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- Tasks: Lead a talented team in shaping critical electrical design projects from concept to completion.
- Company: Join KBS Maritime, a dynamic joint venture between BAE Systems and KBR.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, enhanced pension, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the UK's National Defence and Security through innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Electrical Engineering and significant experience in electrical design required.
- Other info: Work in a unique environment at HM Naval Base, Portsmouth with excellent career growth.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Location: HM Naval Base, Portsmouth
Service Area: Asset Management, Design
Hours of Work: 37 hours per week
Salary: Competitive
At KBS Maritime, we deliver asset management, facilities management and energy solutions across maritime and defence environments, and we pride ourselves on empowering our people to grow, innovate, and succeed.
Join KBS as a Principal Electrical Design Manager and lead a talented team shaping critical infrastructure projects from concept through to completion. This is a high-impact, highly autonomous role where you’ll steer design strategy, mentor engineers, and bring innovative solutions to life across multi-discipline projects.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and develop the Electrical Design Team, providing clear direction on priorities, programme, and technical strategy.
- Oversee the delivery of RIBA design stages, ensuring work meets client requirements, regulations, and KBS technical governance.
- Act as the technical authority for electrical designs, signing off calculations, technical specifications, drawings, and full design packages.
- Collaborate closely with clients, project managers, and stakeholders to shape detailed Statements of Requirements and drive project success.
- Champion continuous improvement, maintaining and enhancing electrical standards, processes, and team capability.
- Manage team training plans, budgets, mentoring, and overall resource allocation.
- Ensure designs align with strategic goals including safety, legislative compliance, and Net Zero Carbon objectives.
- Present design reviews, support tender processes, and contribute to high-quality project handover and Safe to Operate documentation.
About You
- Degree/HND in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).
- Significant and proven experience in electrical design within a relevant industry.
- Chartered (or working towards) is highly desirable.
- Strong leadership experience with the ability to mentor, motivate, and develop engineers.
- Skilled in LV/HV systems (up to 33kV), building services, and the full engineering lifecycle.
- Confident working directly with clients and presenting complex technical information in a clear, engaging way.
- Logical, organised, and proactive—someone who thrives in an autonomous role.
You’ll get
- A competitive salary
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Holiday purchase/sell scheme, following successful completion of probation period
- Enhanced pension scheme
- Access to our internal benefits and discounts programme for all colleagues
- Cycle to work scheme
- Group income protection
- Flexible parental benefits (if applicable)
- Access to our Internal employee assistance network
- Continued professional career development
- Kudos reward opportunities (internal achievements scheme)
- Occupational Health & Wellbeing Services
- 50% off entry into the Historic Dockyard
Why join us
At KBS Maritime, we’re an exciting and dynamic joint venture between industry leaders BAE Systems and KBR. Our team is dedicated to providing Asset Management, Infrastructure Management, Energy Solutions and Alongside Services at His Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth (HMNBP), the beating heart of the Royal Navy.
With almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy's surface ships stationed at HMNBP, working with KBS Maritime means being at the forefront of innovation and progress. We operate in a unique and fascinating environment, with a mix of historic dockyards and cutting-edge infrastructure that’s unlike any other.
By delivering state of the art solutions to the Royal Navy, KBS Maritime offers the chance to work on projects that make a real difference to the safety, security, and sustainability of the UK’s National Defence and Security. But it’s not just about the work – at KBS Maritime, we believe in the value of our people. We have the ethos of a small business, which means we value and empower our team members to succeed.
Principal Design Manager (Electrical) in Portsmouth employer: KBS Maritime
Contact Detail:
KBS Maritime Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Design Manager (Electrical) in Portsmouth
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching KBS Maritime and understanding their projects. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their mission and values. This will help you stand out as a candidate who truly gets what they’re about.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your leadership experience and technical expertise clearly, as these are key for the Principal Design Manager role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at KBS Maritime.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Manager (Electrical) in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in electrical design and leadership, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects that showcase your skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for KBS Maritime. Mention your passion for innovation and how you can contribute to the team’s success.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role involves overseeing technical designs, be sure to highlight your expertise in LV/HV systems and your experience with RIBA design stages. This will show us you’re ready to take on the challenges of the job.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at KBS Maritime
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your electrical design knowledge, especially around LV/HV systems and the engineering lifecycle. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they align with KBS Maritime's focus on innovation and safety.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Design Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided engineers in the past, and be ready to discuss your approach to developing training plans and managing resources.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since collaboration is key in this role, think about how you've worked with clients and project managers before. Be prepared to share experiences where you shaped Statements of Requirements or drove project success through effective communication.
✨Align with Their Values
KBS Maritime values continuous improvement and sustainability. Familiarise yourself with their Net Zero Carbon objectives and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to these goals. Showing that you share their commitment to safety and legislative compliance will set you apart.
