Principal Electrical Engineer - Bournemouth or Reading

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield. We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. In joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.

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 Bournemouth or Reading office. With more than 45 years’ presence on the south coast, we’ve developed deep commercial-sector expertise and long-standing relationships locally and beyond. Reading is a thriving town experiencing rapid growth across many sectors, and our teams are delivering transformational, sustainable projects.

We’re 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, high-performance data centres, critical infrastructure and state-of-the-art manufacturing and technology environments. Driven by a commitment to excellence, we combine innovation, technical expertise, and practical delivery to create solutions that are robust, reliable, forward-thinking and sustainable.

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; 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.
• 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, please let us know.