CDM - Principal Design Engineer

Jacobs; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Collaborative and supportive team environment

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a CDM expert to lead safety design initiatives across major infrastructure projects in the UK. This role requires strong knowledge of CDM 2015, confidence to influence safety practices, and the ability to build relationships with clients. As part of a collaborative team, you will ensure that safety is integrated into every project phase while supporting project teams in fulfilling their CDM responsibilities.

Jacobs offers flexible working arrangements and an inclusive workplace culture, welcoming diverse applicants committed to safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Established practical knowledge of CDM 2015.
• Experience in a Principal Designer or CDM advisory role required.
• Background in construction, engineering, or health & safety necessary.

Responsibilities

• Act as the CDM expert across multiple projects.
• Create a culture of safer design, identifying risks early.
• Lead integration of governance and compliance in CDM.
• Support and develop project teams in fulfilling CDM roles.
• Build strong relationships as a trusted advisor to clients.
• Drive continuous improvement in CDM practices.

Skills

Established practical knowledge of CDM 2015

Experience in Principal Designer / CDM advisory role

Confidence to challenge and influence

Background in construction, engineering, or health & safety

NEBOSH (or equivalent) certification

Job description

Role Overview

At Jacobs, we challenge today to reinvent tomorrow by solving critical problems for cities, environments, and infrastructure. This role offers real influence on safety design in major infrastructure projects across the UK.

What You'll Get

• Real influence – help remove risk at design stage, not just report it
• High‑impact projects – work across water, infrastructure, and environmental programmes
• Autonomy & trust – be the expert people turn to
• Career growth – build your profile as a go‑to CDM specialist
• A collaborative and supportive team

Your Remit

• Act as the CDM expert across multiple projects, guiding teams from concept to delivery
• Create and embed a culture of safer design, identifying risks early and addressing them as standard practice
• Lead integration of governance and compliance into every phase of CDM through robust audits and reviews
• Support and develop project teams in fulfilling their CDM roles, building capability and confidence
• Build strong relationships and become a trusted advisor to clients
• Drive continuous improvement using insights from audits and project experience to strengthen CDM practices across the business
• Strengthen client maturity in CDM, supporting them to move beyond compliance toward best‑in‑class safety leadership

Requirements

• Established practical knowledge of CDM 2015
• Experience in a Principal Designer / CDM advisory role
• Confidence to challenge, influence, and collaborate
• Background in construction, engineering, or health & safety
• NEBOSH (or equivalent) certification

Benefits and Work Environment

Flexible working arrangements are available. We value safety, flexibility, and inclusive culture. As a disability‑confident employer, we welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working, with reasonable adjustments available throughout the recruitment process.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Jacobs is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds. We commit to providing a fair hiring process irrespective of disability, age, gender, race, religion, or other protected characteristics.