Principal Designer - CDM

At BakerHicks, we’ve grown rapidly in the Transmission & Distribution sector over the last 12 years, delivering projects that make a real difference to communities across the UK. As our portfolio expands, we’re excited to welcome Senior Project Managers who share our passion for collaboration, innovation, and creating a sustainable future.

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced and proactive SR188 Principal Designer Representative (PDR) to support the delivery of a diverse portfolio of National Grid projects across both Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and construction stages.

Acting on behalf of the Principal Designer under National Grid’s SR188 framework, you will play a key role in ensuring compliance with CDM Regulations 2015, driving high standards of health, safety, and risk management throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as the Principal Designer Representative (PD R) in accordance with National Grid’s SR188 requirements.
• Support and advise clients, designers, and project teams on CDM compliance, including roles, duties, and documentation.
• Coordinate and manage design risk management processes, ensuring hazards are identified, eliminated, or reduced through design.
• Facilitate and lead design risk workshops, HAZID/HAZOP sessions, and design reviews.
• Ensure production and maintenance of key CDM deliverables, including:
• Design Risk Registers
• Pre-Construction Information (PCI)
• Health and Safety Files
• Provide CDM and safety input, influencing safe-by-design principles early in the project lifecycle.
• Support project teams through the design and construction phase, ensuring effective communication of residual risks to contractors.
• Engage with stakeholders including National Grid, contractors, and multidisciplinary design teams.
• Monitor and report on CDM compliance and performance, identifying areas for improvement.
• Promote a strong health, safety, and wellbeing culture across all projects.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a Principal Designer or CDM Advisor role, ideally within the utilities or infrastructure sectors.
• Strong working knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015 and their practical application.
• Experience working on National Grid projects and familiarity with SR188 requirements is highly desirable.
• Demonstrable experience across both FEED/design and construction phases.
• Ability to lead design risk management activities and influence multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent in engineering, construction, or a related discipline.
• Professional membership (e.g., APS, IOSH, ICE, IET) desirable.
• NEBOSH Construction Certificate (or equivalent) desirable.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Strong leadership and facilitation skills.
• High attention to detail with a commitment to safety excellence.
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work on critical national infrastructure projects.
• Exposure to a broad range of FEED and construction stage activities.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to security clearance or security assurance levels.
The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance or assurance level for this role, in line with client and sector requirements.

In some cases, additional nationality or residency criteria may also apply due to specific client or national security obligations.

Further information on National security clearance levels can be found on the UK Government website: (National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK) 

About BakerHicks 

We’ve been innovating in design, engineering and project delivery since 1957 and operate from 14 locations for a truly European reach. For more about our company story, see: About | BakerHicks. 

BakerHicks. A Morgan Sindall Group company.  

Benefits 

Whatever your discipline, you’ll be alongside some of the most talented people in the industry. Our network of offices are appealing, friendly and comfortable spaces, easily accessible by car or public transport. And our salary and benefits packages are some of the best in the industry.  

What you get will depend on what you do, with individual performance-related rewards also on offer in addition to: 

• Company car or cash allowance 
• Up to 6% matched contributory pension plan 
• Life assurance scheme 
• 25 days annual leave plus ability to buy additional leave 
• Discount scheme (including gym membership, mobile phones etc) 
• Flexible/hybrid working 
• Family friendly policies 
• Employee assistance 
• Professional development 

BakerHicks is an equal opportunity employer. We care about creating an inclusive atmosphere and are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion throughout.  
BakerHicks is an inclusive organisation welcoming talent from all backgrounds. Applicants are assessed on the basis of personal merit and qualifications.   

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