Lead Technical Engineer
Location: Cardiff – hybrid working, with UK-wide travel as required Salary: £65,000–£75,000 depending on experience
The Opportunity
The decisions made at the beginning of a utility project can determine its cost, complexity and success. Your role will be to ensure those decisions are supported by sound engineering judgement.
You’ll oversee feasibility and utility strategies, examining network capacity, potential routes, connection requirements, costs and programme implications. By identifying constraints early and challenging proposed approaches where necessary, you’ll help clients and project teams understand their options before committing to procurement and construction.
As a senior technical authority, you’ll be the person colleagues turn to when a development presents a complex challenge or a project needs a clear technical direction. Your involvement will extend into procurement and, on selected projects, through construction and close-out, giving you the opportunity to see your recommendations put into practice.
You’ll also shape the standards behind the team’s work. That means improving design processes, strengthening technical reviews and making sure good practice is shared consistently across projects.
Developing others is an equally important part of the position. You’ll mentor engineers, identify gaps in their experience and help them build the competence and evidence required for Incorporated or Chartered Engineer registration. For someone who enjoys passing on their knowledge, this offers a direct opportunity to influence colleagues’ careers as well as the quality of their work.
Key Responsibilities
• Own multi-utility technical strategy: Lead engineering decisions across gas, electricity, water and telecoms, ensuring proposals are practical, coordinated and appropriate to each development.
• Guide early project decisions: Oversee feasibility studies, assess routes and capacity, and explain the cost, risk and programme implications of available options.
• Set engineering standards: Establish and maintain design standards, review processes and technical documentation that support consistent, high-quality outputs.
• Provide senior technical judgement: Resolve complex issues, challenge assumptions and act as an escalation point for higher-risk sites and developments.
• Support procurement and construction: Define technical scopes, review quotations, engage with utility providers and delivery partners, and support selected projects through to completion.
• Develop the engineering team: Coach colleagues, assess competence and support development plans and professional registration submissions.
• Maintain safety and quality: Ensure technical decisions and working practices meet relevant safety, quality and governance requirements.
What We’re Looking For
Essential
• Extensive experience in multi-utility design, feasibility and strategic engineering, with the knowledge and credibility to guide decisions across utility disciplines.
• An HNC or equivalent qualification in engineering, utilities or a construction- related discipline.
• Experience mentoring engineers and supporting their development, including acting as a formal mentor or adviser for professional registration.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to weigh technical options against cost, delivery timescales and risk.
• The ability to produce clear technical reports and turn complex engineering issues into recommendations that clients and colleagues can act on.
• A collaborative approach and sound judgement when managing competing priorities or resolving challenging technical issues.
Desirable
• A degree or equivalent professional qualification in engineering or a related discipline.
• Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status through a relevant professional institution.
• A relevant CDM, IOSH or NEBOSH qualification.
What’s on Offer
Alongside £65,000–£75,000 depending on experience and hybrid working from Cardiff, the role offers substantial scope to influence how engineering work is approached and delivered.
You’ll work across multiple utilities, remain involved in technically challenging projects and help turn early strategies into workable outcomes. You’ll also have a defined role in developing other engineers, with the opportunity to improve both individual capability and the standards of the wider team.
Interested?
If you’re looking for a senior technical role where you can take ownership of engineering decisions and help others progress, apply with your CV or contact us for a confidential conversation.