Principal Design Engineer

JR United Kingdom; Coventry; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in infrastructure and environmental projects is seeking a Principal Design Engineer in Coventry. This role involves leading multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring high standards of safety and sustainability, and mentoring engineers. Join a collaborative environment with excellent benefits and the opportunity to drive meaningful infrastructure change.

Benefits

28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Leading pension scheme with double-matched contributions

Electric vehicle scheme

Family-friendly policies and two paid volunteering days per year

Qualifications

• Experience delivering large infrastructure or treatment projects.
• Solid understanding of industry design standards and regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Leading the design process from early feasibility through to detailed design.
• Ensuring designs meet regulatory, technical, and operational requirements.
• Mentoring and supporting engineers across disciplines.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Degree in engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, or process)

Chartered status or working towards (e.g., ICE, IMechE, IET, IChemE)

Job description

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Principal Design Engineer – Infrastructure & Environmental Projects

? Location: Coventry

Are you a senior engineering professional ready to lead the delivery of complex infrastructure and environmental design projects?

Our client, a nationally recognised organisation with a major capital investment programme aimed at improving treatment facilities, environmental outcomes, and long-term infrastructure resilience. With a growing internal design capability and over 300 technical specialists, we’re looking for a Principal Design Engineer to help shape and deliver innovative, sustainable solutions across a diverse portfolio.

? What You’ll Be Doing

As a Principal Design Engineer, you’ll lead multidisciplinary design teams and provide technical direction on major infrastructure and treatment-related projects. Whether your expertise is in civil, mechanical, electrical, or process engineering, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring designs meet the highest standards for safety, performance, and sustainability.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the design process from early feasibility through to detailed design
• Ensuring designs meet regulatory, technical, and operational requirements
• Mentoring and supporting engineers across disciplines
• Championing innovation and sustainable engineering practices
• Working collaboratively with internal teams and external delivery partners
• Acting as a senior technical authority within your field of expertise

? What You’ll Bring

We’re seeking an experienced design engineer who brings both deep technical knowledge and strong leadership capability.

You’ll also have:

• A degree in engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical, or process) or a related field
• Chartered status or working towards (e.g., ICE, IMechE, IET, IChemE)
• Experience delivering large infrastructure or treatment projects
• A solid understanding of industry design standards and regulatory frameworks
• Proven ability to lead and influence multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

Experience within the water or utilities sectors is advantageous but not essential — your ability to lead and deliver high-quality designs is what counts.

? What’s In It For You?

This role offers far more than a job — it's a chance to help drive meaningful infrastructure change while progressing your career in a collaborative, forward-thinking environment. Benefits include:

• 28 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days)
• Leading pension scheme with double-matched contributions (up to 15%)
• Electric vehicle scheme and exclusive retail discounts
• Family-friendly policies and two paid volunteering days per year

Lead the design of a better future.

Apply now and bring your expertise to projects that make a real-world difference.