Principal Design Engineer

Position: Principal Design Engineer (Permanent)
My client is a leading National Contractor that specialise in both Civil Engineering and Building.

They are currently searching for a Civils biased Design Manager to be based out of their offices in Hampshire.

The company specialises in the following sectors

Highways & Bridges

Energy Sector

Marine & Coastal

Ministry of Defence Works

Public Realm Works

Earthworks

And much more

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 their 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 the company’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.

Represent the company at client presentations, design reviews, and industry events to promote our technical capabilities and innovation.

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.

Excellent communication skills — able to translate complex technical detail into clear, actionable guidance

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

Experience in client liaison, stakeholder engagement, and technical reporting

Desirable requirements:

Experience in the energy, renewables.

Strong understanding of buildability, temporary works, and construction sequencing

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

Ideal for candidates with a background in design consultancy looking to transition into a comparable role with a contractor.

Qualifications:

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

Benefits:

Competitive basic salary

Company car or car allowance

Company Pension Scheme Healthcare

27 days holiday

Training and progression opportunities

Annual bonus

And much more