Principal Electrical Design Engineer

Job title | Principal Electrical Design Engineer

Location | Havant or Tamworth

Line Manager I Design Manager

About us

AFECO is an engineering services provider, delivering high quality process and MEICA design and installation projects predominantly across the South of England and Midlands for the water industry. We have excellent inhouse engineering teams capable of delivering all stages of the project cycle, from concept through to commissioning, with a strong focus on process led innovative and robust yet appropriate solutions.

We have a portfolio of varied projects covering both wastewater and clean water projects for planned and reactive projects.

Due to the expansion of our team, we are currently recruiting for a Principal Electrical Design Engineer to work within our multi-disciplinary teams. This is a great opportunity for enthusiastic individuals who fit in with our company values and are keen to develop in a forward-thinking organisation.

Role Purpose

As the Principal Electrical Design Engineer you will provide technical leadership and oversight of electrical engineering design for water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This role leads multidisciplinary teams through feasibility, outline, and detailed design stages, ensuring compliance with industry standards, client expectations, and water-company asset requirements. Your responsibilities will be to ensure the safe, efficient, and innovative design of electrical distribution, control, and power systems across treatment plants and network assets.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Design & Engineering

Lead the electrical design of water industry assets including:

LV and HV distribution systems

Motor control centres (MCCs), variable speed drives (VSDs)

Power system protection and discrimination

ICA/SCADA interfaces (in collaboration with ICA engineers)

Pumping station electrical systems

Treatment works electrical infrastructure

Produce, review, and approve design documents: single-line diagrams, cable calculations, load assessments, control philosophies, electrical schedules, and technical specifications.

Ensure designs align with CDM, BS7671, IEC/SI standards, WIMES, and individual water-company standards.

Carry out electrical fault level studies, protection grading, and energy efficiency analysis where required.

Project Delivery

Act as the electrical technical lead on multi-disciplinary projects across all design stages.

Undertake optioneering, feasibility studies, and value engineering to determine robust, cost-effective solutions.

Provide technical input during procurement, supplier evaluations, FAT/SAT, and commissioning support.

Coordinate with process, mechanical, civil, and ICA design teams to ensure integrated MEICA designs.

Leadership & Collaboration

Mentor and support the development of electrical engineers and designers within the team.

Lead design reviews, HAZOP/HAZID workshops, and client meetings.

Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including water utility clients, contractors, and suppliers.

Drive best practice, innovation, and continuous improvement in electrical engineering processes.

Quality, Compliance & Governance

Ensure design outputs meet ISO 9001 quality requirements and water industry regulatory standards and client specifications

Ensure electrical designs adhere to safety standards and good engineering practice, including compliance with:

BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) current edition

EN 61439 (Switchgear & Controlgear)

WIMES specifications

DSEAR/ATEX where applicable

Support digital engineering development (BIM, 3D modelling, asset information delivery).

Skills & Experience Required

Essential

Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent; Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working toward Chartership.

Extensive experience in electrical design for water and/or wastewater treatment infrastructure.

Strong understanding of UK water utility standards and regulatory environments.

Proven ability to lead teams on complex multi-disciplinary design projects.

Proficiency with electrical design software tools (Solidworks, CAD platforms).

Strong technical writing skills and the ability to produce high-quality documentation.

Desirable

Experience with AMP capital delivery programmes and framework delivery.

Knowledge of ICA/controls principles and ability to collaborate effectively with ICA specialists.

Familiarity with sustainability, energy optimisation, and low-carbon design principles.

Experience of site inspections, electrical installation quality checks, and commissioning.

Personal Attributes

Strong leadership and stakeholder-management skills.

Proactive, organised, and technically curious.

Excellent communication and decision-making ability.

Commitment to safety, quality, and collaboration.

Typical Deliverables

Electrical load studies, SLDs, and equipment sizing calculations.

Cable routing layouts, cable schedules, protection and discrimination studies.

Technical specifications, tender documentation, and scope definitions.

FAT/SAT documentation, inspection reports, and commissioning support notes.

Risk assessments, HAZOP input, and design review outputs.

Salary and benefits

Car allowance

Medicash plan

Life insurance

Benefits portal

Company pension

26days holiday (plus bank holidays)

At AFECO, we value our employee’s and encourage and support them to development themselves and their career through training and progression. We offer the opportunity to work on a range of project types and size in the water sector including our own internally developed products and solutions. We are a privately owned business with a friendly and open culture and are dedicated to creating and maintaining and workforce that is highly skilled and motivated. As a Company we are committed to equal opportunities for all and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, sex, disability or age