At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex construction engineering projects and deliver innovative solutions.
- Company: Join Kier, a top engineering consultancy focused on inclusivity and innovation.
- Benefits: Tailored benefits, flexible hours, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and mentoring.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-profile infrastructure projects while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Chartered Engineer with experience in temporary works design and project leadership.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Company Description
Jobs for Humanity is collaborating with Kier to build an inclusive and just employment ecosystem. We support individuals coming from all walks of life.
We're looking for a Principal Engineer to join our Design Team based in Birmingham. In this role you will lead the delivery of complex construction engineering services, providing safe, compliant and innovative solutions while supporting project teams, developing people and enhancing Kier's technical capability.
Kier Design is a top‑25 engineering consultancy delivering construction‑focused, buildable solutions across the built environment. With access to Kier's £11bn+ project pipeline, we work on some of the UK's most complex and high‑profile infrastructure projects.
Location: Birmingham
Hours: 40 hours per week - some flexibility on hours available if desired, just let us know when you speak to us.
What will you be responsible for?
- Leading the delivery of complex construction engineering services, including temporary works design, checking and technical assurance.
- Acting as Project Lead, managing technical scope, programme, budget and client relationships from bid through to delivery.
- Overseeing and contributing to design outputs such as calculations, drawings, reports and risk assessments, ensuring compliance with CDM, SHEMS and QMS.
- Identifying technical risk, delivering alternative solutions and value engineering to improve buildability and commercial outcomes.
- Providing technical leadership, mentoring engineers, supporting training initiatives and promoting best practice across Kier Design.
What are we looking for?
The role of Principal Engineer is ideal for you if you bring:
- Chartered Engineer or member of a relevant professional institution (e.g. CEng MICE) with significant post‑qualification experience.
- Strong background in temporary works design, integrated with permanent works where required.
- Proven experience leading projects, managing multidisciplinary teams and engaging confidently with clients and stakeholders.
- Sound commercial awareness, with experience supporting bids, fees, programme and budget management.
- A collaborative leader who values safety, quality, innovation and continuous professional development.
Rewards and benefits
We're proud to be able to offer our brilliant people a wide variety of benefits that you can tailor to your needs.
Diversity and inclusion
Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a huge priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies.
As a Disability Confident employer, we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this role will be offered an interview. We look forward to seeing your application to #joinkier.
Principal Engineer in Birmingham employer: Jobs for Humanity
Hull Building Society is an excellent employer that values its employees by fostering a supportive work culture and providing opportunities for professional growth. With a focus on efficient office operations, employees can expect a collaborative environment where their contributions are recognised, alongside competitive benefits that enhance work-life balance in a community-focused location.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer in Birmingham
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Jobs for Humanity, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Principal Engineer at Jobs for Humanity.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobs for Humanity
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
