Principal Electrical Building Services Engineer

Arup; West of England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Arup Bristol is seeking a Principal Electrical Building Services Engineer to lead high-profile multidisciplinary projects, guiding engineers, collaborating with building physicists, sustainability and BIM teams, and ensuring design excellence and environmental responsibility.

You'll drive technical quality, manage project delivery and client engagement, mentor junior staff, and contribute to Arup's digital transformation and net-zero agenda.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical, Building Services or Architectural Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status via IET or CIBSE.
• Extensive experience in winning and delivering projects.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams including external consultants.
• Strong awareness of sector-specific legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge and interest in sustainable building design for energy and carbon.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership of multidisciplinary design teams and collaborate with external consultants.
• Lead client meetings to understand needs and deliver value.
• Oversee project delivery and financial performance, reporting to the Project Director.
• Nurture and mentor engineers to grow their skills.
• Contribute to Arup’s digital transformation and integrated design approaches.

Skills

Technical leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Sustainable design

Project oversight

Education

Degree in Electrical/Building Services/Architectural Eng

Chartered Engineer (IET/CIBSE)

Job description

Job Title - Principal Electrical Engineer ( Building Services)

Location : Bristol

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Around the globe, Arup’s electrical engineers bring specialist expertise to solutions for buildings, transport infrastructure and energy, water and waste utilities. Our comprehensive services include energy audits, demand assessment, supply and system resilience, utilities consultancy and sustainable electrical engineering design.

Whether in commercial property, retail, sport, mission‑critical facilities, the arts or any market, we meet the creative and commercial demands of designers and developers. We are trusted to bring inventive solutions to complex technical challenges for clients in the Midlands including NHS, University of Warwick, University of Nottingham, Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs), Rolls‑Royce Motor Cars and Rolls‑Royce PLC.

The Opportunity

As a Principal Electrical Building Services Engineer, you will be a key part of the Building Services Engineering team, working on multidisciplinary projects providing guidance to other engineers and working alongside building physicists, sustainability consultants, energy and carbon consultants and BIM modellers. This team forms part of the wider region which includes civil, structural, fire, acoustics, specialist lighting, and other engineering disciplines.

Your engineering insight will help shape projects that move us closer to a net zero carbon future. You’ll contribute to the development of innovative, sustainable solutions that balance technical excellence with environmental responsibility.

Collaboration is key at Arup. You’ll work closely with both internal and external teams, using clear and effective communication to ensure successful project outcomes. This includes liaising directly with clients and leading meetings to understand their needs and deliver value.

You’ll be encouraged to take a holistic view of design challenges—considering the broader context and long‑term impact of your decisions to benefit the overall project.

Working in an interdisciplinary environment, you’ll help design buildings that maximise value for clients while minimising environmental impact. Your leadership will guide MEP teams across local, national, and international projects, ensuring technical quality and consistency throughout.

Project management will be a core part of your role. You’ll be responsible for the financial performance of your projects, including fee negotiations and commercial discussions with clients. You’ll also oversee project delivery, managing teams and delegating effectively to ensure timely and high‑quality outcomes, reporting to the Project Director.

Supporting and developing others is central to our culture. You’ll help nurture a team of engineers, maintaining oversight of design quality, resource planning, and mentoring less experienced colleagues to help them grow.

Finally, you’ll contribute to Arup’s digital transformation—exploring new ways to improve efficiency through automation and enhancing our service offering through integrated digital design approaches.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Electrical, Building Services or Architectural Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status via an appropriate professional institution such as IET or CIBSE.
• Extensive experience of winning and delivering a range of projects.
• Ability to provide technical leadership of multidisciplinary design teams including external sub‑consultants.
• Strong awareness of sector‑specific legislation, regulatory requirements, and design guidance and future trends.
• Knowledge and interest in sustainable building design in terms of both energy and carbon and satisfying associated regulatory requirements.

What We Offer You

Arup provides an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We also provide private medical insurance, life assurance, accident insurance and income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.

Discover more about life at Arup at h ttp://www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

Not ready to apply yet or have questions? Contact [e-mail].