Principal Design Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Maidstone; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading civil engineering contractor is looking for a Principal Design Engineer to join their team near Henfield. This role involves delivering innovative designs, supporting junior designers, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Civil/Structural Engineering and relevant Chartered status, alongside experience in Eurocode and geotechnical design. Offering a salary of £65,000 - £75,000 plus excellent benefits including private healthcare and a performance bonus.

Benefits

Company Car / Allowance

25 Days holiday + BH

Pension up to 10% match

Private Healthcare

Performance Bonus

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering and Chartered status required.
• Strong knowledge of Eurocode, CDM, and Temporary Works.
• Experience in design of temporary works including foundations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outline designs at tender stage.
• Guide and support junior designers.
• Produce design documents meeting QHSE standards.

Skills

Eurocode knowledge

Temporary Works Coordinator experience

Commercial understanding of NEC4 & JCT contracts

Skilled in AutoCAD

BIM proficiency

Geotechnical/ground stability design

Structural design competency

Education

Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering + Chartered

Tools

AutoCAD

BIM

Common Data Environments

Job description

Job Description

A leading civil engineering contractor is looking for a Principal Design Engineer to join their growing team near Henfield offering a competitive salary of up to £75,000, plus excellent benefits. The company delivers complex projects in water, infrastructure, and coastal protection — managing schemes from concept to completion.

This is an exciting chance to shape innovative designs, advise on geotechnical investigations, Temporary Works Design, develop BIM models, and drive smart new techniques — all within a business that values safety, wellbeing, and professional growth.

Principal Design Engineer Job Overview

• Support the delivery of outline designs at tender stage, temporary works and permanent works designs at contract stage
• Follow company procedures, keep your manager informed, and suggest smarter ways of working.
• Deliver creative and robust temporary and permanent works designs from bid to build.
• Guide and support junior designers while managing input from external specialists.
• Check and sign off designs to ensure they’re accurate, safe, and compliant.
• Build strong relationships with clients and partners to enhance designs and uncover new opportunities.
• Produce clear, high-quality design documents that meet QHSE and CDM standards.
• Drive innovation by championing BIM, digital modelling, and cutting-edge tools.
• Take an active role in shaping the company’s success and future direction.
• Stay sharp and up to date with the latest design technologies and software.
• Make BIM and Common Data Environments central to how every project runs.

Principal Design Engineer Job Requirements

• Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering + Chartered (ICE or equivalent).
• Strong Eurocode, CDM, and Temporary Works Coordinator experience.
• Solid commercial understanding (NEC4 & JCT contracts).
• Skilled in AutoCAD, BIM, CDEs, and geotechnical/ground stability design.
• Technically competent in Structural Design & Geotechnical works
• Knowledge of Building Information Modelling, CDEs and information management systems
• Design experience in temporary works design, including shoring, foundations, and ground stability analyses.
• Experience in interpreting ground information for soil stability analyses and current piling practices.

Principal Design Engineer Salary & Benefits

• Salary – £65,000 -£75,000 Dependent on experience
• Company Car / Allowance
• 25 Days holiday + BH
• Pension up to 10% match
• Private Healthcare
• Performance Bonus