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- Tasks: Lead complex civil engineering projects and drive innovation in design and construction.
- Company: Join a leading National Contractor known for its ambitious and supportive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, company car, healthcare, and 27 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in civil engineering while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management; chartered status preferred.
- Other info: Great career progression and training opportunities in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
My client is a leading National Contractor that specialise in both Civil Engineering and Building. They are currently searching for a Civils biased Design Manager to be based out of their offices in Hampshire.
Sectors:
- Highways & Bridges
- Energy Sector
- Marine & Coastal
- Ministry of Defence Works
- Public Realm Works
- Earthworks
- And much more
This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the UK's fastest-growing contractors as a Principal Engineer to lead on complex civil engineering projects across their growing portfolio. This role is ideal if you're looking to work in a supportive but ambitious environment with clear career progression and proactive employee engagement.
Job Purpose: Lead the technical delivery of complex civil engineering projects across the company's portfolio, ensuring excellence in design, construction methodology, and risk management. The Principal Engineer acts as a strategic advisor, technical authority, and mentor, driving innovation, quality, and commercial success.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead engineering input across preconstruction stages — from early feasibility and outline design through to tender submission and handover to delivery teams.
- Provide technical leadership on bids, developing construction methodologies, sequencing, and risk mitigation strategies that maximise value and deliverability.
- Review and challenge designs through buildability reviews, value engineering, and technical risk assessments to ensure compliance, innovation, and cost efficiency.
- Develop and approve temporary and permanent works solutions in collaboration with designers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
- Champion sustainable and low carbon engineering approaches, integrating SuDS, materials efficiency, and modern methods of construction.
- Support tender teams with technical scope writing, programme inputs, and responses to client technical queries.
- Act as technical advisor during client and consultant engagement meetings, clearly communicating engineering strategies and design rationale.
- Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned from completed projects and embedding them into preconstruction processes.
- Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and learning within the preconstruction team.
- Fulfil the role of Principal Designer under CDM Regulations 2015, where required.
- Represent the company at client presentations, design reviews, and industry events to promote our technical capabilities and innovation.
Key Requirements (Essential):
- Strong technical knowledge of engineering practices and construction standards.
- Chartered Engineer or working towards (CEng) status or equivalent (ICE, IStructE, or similar).
- Demonstrable experience in CDM compliance, risk management, and technical assurance.
- Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, or similar).
- Excellent communication skills — able to translate complex technical detail into clear, actionable guidance.
- Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams, including mentoring junior engineers and managing workflow.
- Experience in client liaison, stakeholder engagement, and technical reporting.
Desirable Requirements:
- Experience in the energy, renewables.
- Strong understanding of buildability, temporary works, and construction sequencing.
- Knowledge of environmental permitting, flood risk, or water-sensitive design.
- Ideal for candidates with a background in design consultancy looking to transition into a comparable role with a contractor.
Qualifications:
- Degree or HNC/HND in Civil Engineering or Construction Management (or equivalent).
Benefits:
- Competitive basic salary
- Company car or car allowance
- Company Pension Scheme
- Healthcare
- 27 days holiday
- Training and progression opportunities
- Annual bonus
- And much more
Principal Design Engineer in Cardiff employer: Fawkes & Reece London
Contact Detail:
Fawkes & Reece London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer in Cardiff
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Principal Design Engineer role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your technical expertise and experience in civil engineering. We want to see how you can lead complex projects and drive innovation, so share specific examples of your past work that demonstrate your capabilities.
✨Be Prepared for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Research the company, understand their projects, and think about how your skills align with their needs. We recommend preparing some thoughtful questions to ask them too; it shows you’re genuinely interested and engaged.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer in Cardiff
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Design Engineer role. Highlight your experience in civil engineering, especially in areas like highways and bridges, and showcase any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our ambitious environment. Don’t forget to mention your technical leadership experience and your approach to mentoring junior engineers.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We’re looking for someone with strong technical knowledge and proficiency in design software. Make sure to include specific examples of how you've used tools like AutoCAD or Civil 3D in your previous roles. This will help us see your expertise in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
How to prepare for a job interview at Fawkes & Reece London
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge of engineering practices and construction standards. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those that involved complex civil engineering challenges. This will show your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Design Engineer, you'll be expected to lead multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully mentored junior engineers or managed workflows in previous roles. Highlight your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, as this is crucial for client and stakeholder engagement.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, particularly around risk management and buildability reviews. Think of scenarios where you had to develop construction methodologies or mitigate risks effectively. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process during the interview.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to discuss how you've captured lessons learned from past projects and how you've implemented them into preconstruction processes. This shows your commitment to innovation and quality, which aligns with the company's values. Bring examples of how you've driven improvements in your previous roles.
