We are seeking an experienced Principal Electrical Engineer to provide technical leadership and strategic oversight for the delivery of electrical systems across multiple infrastructure assets within a major rail and tunnelling project environment.
This role will suit a highly experienced engineer with a strong background in electrical engineering design, construction delivery, systems integration, stakeholder management, and multidisciplinary infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will act as the senior electrical authority, leading technical decision-making throughout the project lifecycle from detailed design development through installation, testing, commissioning, and asset handover.
Key Responsibilities
Provide technical leadership for the delivery of electrical systems including HV/LV power distribution, substations, transformers, switchgear, standby power systems, UPS systems, lighting, earthing and bonding, cable containment, fire alarm systems, and associated MEP infrastructure.
Act as the principal electrical engineering authority across multiple project assets, ensuring engineering excellence and compliance with project requirements.
Lead Stage 5 design development and construction integration activities between client teams, design consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and delivery partners.
Review and approve complex technical submissions including electrical calculations, protection studies, load assessments, short circuit studies, coordination studies, drawings, BIM models, and system performance analyses.
Drive engineering governance and ensure compliance with project specifications, industry standards, statutory requirements, and assurance processes.
Lead technical resolution of RFIs, EWNs, NCRs, design changes, technical queries, and interface issues.
Undertake and lead constructability reviews, value engineering initiatives, and risk mitigation activities throughout design and construction phases.
Provide strategic oversight of subcontractors, suppliers, and installation teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant delivery.
Support procurement strategy, technical evaluations, equipment selection, supplier engagement, and approval processes.
Lead development and review of RAMS, ITPs, quality plans, testing strategies, energisation plans, commissioning procedures, and handover documentation.
Monitor project progress, identify engineering risks and opportunities, and provide recommendations to senior project leadership.
Manage complex interfaces across civil, structural, architectural, systems, telecommunications, signalling, traction power, and MEP disciplines.
Chair technical workshops, design reviews, coordination meetings, and stakeholder engagement forums.
Support systems integration, testing, commissioning, energisation, and operational readiness activities.
Mentor and provide technical guidance to electrical engineers, design coordinators, and graduate engineers.
Contribute to engineering best practice, lessons learned, innovation initiatives, and continuous improvement across the programme.
Ensure electrical safety principles are embedded throughout design, installation, testing, commissioning, and operational handover activities.
Required Experience
Degree qualified in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
Significant experience delivering electrical systems on major infrastructure, rail, tunnelling, utilities, transportation, energy, or heavy civil engineering projects.
Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and managing complex stakeholder environments.
Strong technical knowledge of HV/LV electrical distribution systems, substations, switchgear, protection systems, standby power generation, UPS systems, lighting, and electrical building services infrastructure.
Extensive experience in design management, technical assurance, and construction delivery.
Strong understanding of engineering standards, specifications, design verification, and systems assurance processes.
Ability to review and approve complex technical documentation, calculations, drawings, and BIM models.
Experience managing contractor, consultant, and supplier performance.
Strong understanding of QA/QC, testing, commissioning, energisation, and handover processes.
Excellent communication, leadership, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
Strong knowledge of relevant standards including BS 7671, IEC standards, EN standards, and applicable rail or infrastructure electrical requirements.
Desirable Experience
Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards chartership.
Experience working on major rail, tunnelling, or transportation infrastructure projects.
Knowledge of HS2, Network Rail, London Underground, National Grid, or equivalent major infrastructure standards.
Experience with systems integration, assurance, and commissioning of complex infrastructure assets.
Familiarity with BIM coordination, digital engineering, and common data environments.
Experience leading technical governance and engineering assurance reviews.
Experience of HV authorisation processes and electrical safety management systems.
Knowledge of traction power, station electrical systems, or tunnel electrical infrastructure.
Key Attributes
Strong technical leadership and engineering judgement.
Strategic and solutions-focused mindset.
Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive technical decision-making.
Strong commercial, programme, and risk awareness.
Excellent coordination and multidisciplinary interface management skills.
Commitment to quality, safety, and engineering excellence.
Ability to manage multiple workstreams and priorities within a complex project environment.
Strong focus on electrical safety, operational resilience, and asset performance
Salary description
£650.00 - £650.00 per day