Principal Design Engineer - Senior Design Engineer in Blackburn

Principal Design Engineer - Senior Design Engineer in Blackburn

Blackburn Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative engineering projects and mentor a dynamic design team.
  • Company: Join VolkerStevin, a leader in civil engineering solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, private medical care, and flexible leave options.
  • Other info: Inclusive culture with strong focus on employee development and well-being.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in diverse sectors while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: Engineering degree and 8+ years of relevant experience required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

Part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, VolkerStevin is an industry-leading civil engineering business, providing complex and innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors including maritime, flood risk management, defence, energy, water and regeneration. Collaborating with, and drawing on the specialist skills of the group's business units we deliver a truly integrated, multidisciplinary service.

VolkerStevin have a fantastic opportunity for a Principal Design Engineer to join our Design team at Preston. We have a large and varied order book of projects, are you ready for your next challenge?

The role of the Principal Design Engineer is to provide engineering support at all stages of the tendering and construction process for VolkerStevin Infrastructure Limited, VolkerStevin Specialist Businesses and other VWUK businesses as required.

The Principal Design Engineer supports the Head of Engineering and Engineering Manager in delivering the department's strategy.

Role Purpose

This role supports the Engineering Department in delivering strategic objectives, ensuring high technical standards, and providing expert oversight of temporary and permanent works. The position acts as a technical authority, mentor, and departmental representative across multiple projects.

Key Responsibilities
  • Engineering Strategy & Development
    • Identify improvement opportunities and support delivery of departmental strategy.
    • Assist senior leadership in achieving engineering goals.
  • Temporary Works Management
    • Support training delivery for Q25-VS procedures.
    • Help develop competency of TWCs and TWSs.
  • Design Production
    • Approve and check design deliverables.
    • Review internal and external temporary works designs.
    • Produce complex temporary and permanent works designs, including calculations, drawings, risk assessments, and technical reports.
  • Draughting & Drawing Oversight
    • Produce sketches and drawings when required.
    • Communicate drawing requirements to CAD Technicians and check outputs.
    • Ensure compliance with VS Engineering CAD standards.
  • Technical Support
    • Provide technical advice and produce technical reports.
    • Support risk management and carry out inspections.
    • Share knowledge and support staff development.
  • Quality Management
    • Conduct informal audits during site visits.
    • Support resolution of quality issues and non-conformances.
  • Commercial Support
    • Provide feedback on consultant performance.
    • Prepare design fee estimates and programme durations.
    • Support commercial teams with technical input.
  • Consultant Coordination
    • Act as liaison between project teams and consultants.
    • Agree scopes, obtain quotations, draft Task Orders.
    • Monitor progress and review consultant deliverables.
  • Workload & Programme Management
    • Maintain department programme and Kanban Board.
    • Attend weekly resource meetings.
    • Monitor progress and raise delivery risks.
  • People Development
    • Assist in competency assessment and coaching of engineering staff.
    • Support a positive, inclusive team culture.
    • Act as ICE Supervising Civil Engineer for graduates and apprentices.
  • Project Interaction & Communication
    • Maintain awareness of major projects.
    • Act as Engineering Department Representative (EDR).
    • Attend meetings and undertake site visits.
About you
  • Relevant Engineering Degree
  • Chartered / Incorporated status with the ICE, IStructE or other relevant professional body.
  • Minimum 8 years industry experience
  • Broad range of temporary and/or permanent works design experience

If your past experience doesn't match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

VolkerStevin is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure. By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerStevin are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees. We offer a range of benefits, including:

  • Competitive salary
  • Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
  • Option to buy additional annual leave
  • Private medical care
  • Pension
  • Life Assurance
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
  • Training and development opportunities - comprehensive skills-based training
  • Family friendly policies including enhanced maternity benefits
  • Employee Assistance programme
  • Mental health, physical health, and financial support
  • 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

Principal Design Engineer - Senior Design Engineer in Blackburn employer: VolkerWessels UK

VolkerStevin, part of the VolkerWessels UK Group, is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in civil engineering. Located in Preston, we offer a supportive work culture with a strong emphasis on employee development, competitive benefits, and a commitment to fairness and inclusion. Join us to be part of a dynamic team where your expertise will be valued and your career can flourish through diverse projects and comprehensive training opportunities.

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Contact Details:

VolkerWessels UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Design Engineer - Senior Design Engineer in Blackburn

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work at VolkerStevin or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and project experience. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past roles, especially in temporary and permanent works design. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!

Tip Number 3

Showcase your passion for engineering during interviews. Talk about your commitment to quality management and how you’ve supported team development in previous roles. This will help us see that you’re not just looking for a job, but a place to grow and contribute.

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 VolkerStevin.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Design Engineer - Senior Design Engineer in Blackburn

Engineering Degree
Chartered / Incorporated status with ICE or IStructE
Temporary Works Design
Permanent Works Design
Risk Assessments
Technical Report Writing
CAD Standards Compliance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Principal Design Engineer role. Highlight your engineering degree, relevant experience, and any projects that showcase your design capabilities.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for VolkerStevin. Share specific examples of your past work and how it aligns with our mission to deliver innovative engineering solutions.

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your technical expertise in temporary and permanent works design. We want to see how you can contribute to our engineering strategy and support our team in achieving high technical standards.

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’re considered for this exciting opportunity with VolkerStevin.

How to prepare for a job interview at VolkerWessels UK

Know Your Engineering Fundamentals

Brush up on your engineering principles, especially those related to temporary and permanent works design. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've applied these concepts, as this will show your depth of knowledge and experience.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Principal Design Engineer, you'll be expected to mentor others and support team development. Think of examples where you've led a project or helped a colleague grow in their role, and be ready to share these during the interview.

Understand the Company’s Projects

Familiarise yourself with VolkerStevin's recent projects and their approach to engineering solutions. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its work.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions that assess your problem-solving skills and design capabilities. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as this will help interviewers understand how you approach complex engineering challenges.