Principal Civil Engineer

Turner Lovell; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 77,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner Lovell is seeking a Principal Civil Design Engineer to lead civil design and delivery of electricity substation projects across the UK, with a focus on DNO infrastructure. You will oversee civil and structural deliverables and coordinate with electrical engineers, contractors and clients to ensure safe and cost‑effective designs.

A Civil or Structural Engineering degree and substantial experience in the electricity sector are required, along with proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D or Revit.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or closely related discipline.
• Extensive experience in civil/structural design for electricity transmission and distribution.
• Strong knowledge of substation civil infrastructure and relevant standards (BS, Eurocodes).
• Experience leading design packages and reviewing technical deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil design and technical delivery of electricity substation projects in the UK distribution network.
• Oversee preparation and review of drawings, calculations, specifications and reports.
• Coordinate civil design with electrical, structural and other disciplines to ensure integrated solutions.
• Ensure designs comply with project requirements, standards and client objectives.
• Provide guidance to engineers and technicians and manage design risks and changes.
• Liaise with clients, contractors and stakeholders to deliver design deliverables.

Skills

Leadership

Client coordination

Project management

Multidisciplinary coordination

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Revit

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Revit

Job description

Principal Civil Design Engineer - Distribution

Location: West Yorkshire

Salary: up to £85,000 (base)

Turner Lovell is recruiting for a Principal Civil Design Engineer to join an established engineering consultancy specialising in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. This position offers the opportunity to take a leading role in the civil design and delivery of electrical substation projects across the UK, with a particular focus on DNO infrastructure.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, oversee civil engineering deliverables and work closely with electrical engineers, contractors and clients to ensure safe, practical and commercially effective design solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the civil engineering design and technical delivery of electricity substation projects, primarily within the UK distribution network.
• Oversee the preparation and review of engineering drawings, design calculations, technical specifications and reports.
• Deliver civil and structural design solutions covering reinforced concrete foundations, transformer bunds, steel-framed buildings, masonry structures, drainage systems, access roads and associated infrastructure.
• Coordinate civil design activities with electrical plant, protection and control, cable, structural and other engineering disciplines.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant DNO specifications, industry standards, regulatory requirements and project objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight to engineers and technicians, reviewing design deliverables and supporting their professional development.
• Manage design risks, resolve technical challenges and ensure designs are practical, buildable and cost-effective.
• Liaise with clients, contractors and project stakeholders to manage technical requirements, design changes and project deliverables.
• Support construction teams by responding to technical queries, RFIs and site-related design issues.

Key Requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Significant experience in civil or structural engineering design within the electricity transmission and distribution sector.
• Strong technical knowledge of substation civil infrastructure, including reinforced concrete, structural steelwork, foundations, drainage and associated works.
• Demonstrable experience leading civil engineering design packages and reviewing technical deliverables.
• Familiarity with relevant British Standards, Eurocodes and electricity network design requirements.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary engineering activities and manage competing project priorities.
• Strong communication skills, with experience engaging directly with clients, contractors and engineering teams.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit or other relevant engineering design software.