Contract Engineering Lead

Contract Engineering Lead - Sizewell C
Location: London
Sector: Nuclear / Major Infrastructure

Make Your Mark on One of the UK’s Largest Infrastructure Projects
Are you an experienced engineering professional looking for the opportunity to work on a project of national significance?

Morson Edge is proud to be partnered with Sizewell C (SZC) to support the recruitment of a Contract Engineering Lead to join the expanding Technical Directorate team at one of the UK’s most ambitious megaprojects.

Sizewell C is a new nuclear power station being developed in Suffolk. Following the success of Hinkley Point C, the project has progressed into construction and represents a major part of the UKs future energy infrastructure. Once operational, Sizewell C is expected to provide reliable low-carbon electricity to around 6 million homes for 60 years, working alongside renewable generation to support the UKs Net Zero ambitions.

This is an opportunity to join a complex, multi-disciplinary engineering environment and play a key role in the delivery of critical buildings and infrastructure.

The Opportunity
As Contract Engineering Lead (CEL), you will be integrated within the Design Delivery Management (DDM) Site Buildings team within the Technical Directorate.

You will take responsibility for overseeing and managing the design delivery of the SZC2203 and SZC2205 contract buildings, from basic design through to detailed design.

The portfolio includes:

HUC - Emergency Response Centre
HHE - Back-up Emergency Equipment Store
HUA - Main Access Control Building
HZC - Chemical Products Storage
HZG - Oil and Grease Storage
HUT - Off-Site Delivery Checkpoint
HUB - Outage Access Control Building
HHW / HHD / HSM / HHL - Slabs

Working closely with the external designer and the wider SZC project team, including Building Leads, Mechanical and Electrical Leads, CDM Advisors, Nuclear Safety Leads and Architects, you will provide technical and day-to-day leadership across the design scope.

You will be accountable for ensuring the design is delivered safely, to the required quality and specification, and in line with programme requirements.

Key Responsibilities
As Contract Engineering Lead, you will act as the principal point of contact for the SZC2203/2205 contract within the Design Delivery Management team and will act as the Responsible Designer for the contract.

Your responsibilities will include:

Supporting the development and implementation of engineering design delivery strategies.
Managing relationships and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
Authoring and managing Scope of Works documentation for Contract Partners.
Preparing and developing technical specifications for design studies.
Coordinating technical assessments of contracts prior to contract award.
Providing technical management of the contract and acting as a key interface with Civil Programme Project Managers.
Coordinating engineering design activities across multiple Contract Partners and parallel workstreams.
Providing technical support, guidance and information to Contract Partners.
Managing surveillance of detailed design activities in accordance with SZC processes.
Ensuring Contract Partner deliverables comply with technical specifications, safety requirements and UK Context requirements.
Ensuring effective configuration control is established and maintained.
Managing the resolution of multi-programme engineering issues and risks.
Ensuring Contract Partner programmes and milestones align with the overall SZC2203/2205 schedule.
Managing the Contract Partner List of Deliverables and ensuring design outputs are delivered in accordance with agreed requirements
Agreeing and accepting Contract Partner Design Schedules on behalf of SZC.
Coordinating engineering design gateways and design reviews.
Coordinating Constructability Reviews ahead of Readiness Review and formal transfer to the Joint Delivery Office (JDO).
Coordinating and consolidating stakeholder comments throughout the deliverables review process.
Supporting design optimisation through the management of modifications, trends and project feedback.
Leading discussions with Contract Partners regarding early warnings, compensation events and project change requests.
Supporting commercial teams with cost and programme impact assessments and negotiations.
Maintaining visibility of project risks, trends and opportunities.
Ensuring effective tracking, mitigation and closure of technical open points.
Managing technical interfaces across the contract and wider project.
Liaising with the SZC Project Manager regarding scope variations outside delegated authority.
Establishing and maintaining the contract risk register and providing regular updates.
You will be supported by SZC technical specialists across the relevant disciplines, including specialists in UK Context requirements such as CDM.

Technical Leadership
Alongside your Contract Engineering Lead responsibilities, you will provide technical leadership within your core discipline.

This will include:

Supporting other Building Coordinators within your area of expertise.
Contributing to building specifications and technical requirements.
Undertaking design surveillance activities.
Providing technical advice and guidance to the wider project team.
Supporting the resolution of technical issues across the building portfolio.

What Were Looking For
Were interested in hearing from experienced engineering and design professionals who have worked on complex, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects, particularly those involving highly regulated, safety-critical or security-sensitive environments.

Essential Skills & Experience
You will ideally have:

Proven experience managing design delivery against nuclear safety and/or security requirements.
Experience designing facilities required to withstand internal and external hazards and meet security operational requirements.
Strong experience in design management and coordination across large, multi-disciplinary infrastructure projects.
Solid technical knowledge of building design and construction.
Strong understanding of UK building standards and engineering procedures.
Excellent knowledge of the RIBA Plan of Work 2013, or equivalent project delivery methodology.
Awareness of nuclear safety-related constraints and requirements.
Experience working within the UK regulatory and engineering environment.
Strong organisational skills, with the ability to coordinate, delegate and manage competing priorities.
A proactive and independent approach to problem solving.
Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
Accuracy, tenacity, diplomacy and a results-focused approach.
The ability to work with sensitive and confidential information.
Strong IT skills and proficiency with relevant engineering software.
Nuclear industry experience would be highly advantageous.

Desirable Experience
The following would be beneficial:

Experience qualifying equipment against internal and external hazard requirements.
Knowledge or experience of products and facilities designed for high-security environments.
Experience across the project lifecycle, including design, qualification, manufacturing, construction, commissioning or site-based operations.
Experience working within highly regulated environments.
Knowledge of conventional construction and design practices, including RIBA and BSRIA.
Previous demonstrable project management experience.
Knowledge of UK Building Regulations.
A basic understanding of EPR design and the nuclear fuel cycl