Principal Engineering Manager - New Build Delivery Lead

AWE plc; Reading; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9-day working fortnight

Pension scheme

Family-friendly policies

Professional development

Job summary

AWE plc is seeking a Principal Engineering Manager to lead New Build Delivery across Nuclear and Conventional programmes. You will act as Intelligent Client, Principal Designer, and hold Delegated Design Authority, guiding strategic engineering services to meet CASD goals.

You will oversee design coordination of MEP facilities, apply safety standards, and manage governance to ensure compliance with Nuclear Licence Conditions while driving collaboration with stakeholders and teams across multiple

Qualifications

• Experience delivering strategic programmes (systems engineering, manufacturing processes, critical infrastructure).
• Leadership role with responsibility for team development, targets and safety standards.
• Experience coordinating design across large infrastructure upgrades and new builds.

Responsibilities

• Lead as Intelligent Client (IC), Principal Designer (PD) and DAC across Nuclear and Conventional New Build programmes.
• Provide governance and management to meet Nuclear Licence Conditions and safety/quality standards.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and manage stakeholder interactions at all levels.

Skills

Strategic programme delivery

Systems engineering

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

Engineering degree (STEM)

Chartered/professional membership

Tools

NEC4 contract management

Digital twin

Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Job description

Principal Engineering Manager - New Build Delivery Lead

Date: 2026-08-26

Location: Reading, Berkshire, GB, RG1 2, Any

Application Deadline: 2026-10-10T14:21:22.783

Location & Package

Location: located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: £70,000 to £100,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working Pattern

AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Role Introduction

At AWE, it's not just a job, it's far more than that. Let us introduce the role:

AWE is currently recruiting for Principal Engineering Managers to act as Intelligent Client (IC), Principal Designer (PD) and hold Delegated Design Authority (DDA) across both the Nuclear, and Conventional New Build programmes. As a life cycle delivery lead, you will hold responsibility for providing strategic leadership and management of professional engineering services, in support of the CASD Programme and the company's strategic goals.

Our range of new build programmes for which we are recruiting include:

• Nuclear material processing, manufacturing, storage and waste processing facilities
• Multi-material (Conventional) manufacturing, trials and test laboratories
• Explosive material manufacture and processing facilities

You will be the focal leadership point and signpost for advice, information and expertise about policy, best practice, knowledge and relevant standards. In addition, you'll provide due governance and management to meet relevant Nuclear Licence Conditions (i.e., LC 19, LC 20 and LC 21), safety codes and quality standards.

Candidate Experience

The ideal candidate(s) will have experience across the following:

• Previously worked in a strategic programme delivery role (such as systems engineering, manufacturing process technologies, critical infrastructure, building services and built environment) or a new build leadership role, with responsibility for the development of team members, meeting project targets and objectives and delivering exceptional health and safety standards.
• Experienced in the design coordination of mechanical, electrical, public health (MEP) building services and technical assurance across large infrastructure upgrades and new build programmes.
• Knowledge of industrial building services and network design principles, whether conventional or high hazard (such as Pharmaceutical, Chemical-Toxic, Nuclear or Explosive), with experience of coordinating security segregated working zones during construction phases.
• Extensive experience delivering engineering programmes (definition to handover) in accordance with RIBA, BSRIA or other similar delivery frameworks in an Intelligent Customer (IC) capacity.
• An excellent understanding and ability to apply applicable legislation and standards relevant to safety within engineering (e.g., HSAWA, CDM).
• Good awareness of construction supply chain methodologies including modern Design for Manufacture (DfM), construction standardisation and integrated digital design (digital twin) technologies.
• Experience in managing contractual frameworks such as NEC4 as the client, with the ability to articulate technical complexities and have excellent communication skills, giving clear, professional interaction with stakeholders at all levels.
• Experience of leading multi-discipline groups, resolving conflicts, driving performance and fostering collaboration to meet the strategic programme demands.

Who Are We Looking For?

We do need you to have the following:

• Degree in an engineering, civil or construction management discipline or a suitable equivalent (STEM).
• Be professionally registered at a Fellow or Chartered status level of a suitably relevant recognised professional body.

Rewards and Benefits

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
• Level of hybrid working may be available for this role on an informal, non-contractual basis. (expectation is a minimum of 3 days per week onsite).
• Relocation assistance (Conditions apply).

The Working at AWE page on our website is where you can find full details in the AWE Benefits Guide.