Lighting Design Engineer

cobaltrecruitment; Leatherhead; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

cobaltrecruitment are seeking a Street Lighting Design Engineer to join a specialist infrastructure team in Leatherhead. You will produce highway and street lighting designs, coordinate external consultants and internal engineers, and ensure compliance with DMRB, MCHW, ILP, and UK standards across projects.

The role is based in Leatherhead with a hybrid pattern (four days in the office and one day from home each week) and occasional site visits to South East locations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in street/ highway lighting design.
• Experience using Lighting Reality or equivalent software.
• Understanding of DMRB, MCHW, ILP guidance and UK standards.
• Ability to produce and review engineering design docs.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Produce detailed highway and street lighting designs.
• Coordinate external consultants and internal teams.
• Prepare drawings, specifications, calculations and briefs.
• Assure designs comply with relevant standards.
• Support delivery from concept to construction.
• Maintain design trackers and project documentation.

Skills

Street lighting design

Lighting Reality

Highway standards

Engineering documentation

Problem solving

Project coordination

Communication skills

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

ILP Exterior Lighting Diploma

Professional engineering membership

Tools

Lighting Reality

Electrical design software

Job description

Working alongside experienced engineers, external design consultants, contractors and key stakeholders, you will ensure that lighting designs are technically compliant, practical, cost-effective and delivered within agreed project timescales.

The position is primarily based in Leatherhead, offering a hybrid working arrangement of four days in the office and one day working from home each week. Travel to other operational locations across the South East and occasional site visits will also be required.

Key Responsibilities

As a Street Lighting Design Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Producing detailed highway and street lighting designs using Lighting Reality or equivalent specialist lighting design software.
• Undertaking and supporting associated electrical design activities using relevant engineering software.
• Supporting the planning, coordination and delivery of lighting design projects from initial concept through to construction and completion.
• Preparing and reviewing technical drawings, specifications, design calculations, project briefs and engineering documentation.
• Ensuring lighting designs comply with DMRB (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges), MCHW (Manual of Contract Documents for Highway Works), ILP guidance and relevant British and European Standards.
• Coordinating external design consultants and reviewing their technical submissions to ensure accuracy, quality and compliance.
• Working closely with internal engineering teams, contractors and supply chain partners to resolve technical challenges and design-related issues.
• Providing technical support during project delivery, including assisting with engineering queries arising on site.
• Maintaining accurate design trackers, technical registers and project documentation.
• Supporting the preparation and collation of Operations & Maintenance (O&M) manuals and Health & Safety files.
• Liaising with clients, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure clear communication and successful project delivery.
• Keeping up to date with changes in highway lighting legislation, technical standards and industry best practices.

Essential Skills & Experience

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate:

• Proven experience working within street lighting or highway lighting design.
• Practical experience using Lighting Reality or similar lighting design software.
• A good understanding of highway lighting design principles and electrical engineering requirements.
• Knowledge of relevant UK highway design standards, including DMRB, MCHW, ILP guidance and British Standards.
• Experience producing, reviewing and coordinating engineering design documentation.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and engineering requirements.
• Strong problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify and resolve design issues.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects or design activities simultaneously.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, external consultants and contractors.
• A proactive approach to maintaining technical quality, compliance and project deadlines.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• A degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• ILP Exterior Lighting Diploma or equivalent lighting design qualification.
• Previous experience working on major highways, motorway networks or Strategic Road Network projects.
• Experience coordinating or managing external engineering design consultants.
• Experience with electrical design software and associated engineering calculations.
• Membership of a recognised professional engineering institution.
• Professional engineering registration or working towards an appropriate qualification.
• Experience supporting lighting infrastructure projects within a highways maintenance or asset management environment.

Salary & Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• £37,000 - £47,000 annual salary, dependent on experience and qualifications.
• Permanent employment with an established infrastructure organisation.
• Hybrid working - 4 days in the office and 1 day working from home.
• 25 days annual leave.
• Company pension scheme.
• Employee benefits and recognition schemes.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Exposure to major infrastructure projects and technically challenging engineering work.
• The opportunity to work within an experienced, collaborative and supportive engineering team.

Please note that this position does not include a company car or car allowance.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity for a Lighting Design Engineer looking to take the next step in their career within the highways and infrastructure sector.

You will gain exposure to a wide range of street lighting and electrical engineering projects, working on important infrastructure assets while developing your technical expertise and project delivery experience.

The role would suit an engineer who enjoys combining hands‑on technical design with project coordination, problem‑solving and collaboration across engineering disciplines.

Whether you are an established Highway Lighting Design Engineer or an experienced Street Lighting Engineer looking to develop further within major infrastructure projects, we would welcome your application.