Principal Engineer - Cable Route Management

AreAre you a Principal Civil / Structural Engineer with strong experience in Cable Route Management Design? Do you have experience working on London Underground / TFL assets? Rate: £50-£55 per hour outside IR35 Contract length: Initial 6 months Start date: ASAP Location: Central London (Tues-Thurs) / Mon & Fri from home We are seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the cable route management (CMS) design for the Piccadilly Line New Works. If you have a proven track record in leading cable route management projects and thrive in a client-facing role, this position offers the perfect challenge for you to take full ownership of a high-profile infrastructure project. You will be joining a team delivering a critical infrastructure upgrade for the Piccadilly Line. This project, focused on cable route design, is a key package of work for a major client and is vital to the modernisation of London's transport network. This is a highly client-facing leadership role where you will operate directly under the Director, taking responsibility for project delivery, stakeholder management, and team coordination. You will manage a team of two engineers, ensuring deliverables are achieved within a challenging programme and cost framework. The successful candidate must be dynamic, proactive, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities. You will be expected to confidently manage change, react quickly to project issues, and provide clients with clear updates and solutions. Strong stakeholder management skills are essential, including the ability to push back professionally when required, manage client expectations appropriately, and provide direct, honest answers while maintaining strong working relationships. Company Culture You will be part of a collaborative and results-driven team that values proactive and engaged professionals. The culture encourages face-to-face interaction to drive projects forward, balanced with the flexibility that modern professionals require. Key Responsibilities: - Lead the project and act as the main point of contact for the client and TFL. - Manage the design process and oversee a team of junior engineers. - Perform assurance and Category 2 checks on designs. - Attend and lead weekly client meetings. - Ensure design packages are delivered in line with programme and cost requirements. - Manage change effectively and communicate project impacts clearly to stakeholders. - React quickly to issues and implement practical solutions to maintain project progress. - Build strong client relationships while confidently managing expectations and challenging decisions where necessary in a professional manner. Requirements: - Essential experience working within the London Underground (LU) environment and a strong understanding of its assurance processes (e.g. CDS). - An understanding of cable route design is required to guide the team and check work. - Must be a strong, professional communicator comfortable in a client-facing leadership role. - Ability to manage stakeholders, navigate change, and work under programme pressure. - Confident in providing direct feedback and managing client expectations appropriately. - Ability to work 2-3 days per week at the client's Central London office. This is a contract role with an initial duration of approximately 9 months