Principal Engineer & Team Lead - United Kingdom

BALFOUR BEATTY; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Principal Engineer & Team Lead, where your expertise in civil and geotechnical engineering will drive innovative projects in Power Transmission & Distribution. You'll lead design efforts on critical infrastructure, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards while collaborating with diverse teams. This role offers the opportunity to work on ambitious projects that support communities and economies across the UK. With a flexible working policy and a commitment to diversity, this is your chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Paid leave

Pension schemes

Qualifications

• Degree-level education in civil or geotechnical engineering required.
• Professional membership with ICE or Geol Soc and working towards Chartered status.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and coordination of foundation and geotechnical designs.
• Ensure timely delivery and quality of designs compliant with standards.
• Manage project risks and provide geotechnical support across workstreams.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Geotechnical Engineering

Project Management

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

CAD

Tekla Tedds

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Membership with ICE or Geol Soc

Job description

About the role

Balfour Beatty is currently seeking a Principal Engineer & Team Lead to join their Power T&D team.

Role Purpose:

• To work with project team, designers, and subcontractors through the design phase to deliver the safe and suitable scope of works in line with the project objectives.
• Take responsibility for the design delivery and design suitability for works across Power T&D construction projects with particular focus on Overhead Line (OHL) foundations and geotechnical delivery.
• Provide advice on the constructability and sequencing of civil design and temporary works designs for Power T&D business.
• Provide geotechnical support across the range of PT&D workstreams. Engage in bid development, tendering, and innovation projects alongside the Team Lead and Design Delivery Manager.

Balfour Beatty welcomes applications from both full-time and part-time candidates, including those interested in job-sharing arrangements. The company offers a flexible working policy to support a healthy work-life balance.

What you'll be doing

Key Accountabilities:

• To undertake the design and coordination of foundation and geotechnical designs required on OHL, Cabling, and Substation projects, from initial feasibility assessment through development to detail design & delivery phase, ensuring completion in accordance with programme, cost, and quality requirements, including support of in-house temporary works design where appropriate.
• Ensure the timely delivery and quality of designs by both the individual and the OHL Foundation Design team. Prepare reports, calculations, and drawings to a high technical level compliant with client and national standards (BS/Eurocodes/ENA).
• Understand and capture client requirements, including those not explicitly stated within the contract. Contribute to generating robust pricing and design delivery solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

Assess and identify design and temporary works requirements on each project, including:

• Leading the team to complete all geotechnical and foundation-related works, managing project risks comprehensively.
• Specifying ground investigation and testing, piling works, and other related works.
• Providing on-site assessment of geological conditions to inform design decisions.
• Supporting the provision of designs, volumes, and quantities for tender submissions to meet budget, programme, and specifications upon contract award.
• Attending testing and supervising installation to verify design suitability and construction quality.
• Designing OHL foundations, including reinforcement provisions.
• Collaborating with Project Teams to align objectives and ensure work aligns with project priorities.
• Liaising with personnel for optimal installation procedures and conducting site visits for planning and inspection.
• Reporting regularly on project progress, issues, opportunities, and threats to Design Delivery Leads.
• Driving “Safety by Design” principles, ensuring safety regulations and procedures are followed in foundation and geotechnical designs.
• Analyzing contract documents to interpret client/consultant intentions correctly.
• Designing foundations and geotechnical works for proper supply and construction in line with contract documents and current practices.
• Corresponding with Business Units, clients, consultants, and vendors to ensure progress and quality, including site discussions and problem-solving.
• Training new designers and trainees as needed.
• Undertaking other duties as required by the Design Delivery Leads.
• Maintaining compliance with CDM regulations and other legal/regulatory requirements related to team outputs.

Who we're looking for

Skills Required:

• Degree-level education or equivalent with formal training in civil and/or geotechnical engineering.
• Professional membership with ICE or Geol Soc and working towards Chartered Engineer status.
• Proven post-graduate experience in civil engineering.
• Experience supervising sub-consultants or subcontractors.
• Experience in civil engineering design.
• Experience managing civil or geotechnical engineering design projects.
• IT proficiency (Microsoft Word, Excel, CAD).
• Extensive geotechnical design experience.
• Experience using Tekla Tedds.

Why work for us

Our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious projects, developing and maintaining vital infrastructure that supports economies and communities. We offer a range of benefits, including flexible working options, paid leave, pension schemes, and more.

About us

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with electricity network owners/operators on overhead lines, cabling, substations, and distribution networks. We support projects from scoping to maintenance, leveraging in-house expertise and industry innovations.

Diversity and inclusion

We believe diversity and inclusion are key to a successful workplace. We are committed to growing a diverse workforce and inclusive culture. We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and reservists. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to removing barriers for applicants with disabilities.