Principal EC&I Engineer

Principal EC&I Engineer

• Whitehaven (Hybrid - 2-3 days per week in office)
• Contract - 12 Months
• Rate - £65 per hour

We are seeking an experienced Principal EC&I Engineer to lead the design, development, and delivery of EC&I solutions across complex, safety-critical projects. This role is heavily design-focused, requiring ownership of electrical power system studies, protection design, and technical assurance, ensuring all outputs meet regulatory, safety, and engineering standards.

Key Responsibilities

Design Leadership & Delivery

• Lead the design and development of EC&I systems, ensuring solutions are technically robust, compliant, and fit for purpose.
• Own and maintain the electrical power system model (ETAP or equivalent) to support design development and validation.
• Produce and review key design deliverables including: Fault level calculations, Protection coordination studies, Arc flash risk assessments. 
• Ensure all designs align with relevant standards, specifications, and best practice.
• Act as the technical authority for power distribution and protection design.
• Lead the design and analysis of 11kV and 400V electrical systems and substations.
• Carry out and review unit protection schemes (differential and high impedance).
• Support the wider design team with power system expertise, ensuring integration across disciplines.  
• Contribute to the development and improvement of engineering design standards and procedures.

Design Assurance & Reviews

• Act as Lead Design Engineer, overseeing:Design reviews, Technical queries, Formal design approvals. 
• Ensure all engineering outputs meet required levels of design assurance, safety, and quality.
• Identify and mitigate design risks throughout the project lifecycle.

Technical Support & Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide expert design support and guidance to internal teams and stakeholders.
• Act as the primary technical interface for all EC&I design-related matters.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor engineers in design best practice and technical development.
• Promote a strong design culture focused on quality, compliance, and innovation.  

Requirements

• Strong working knowledge of BS EN 60909 fault calculations within a design environment.
• Experience using power system modelling software (e.g. ETAP or equivalent) for design and analysis.
• Proven experience in design of power distribution and protection systems (11kV & 400V)
• Experience in substation design and electrical infrastructure upgrades.
• Strong understanding of design for ageing assets and system integration.
• Experience developing and reviewing detailed engineering design documentation.  

Desirable Experience

• Experience working within highly regulated or safety-critical design environments.
• Familiarity with tools such as Trimble, ERACS, DigSilent.
• Knowledge of IEC 61850 and SCADA system design.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards.  

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, or Control Engineering
• HNC/HND with significant relevant design experience

Please note that this role will require security clearance.
If you are qualified and interested please apply, or email (url removed)

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