Principal Electrical Engineer in Edinburgh

We have an opportunity for a Principal Electrical Engineer to play a key role in delivering high quality, sustainable electrical engineering solutions across multiple projects in the built environment. You will join our Electrical team based in either our Glasgow or Edinburgh office, offering the opportunity to work with both offices and contribute to projects across Scotland and the wider UK.

Our Glasgow office—established in 2016 to provide a local presence for projects—has grown into a hub of sector expertise and knowledge that supports work across the UK. The opening of our Edinburgh office reflects our commitment to strengthening relationships with clients on the East Coast by providing a local base for those projects. This role can be based in either Glasgow or Edinburgh.

We are a recognised leader in the built environment, shaping some of the most ambitious and technically demanding projects across the residential, hospitality, leisure, commercial, and complex engineering sectors. Our work spans cutting‑edge healthcare and research facilities, a broad range of education projects—from primary and secondary schools to further and higher education campuses—high‑performance data centres, critical infrastructure and state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing and technology environments. These projects push boundaries and deliver real‑world impact.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, we combine innovation, technical expertise, and practical delivery to create solutions that are not only robust and reliable, but forward‑thinking and sustainable. Our teams work at the forefront of the industry, collaborating with leading clients across the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally.

Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high‑performing work culture. You will take the lead design role on significant and complex building services projects, owning the design delivery from inception to completion. As the technical lead, you will manage and prioritise the internal Hoare Lea delivery team, coordinate with other disciplines and external consultants, and represent Hoare Lea at client and project meetings.

You will ensure technically excellent, commercially aware and timely delivery while developing client relationships that support future business growth. In this key and varied role, you can expect to:

• Lead the design delivery for significant and complex schemes, taking responsibility for achieving design objectives and technical quality.
• Define and agree the design brief with clients and manage client and consultant relationships professionally.
• Represent Hoare Lea at project meetings and actively promote our services to support client projects and future business.
• Manage, prioritise and motivate the internal project team (including specialist groups); host and chair internal project meetings.
• Delegate, review and check work undertaken by others; contribute to the professional development of team members.
• Monitor project expenditure, costs and resource requirements; report regularly to the team leader.
• Identify, highlight and manage project and commercial risks, including awareness of consultant appointment conditions and procurement impacts.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards, technical accuracy and programme deadlines.
• Share technical knowledge across the business and work collaboratively with other professionals to deliver coordinated building designs.
• Communicate openly and effectively at all levels internally and externally.

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Qualified and recognised in the industry, preferably with Chartered status.
• Proven, in depth technical knowledge in electrical/building services design and applied experience of relevant regulations and design guides.
• Strong understanding of complementary disciplines and experience leading integrated design teams.
• Excellent client facing skills with ability to manage difficult situations calmly and professionally.
• Demonstrable experience leading design teams on complex projects and delivering to demanding timescales.
• Commercial awareness: experience monitoring project costs, identifying commercial risks and contributing to profitable delivery.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple demands.
• Confident communicator — excellent written and spoken English — with experience representing a consultancy externally.
• IT literate with proficiency in industry software (Revit, AutoCAD, Dialux, OM Electrical).
• Committed to continuous professional development and supporting the career growth of others.

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.