Senior Electrical Design Engineer

Job Title
Senior Electrical Design Engineer
Location
Essex (office-based)
About the Role
We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Electrical Design Engineer to join a leading building services contractor specialising in residential and mixed-use developments. The design team works across RIBA stages 1-5, delivering high-quality MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) designs for new-build housing, high-rise apartments, and common areas.
As Senior Electrical Design Engineer, you’ll lead technically complex projects, contribute significantly to design development, and ensure delivery to time, budget and technical standards. This is a fee-earning role, offering internal and external client-facing opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and deliver full electrical design (Stage 3–5) for residential projects, from concept through detailed design.
* Develop LV distribution, lighting, power, data & communications, fire detection, access control, CCTV, and lightning protection systems — reflecting the broad MEP service offering.
* Coordinate with mechanical design, BMS, ventilation, and other disciplines, ensuring integrated MEP solutions.
* Prepare technical calculations, load schedules, single line diagrams, power balancing, earthing & bonding, and lighting design.
* Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, industry standards, and good engineering practice (e.g., CIBSE, BS, local standards).
* Manage design risk, carry out design reviews, and establish quality assurance processes.
* Liaise with clients, contractors, and internal teams to understand requirements, provide design advice, and deliver design solutions within budget.
* Carry out design-feasibility studies, energy assessments, and sustainability reports — supporting low-energy, high-performance building objectives.
* Mentor and support junior design engineers / CAD / Revit team; provide technical leadership.
* Contribute to project proposals, including fee estimation and technical input.
* Attend site visits, inspections, and technical meetings to support the design and build phases.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of M&E design trends, sustainability practices, and technology innovations.
Experience & Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.
* Significant proven experience (e.g., 7+ years) in MEP / building services electrical design.
* Strong experience with design tools such as AutoCAD, Revit (or similar BIM tools).
* Demonstrable experience in residential new build projects (e.g., multi-unit, common areas, high-rise).
* Solid technical knowledge of electrical distribution, lighting, power, data/comms, fire & security systems.
* Experience of preparing technical design documentation: design reports, calculations, diagrams, schedules.
* Good understanding of relevant regulations, codes, and standards.
* Proven ability to coordinate multi-disciplinary design and interface with construction teams.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills (clients, construction, internal design).
* Leadership or mentoring experience is highly desirable.
* Experience with sustainability / energy assessment design is a plus.
Personal Attributes
* Strong analytical and problem-solving mindset.
* Meticulous attention to detail while managing multiple tasks.
* Self-motivated and proactive, capable of working independently and as part of a team.
* Commercially aware, with ability to make technical decisions in line with project budgets.
* Flexible, with ability to adapt to changing project requirements and timelines.
* Passionate about sustainability and delivering energy-efficient, high-performance buildings