VolkerFitzpatrick offers a range and depth of civil engineering, infrastructure and building services. We contribute to vital parts of the nation's life through projects of strategic importance, while delivering those less visible, yet essential, works required by both private and public sectors. We build, renew, maintain highways, airports, railway infrastructure, and commercial, industrial and educational buildings.

We have a great opportunity for a Principal Designer to work on the Southern Renewals Enterprise. The project will total 5+5 years of multiple individual schemes across Network Rail's Southern Route (Kent, Sussex & Wessex).

You will lead the PD team to plan, manage and monitor the pre-construction phases and preparing health and safety files. Co-ordinate matters relating to health and safety, so that the projects can be carried out without risks to health or safety.

You will also lead the designers HAZID workshops, monthly reports / KPIs based on PCIPs acceptance, CDM deliverables and H&S files progress, including NRG acceptances.

About you

• Min HNC / HND Civil Engineering, Incorporated Engineer preferably Chartered
• Certified Membership of APS, IOSH or ICE H&S Register
• 5 years minimum relevant experience in Principal Designer role
• A recognised professional qualification in Health and Safety (e.g. NEBOSH Construction Certificate)
• Robust knowledge and practitioner of CDM 2015 management
• Good managerial skills with ability and confidence to instruct works to stop
• Excellent client-facing and communication skills
• Approachable and diplomatic but able to exert assertiveness professionally if required
• Very high regard to safety of personnel and infrastructure
• Good programme commercial and personable acumen
• IT proficient
• Process control orientated
• Self-motivated
• Logical and results focused with ability to exert accretive influence preventing risk arising
• Approachable and diplomatic with the ability to explain the importance of inspection and safety consequences.

If your past experience doesn't match perfectly with every requirement of the job description, we still encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for us.

Why work with us?

VolkerFitzpatrick is under the umbrella of VolkerWessels UK which is a multidisciplinary contractor that delivers innovative engineering solutions across the civil engineering and construction sectors including rail, highways, airport, marine, energy, water, and environmental infrastructure.

By utilising the specialist skills of each business unit within VolkerWessels UK, VolkerFitzpatrick are able to ensure our staff provide unrivalled resources and expertise to our clients.

We offer competitive rewards and benefits, recognising the value we place on our employees.

We offer a range of benefits, including:

• Competitive salary
• Competitive annual leave and an additional day off on your birthday
• Private medical care
• Pension
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Shopping and restaurants vouchers, rewards, and discounts
• Training and development opportunities-comprehensive skills-based training
• Family friendly polices including enhanced maternity benefits
• Employee Assistance programme
• Mental health, physical health, and financial support
• 24/7 Virtual GP service

Fairness, inclusion and respect

We believe in pushing boundaries in the pursuit of fairness, inclusion and respect. So, our teams can be comfortable that, whatever their background, VolkerWessels UK is a place where they can be themselves and thrive.

If you need support with your application, please contact us at

Additional Information

Note for Recruitment Agencies:

Our preference is to hire directly, and we will reach out to our Preferred Supplier List (PSL) agencies if this particular role qualifies for release.

We kindly request that you refrain from sending speculative CVs. In the event of speculative CV submissions, no fees will be applicable, and we kindly ask that all inquiries to be directed

VolkerWessels UK is committed to maintaining healthy, safe and productive working conditions for its
entire staff and therefore a drugs & alcohol screening is mandatory for all.