Principal Electrical Engineer - Manchester

Hoare Lea; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical cover

EV salary sacrifice scheme

Stock options

25 days of annual leave

Flexible and hybrid working

9‑day fortnight scheme

Thriving community groups

Networking events

Professional and technical development

Job summary

Hoare Lea is seeking a Principal Electrical Engineer to lead the design delivery for major building services projects from inception to completion in Manchester. You will oversee internal teams, coordinate with other disciplines, and represent Hoare Lea at client meetings.

The role requires Chartered status and deep technical knowledge in electrical/building services, with strong client-facing and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Qualified and recognised in the industry, preferably with Chartered status.
• Proven, in-depth technical knowledge in electrical/building services design and applied experience of relevant regulations and design guides.
• Strong understanding of complementary disciplines and experience leading integrated design teams.
• Excellent client-facing skills with ability to manage difficult situations calmly and professionally.
• Demonstrable experience leading design teams on complex projects and delivering to demanding timescales.
• Commercial awareness: experience monitoring project costs and contributing to profitable delivery.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple demands.
• Confident communicator — excellent written and spoken English.
• IT literate with proficiency in industry software (Revit, AutoCAD, Dialux, OM Electrical).
• Committed to continuous professional development and supporting the career growth of others.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design delivery for significant and complex building services schemes.
• Define and agree the design brief with clients and manage client relationships.
• Represent the practice at project meetings and promote Hoare Lea services.
• Manage the internal delivery team and coordinate with external consultants.
• Delegate, review and check work and contribute to team development.
• Monitor project expenditure, costs and resource requirements; report progress and risks.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards, technical accuracy and deadlines.
• Share technical knowledge across the business and collaborate with other professionals.

Skills

Electrical design

Building services knowledge

Client facing

Leadership of design teams

Communication in English

Education

Chartered Engineer status

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Dialux

OM Electrical

Job description

About Us

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield. We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem‑solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves. We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality.

You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9‑day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package.

Principal Electrical Engineer – Manchester

We have an opportunity for a Principal Electrical Engineer to play a key role in delivering high quality, sustainable electrical engineering solutions across multiple projects in the built environment. You will join our Electrical team based in our Manchester office. We have a well‑established reputation for delivering outstanding design on built environment projects throughout the North. We have maintained an office in Manchester for many years, developing strong relationships with clients across the region, and working on a variety of local, regional and international projects. We are a recognised leader in the built environment, shaping some of the most ambitious and technically demanding projects across the residential, hospitality, leisure, commercial, and complex engineering sectors. Our work spans cutting‑edge healthcare and research facilities, high‑performance data centres, critical infrastructure and state‑of‑the‑art manufacturing and technology environments projects that push boundaries and deliver real‑world impact. Driven by a commitment to excellence, we combine innovation, technical expertise, and practical delivery to create solutions that are not only robust and reliable, but forward‑thinking and sustainable. Our teams work at the forefront of the industry, collaborating with leading clients across the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally. Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high‑performing work culture. You will take the lead design role on significant and complex building services projects, owning the design delivery from inception to completion. As the technical lead, you will manage and prioritise the internal Hoare Lea delivery team, coordinate with other disciplines and external consultants, and represent Hoare Lea at client and project meetings. You will ensure technically excellent, commercially aware and timely delivery while developing client relationships that support future business growth. In this key and varied role, you can expect to:

• Lead the design delivery for significant and complex schemes, taking responsibility for achieving design objectives and technical quality.
• Define and agree the design brief with clients and manage client and consultant relationships professionally.
• Represent Hoare Lea at project meetings and actively promote our services to support client projects and future business.
• Manage, prioritise and motivate the internal project team (including specialist groups); host and chair internal project meetings.
• Delegate, review and check work undertaken by others; contribute to the professional development of team members.
• Monitor project expenditure, costs and resource requirements; report regularly to the team leader.
• Identify, highlight and manage project and commercial risks, including awareness of consultant appointment conditions and procurement impacts.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards, technical accuracy and programme deadlines.
• Share technical knowledge across the business and work collaboratively with other professionals to deliver coordinated building designs.
• Communicate openly and effectively at all levels internally and externally.

About You

• Qualified and recognised in the industry, preferably with Chartered status.
• Proven, in depth technical knowledge in electrical/building services design and applied experience of relevant regulations and design guides.
• Strong understanding of complementary disciplines and experience leading integrated design teams.
• Excellent client facing skills with ability to manage difficult situations calmly and professionally.
• Demonstrable experience leading design teams on complex projects and delivering to demanding timescales.
• Commercial awareness: experience monitoring project costs, identifying commercial risks and contributing to profitable delivery.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple demands.
• Confident communicator — excellent written and spoken English — with experience representing a consultancy externally.
• IT literate with proficiency in industry software (Revit, AutoCAD, Dialux, OM Electrical).
• Committed to continuous professional development and supporting the career growth of others.

Benefits

• private medical cover
• an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• stock options
• 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service)
• flexible and hybrid working
• 9‑day fortnight scheme
• thriving community groups
• varied social and networking events
• extensive professional and technical development schemes

Adjustments and accommodations

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.

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