Principal Designer (CDM) / Engineering Project Manager
Industry: Engineering & Construction
Location: Midlands (Birmingham-based projects)
Contract Role | Day Rate up to £600
The Green Recruitment Company have an opportunity for an experienced Principal Designer (CDM) / Engineering Project Manager to support engineering and construction projects across the Midlands. This role plays a critical part in embedding health and safety into the design and delivery of complex projects, providing a professional, client-facing consultancy service.
The role
You will take full responsibility for compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, leading health and safety coordination throughout pre-construction and construction phases.
Key responsibilities include:
- Acting as Principal Designer in line with CDM 2015 requirements, ensuring full legal compliance
- Planning, managing, monitoring, and coordinating health & safety during pre-construction
- Identifying, eliminating, and mitigating foreseeable risks through effective design risk management
- Chairing HAZID reviews and ensuring risks are captured, managed, and closed out
- Coordinating with Principal Contractors to review construction methodologies and CDM compliance
- Ensuring designers fulfil their statutory duties and cooperate effectively
- Advising clients on CDM responsibilities and best practice
- Collaborating with contractors, engineers, and stakeholders to embed safety by design
- Maintaining clear and auditable compliance records and documentation
- Developing internal CDM procedures, tools, and templates
- Providing training and guidance on safety-in-design best practice
- Acting as a billable consultancy resource to clients
- Supporting continuous improvement in safety culture and compliance standards
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
- Degree-qualified in Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Health & Safety, or equivalent experience
- NEBOSH Certificate/Diploma or equivalent professional H&S qualification
- Strong working knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015
- Proven experience acting as Principal Designer or in a similar CDM-focused role
- Experience within multi-disciplinary engineering or construction project teams
- Background in client-facing consultancy environments
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent knowledge of UK health & safety legislation
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
- Commercial awareness and experience delivering billable services
- Proactive, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused
- Ability to influence and promote a positive safety culture
Desirable
- Chartered membership (IOSH, ICE, RICS, RIBA, or similar)
- Experience delivering training or mentoring on safety in design