Principal Engineer

Knights Brown is not just a company, but a community where ambition and job satisfaction align perfectly. 

Our core values are at the heart of everything we do, creating an environment where employees don’t just work for us – they grow with us, building careers that reflect their passions and aspirations. 

At Knights Brown, you’re not simply joining a company; you’re becoming part of a family that values your well-being, celebrates your achievements, and supports your growth every step of the way. 

This is an exceptional opportunity to join one of the UK’s fastest-growing contractors as a Principal Engineer to lead on complex civil engineering projects across our growing portfolio. 

This role is ideal if you’re looking to work in a supportive but ambitious environment with clear career progression and proactive employee engagement. ________________________________________ 

Job Purpose 

Lead the technical delivery of complex civil engineering projects across Knights Brown’s portfolio, ensuring excellence in design, construction methodology, and risk management. 

The Principal Engineer acts as a strategic advisor, technical authority, and mentor, driving innovation, quality, and commercial success. 

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Key Responsibilities 

• Lead engineering input across preconstruction stages — from early feasibility and outline design through to tender submission and handover to delivery teams. 

• Provide technical leadership on bids, developing construction methodologies, sequencing, and risk mitigation strategies that maximise value and deliverability. 

• Review and challenge designs through buildability reviews, value engineering, and technical risk assessments to ensure compliance, innovation, and cost efficiency. 

• Develop and approve temporary and permanent works solutions in collaboration with designers, subcontractors, and suppliers. 

• Champion sustainable and low-carbon engineering approaches, integrating SuDS, materials efficiency, and modern methods of construction. 

• Support tender teams with technical scope writing, programme inputs, and responses to client technical queries. 

• Act as technical advisor during client and consultant engagement meetings, clearly communicating engineering strategies and design rationale. 

• Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned from completed projects and embedding them into preconstruction processes. 

• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and learning within the preconstruction team. 

• Fulfil the role of Principal Designer under CDM Regulations 2015, where required. 

• Represent Knights Brown at client presentations, design reviews, and industry events to promote our technical capabilities and innovation. 

Key Requirements (Essential) 

• Strong technical knowledge of engineering practices and construction standards. 

• Chartered Engineer or working towards (CEng) status or equivalent (ICE, IStructE, or similar) 

• Demonstrable experience in CDM compliance, risk management, and technical assurance 

• Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit, or similar. 

• Excellent communication skills — able to translate complex technical detail into clear, actionable guidance 

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams, including mentoring junior engineers and managing workflow 

• Experience in client liaison, stakeholder engagement, and technical reporting 

Desirable: 

• Experience in the energy, renewables. 

• Strong understanding of buildability, temporary works, and construction sequencing 

• Knowledge of environmental permitting, flood risk, or water-sensitive design

Ideal for candidates with a background in design consultancy looking to transition into a comparable role with a contractor.

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Qualifications Degree or HNC/HND in Civil Engineering or Construction Management (or equivalent).

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Why Knights Brown? 

Knights Brown actively promotes inclusiveness and diversity across the workplace. We are committed to creating an environment where every individual has the opportunity to reach their full potential and where all employees feel respected and supported. We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and warmly welcome applications from the Armed Forces community.