CDM Principal Design Engineer

Samuel Knight International; Esher; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the energy/infrastructure sector seeks an experienced CDM Principal Designer to facilitate compliance with safety regulations on projects in Scotland. The role encompasses risk management, stakeholder coordination, and oversight of design processes to enhance project value and safety. Candidates should possess a solid background in construction and relevant certifications, ensuring robust project delivery in line with health and safety standards.

Benefits

25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

Company pension scheme

Learning & development opportunities

Wellbeing support services

Company car or car allowance

Qualifications

• Experience in similar role; strong foundation in construction and design.
• Proficient in risk register development and compliance audits.
• Full UK driving licence for travel across the UK.

Responsibilities

• Lead Principal Designer duties and compliance with CDM 2015.
• Coordinate between Client Teams, Design Teams, and stakeholders.
• Conduct site appraisals and hazard identification.

Skills

Design risk management

Communication

Stakeholder management

Education

NEBOSH General Certificate in Construction Health & Safety

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: CDM Principal Designer / CDM Coordinator – Scotland

Location: Scotland

Employment Type: Full-Time

Seniority Level: Mid to Senior Level

Industry: Energy / Infrastructure

Role Overview

An experienced and competent CDM Principal Designer with a background in design and/or project management is required to support overhead line and substation projects across Scotland. This role involves advising stakeholders during the design and pre-construction phases to ensure full compliance with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

You will lead the implementation of CDM responsibilities, driving risk reduction and promoting effective communication and cooperation from the early design stage through to construction. The position is integral to enhancing value and ensuring regulatory compliance across multiple energy infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake Principal Designer duties as defined by CDM 2015, including site visits and preparation of pre-construction information.

• Act as the primary interface between Client Teams, Design Teams, Principal Contractors, and other stakeholders.

• Ensure designers fulfill their CDM duties and collaborate effectively throughout the project lifecycle.

• Develop and maintain health and safety files for projects.

• Lead design risk reviews, hazard identification, and risk register development.

• Chair Design and Hazard Review meetings, ensuring coordination and compliance are recorded and actioned.

• Manage the flow of information between stakeholders to support timely and informed design decisions.

• Monitor project progress against programme and budget, reporting regularly to internal teams.

• Conduct site appraisals to assess and mitigate design and construction risks.

• Ensure design resources have appropriate competencies and that temporary works are managed correctly.

• Lead design compliance audits and assurance reporting.

Requirements

• Experience in a similar role with a strong foundation in construction, design, and health & safety processes.

• Expertise in design risk management and risk register development.

• Strong technical understanding, ideally within overhead line, substation, or broader energy/infrastructure sectors (experience in other sectors will also be considered).

• In-depth knowledge of CDM 2015 and related health and safety legislation.

• Proficient in MS Office software.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build and manage stakeholder relationships.

• Full UK driving licence (travel across the UK required).

• NEBOSH General Certificate in Construction Health & Safety (or equivalent) .

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays

• Company pension scheme

• Learning & development opportunities

• Wellbeing support services

• Company car or car allowance