Principal Engineer

Principal Engineer

Bridgend

Permanent salary + benefits package

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing contractors as a Principal Engineer to lead on complex civil engineering projects across our growing portfolio.

This role is ideal if you’re looking to work in a supportive but ambitious environment with clear career progression and proactive employee engagement.

Job Purpose

* Lead the technical delivery of complex civil engineering projects across Knights Brown’s portfolio, ensuring excellence in design, construction methodology, and risk management.

* The Principal Engineer acts as a strategic advisor, technical authority, and mentor, driving innovation, quality, and commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

* Lead engineering input across preconstruction stages — from early feasibility and outline design through to tender submission and handover to delivery teams.

* Provide technical leadership on bids, developing construction methodologies, sequencing, and risk mitigation strategies that maximise value and deliverability.

* Review and challenge designs through buildability reviews, value engineering, and technical risk assessments to ensure compliance, innovation, and cost efficiency.

* Develop and approve temporary and permanent works solutions in collaboration with designers, subcontractors, and suppliers.

* Champion sustainable and low-carbon engineering approaches, integrating SuDS, materials efficiency, and modern methods of construction.

* Support tender teams with technical scope writing, programme inputs, and responses to client technical queries.

* Act as technical advisor during client and consultant engagement meetings, clearly communicating engineering strategies and design rationale.

* Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned from completed projects and embedding them into preconstruction processes.

* Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and learning within the preconstruction team.

* Fulfil the role of Principal Designer under CDM Regulations 2015, where required.

Key Requirements (Essential)

* Strong technical knowledge of engineering practices and construction standards.

* Chartered Engineer or working towards (CEng) status or equivalent (ICE, IStruct

E, or similar)

* Demonstrable experience in CDM compliance, risk management, and technical assurance

* Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, or similar.

* Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams, including mentoring junior engineers and managing workflow

* Experience in client liaison, stakeholder engagement, and technical reporting

Desirable:

* Experience in the energy, renewables.

* Strong understanding of buildability, temporary works, and construction sequencing

* Knowledge of environmental permitting, flood risk, or water-sensitive design

* Qualifications Degree or HNC/HND in Civil Engineering or Construction Management (or equivalent).

If you are interested and want further details, please don’t hesitate to get in touch