Principal Lead Electrical Engineer

Principal Lead Electrical Engineer
 
Start Date: October 2025
Location: London, UK
Contract Type: Outside IR35, Long-term Contract (12 Months+)
 
Project Scope
The Principal Lead Electrical Engineer will be responsible for leading and executing electrical engineering tasks in accordance with discipline-specific design instructions, adhering to safety, quality control, and project management procedures. The role involves delivering high-quality electrical engineering solutions within man-hour, cost, and schedule targets for a complex industrial facility. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing the Basis of Design to establish the technical foundation for electrical systems.
• Creating and maintaining load lists to support project requirements.
• Designing single-line diagrams, drawings, and other critical electrical schematics.
• Preparing detailed electrical equipment specifications and calculations.
• Conducting system studies to ensure robust and reliable electrical designs.
• Providing input to equipment layouts and lists to optimize project integration.
• Contributing to cost estimation for project budgeting and financial planning.
• Preparing electrical narratives for inclusion in concept reports.
• Leading electrical engineering services to meet statutory, regulatory, and project-specific requirements.
• Managing project requirements, participating in relevant meetings, preparing progress reports, and ensuring compliance with checking procedures.
• Ensuring clarity of project scope and managing changes through established change management processes.
• Providing technical advice during procurement, construction, and commissioning activities, including overseeing requisitions, technical bid evaluations, and purchase order preparation.
• Proactively resolving discrepancies and identifying solutions to issues as they arise.
• Acting as the electrical engineering lead on assigned projects, fostering collaboration and ensuring project success.

The Principal Lead Electrical Engineer will work closely with cross-functional teams, including mechanical, piping, and procurement departments, to ensure seamless project execution. The role demands strong leadership, technical expertise, and effective communication to meet project milestones and deliver innovative solutions.
 
Deliverables
Our client is delivering a comprehensive set of electrical engineering outputs for a standardized design in a front-end engineering design (FEED) project. The Principal Lead Electrical Engineer will be responsible for producing the following deliverables:

• Designing electrical distribution systems in a project team environment, focusing on studies, FEED, and detailed design for industrial facilities.
• Preparing electrical equipment specifications, data sheets, and purchasing requisitions.
• Developing and coordinating protective relay settings and coordination studies.
• Creating load lists and sizing electrical equipment to meet project needs.
• Designing low-voltage (LV) and medium-voltage (MV) single-line diagrams with a strong understanding of relay and metering systems associated with substations and e-houses.
• Designing motor protection and control schematics, including wiring diagrams.
• Reviewing vendor designs for compliance with technical specifications and applicable standards.
• Supporting and mentoring team members to foster a collaborative and high-performing project environment.
• Updating electrical schedule progress on assigned projects to ensure timely delivery.
• Providing electrical bills of materials (BOMs) and major equipment costs for capital cost estimates at various project stages, including feasibility studies, preliminary design, and detailed engineering.
• Establishing the scope of work for projects and proposals, including engineering cost estimates and deliverable lists.
• Attending project team meetings, vendor review meetings, and other relevant discussions as required.
• Reviewing designs for constructability and alignment with project requirements.

These deliverables will be developed to meet stringent quality standards and tailored to the specific needs of the project, ensuring operational efficiency, safety, and reliability.
 
Scope Delivery Queries
For any queries related to the scope of work, please contact the designated Orion consultant.
 
Duration of Assignment
This is a long-term contract position, with a minimum duration of 12 months, with the potential for extension based on project requirements.
 
Comments
For the duration of the assignment:

• The role is classified as outside IR35, ensuring compliance with relevant UK tax regulations.
• The position is based in London, UK, with opportunities for hybrid working arrangements, subject to project needs and agreement with Orion Group.
• The contractor is expected to adhere to Orion Group’s health, safety, and environmental policies throughout the project duration.
• The Principal Lead Electrical Engineer is expected to demonstrate strong leadership, technical expertise, and a proactive approach to problem-solving to ensure project success.
• The role involves fostering a collaborative team environment, mentoring junior engineers, and maintaining effective communication with all stakeholders to drive project objectives.

 

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion
As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.