Principal Engineer

Sphere Solutions; Wales; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead complex civil engineering projects. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills, experience in risk management, and proficiency in design software like AutoCAD and Civil 3D. You will mentor junior engineers and ensure project excellence through innovative engineering practices. This role offers permanent salary and benefits in a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• Strong technical knowledge of engineering practices and construction standards.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards CEng status.
• Proficiency in design software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or Revit.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering input across preconstruction stages.
• Provide technical leadership on bids and develop construction methodologies.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers within the team.

Skills

Technical knowledge of engineering practices

Leadership and mentoring

Risk management

Client liaison and stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree or HNC/HND in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Revit

Job description

Principal Engineer

Bridgend

Permanent salary + benefits package

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the UK's fastest-growing contractors as a Principal Engineer to lead on complex civil engineering projects across our growing portfolio.

This role is ideal if you're looking to work in a supportive but ambitious environment with clear career progression and proactive employee engagement.

Job Purpose

• Lead the technical delivery of complex civil engineering projects across portfolio, ensuring excellence in design, construction methodology, and risk management.
• The Principal Engineer acts as a strategic advisor, technical authority, and mentor, driving innovation, quality, and commercial success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead engineering input across preconstruction stages — from early feasibility and outline design through to tender submission and handover to delivery teams.
• Provide technical leadership on bids, developing construction methodologies, sequencing, and risk mitigation strategies that maximise value and deliverability.
• Review and challenge designs through buildability reviews, value engineering, and technical risk assessments to ensure compliance, innovation, and cost efficiency.
• Develop and approve temporary and permanent works solutions in collaboration with designers, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Champion sustainable and low-carbon engineering approaches, integrating SuDS, materials efficiency, and modern methods of construction.
• Support tender teams with technical scope writing, programme inputs, and responses to client technical queries.
• Act as technical advisor during client and consultant engagement meetings, clearly communicating engineering strategies and design rationale.
• Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned from completed projects and embedding them into preconstruction processes.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and learning within the preconstruction team.
• Fulfil the role of Principal Designer under CDM Regulations 2015, where required.

Key Requirements (Essential)

• Strong technical knowledge of engineering practices and construction standards.
• Chartered Engineer or working towards (CEng) status or equivalent (ICE, IStructE, or similar)
• Demonstrable experience in CDM compliance, risk management, and technical assurance
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, or similar.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams, including mentoring junior engineers and managing workflow
• Experience in client liaison, stakeholder engagement, and technical reporting

Desirable

• Experience in the energy, renewables.
• Strong understanding of buildability, temporary works, and construction sequencing
• Knowledge of environmental permitting, flood risk, or water-sensitive design
• Qualifications Degree or HNC/HND in Civil Engineering or Construction Management (or equivalent).

If you are interested and want further details, please don't hesitate to get in touch.