Principal Electrical Engineer

Calibre Search; East Horsley; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Calibre Search is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer in Surrey to lead and grow a dedicated electrical team. The role focuses on design leadership, project management, and client liaison across government, local authority, and Underground projects.

The successful candidate will shape the department, maintain high technical standards, and contribute to long-term client relationships, with a strong emphasis on quality over volume.

Qualifications

• Degree and/or CIBSE qualification; Chartered status preferred.
• Experience leading a small team and client-facing roles.
• Good written English and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee a small electrical engineering team.
• Deliver electrical design and project management services.
• Manage and supervise the electrical department day to day.
• Liaise with clients and attend project/site meetings as senior contact.
• Support fee bids and develop client relationships.
• Mentor junior engineers and support their progression.
• Contribute to technical standards and policy.
• Engage in a varied workload across distribution, lighting, fire alarm upgrades, and related works.

Skills

Leadership

Client-facing

Communication

Written English

Education

Degree / CIBSE qualification

Tools

Amtech

CAD

Revit

Job description

Principal Electrical Engineer

Surrey

£70,000 - £80,000 + benefits | Permanent

An established MEP consultancy based in Surrey is looking for a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead and grow their electrical team. The business has built a strong reputation over many years, with a client base that's largely government and local authority, alongside project work on London Underground infrastructure. Most of their workload involves retrofit and refurbishment, with occasional new-build and extension projects giving the portfolio some variety.

The successful candidate will take on a genuinely senior position, with real scope to shape how the electrical team operates and grows. You'll be stepping into a business that values long-term client relationships and technical quality over volume, working across a broad and interesting spread of project types.

The Role

• Lead and oversee a small electrical engineering team, reporting directly to the Directors
• Deliver electrical design and project management services across a varied project portfolio
• Manage and supervise the electrical department day to day
• Liaise directly with clients, attending project and site meetings as the senior point of contact
• Support fee bids and help develop and maintain client relationships
• Mentor and support junior engineers, helping them progress towards their own professional goals
• Contribute to technical standards, company policy and the continued progression of the practice
• Get involved in a genuinely varied workload, including electrical distribution and lateral mains replacement, lighting and power installations, door entry schemes, fire alarm upgrades, condition surveys and reports, Technical Advisor duties on Design & Build projects, and electrical supplies to advertising screens

About You

• Degree and/or relevant CIBSE qualification, Chartered status preferred
• Comfortable managing, developing and getting the best out of a small team
• Strong client-facing manner, confident attending meetings and representing the business
• Good written English and clear communication skills
• Familiarity with electrical design packages such as Amtech
• Working knowledge of construction-related contracts
• CAD or Revit experience would be useful but isn't essential
• Someone looking for a long-term home rather than a short-term move

The Business

A friendly, established MEP consultancy with a strong government and local authority client base, built up over many years through long-standing relationships. The business offers a genuine long-term career opportunity, with progression to Associate level anticipated for the right person as they settle in and make the role their own. It's a supportive environment for someone who wants ownership of a department and the chance to shape its direction, rather than simply managing an existing setup.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.