Senior Electrical Engineer - Current DV Clearance Essential
Defence Sector | Reading | Construction Bias | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Competitive Rate |
The Opportunity
We're recruiting a Senior Electrical Engineer for long-term, high-profile sustainment projects at a leading defence facility. This is a construction-biased role focused on delivering electrical work on active defence programmes, reporting to senior engineering leadership.
Contract Details: Outside IR35 | Competitive rate | Aldermaston-based | Minimum 3 days per week on-site (may require extended periods) | 9-day working fortnight | Long-term contract | Current DV clearance essential
CRITICAL: You must hold current DV (Developed Vetting) clearance. We cannot consider SC-cleared candidates. This role is on strategically important defence sustainment projects requiring the highest level of security clearance. You'll be working on active programmes, managing construction activities and delivering electrical solutions in a heavily regulated, security-critical environment.
What You'll Be Doing
On-site Construction Management
- Lead electrical construction activities on sustainment projects at the facility
- Work on active defence programmes
- Liaise with construction teams and coordinate work delivery
- Ensure safe, compliant execution of electrical construction work
- Support site operations and resolve technical issues
- Interface with client and site management teams
Electrical Technical Delivery
- Provide electrical engineering input on construction and sustainment activities
- Review and approve construction drawings and installation procedures
- Ensure compliance with electrical design intent and client specifications
- Lead electrical health and safety on construction activities
- Support commissioning and handover of electrical systems
Project & Site Management
- Manage schedules and coordinate construction activities
- Report on progress and issues to project management
- Support change control and technical decision-making
- Manage supplier and subcontractor relationships on-site
- Ensure compliance with site procedures and security requirements
Compliance & Safety
- Maintain site security and compliance with defence facility procedures
- Ensure all electrical work meets UK standards and defence requirements
- Work with safety teams to maintain strong site safety culture
- Support health, safety and environmental compliance on all activities
About You
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Current DV (Developed Vetting) clearance -you must hold valid, current clearance. SC-cleared candidates will not be considered.
- Degree in electrical engineering or related discipline
- Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status with a relevant professional body, or evidence of working towards these titles
- Minimum 10+ years' electrical engineering experience with construction bias
- Proven track record on construction and sustainment projects (not design-focused)
- Strong experience in:
- Electrical construction management and delivery
- Site-based electrical engineering
- Construction supervision and coordination
- Working on active operational facilities
- Defence sector or security-critical environments
- Expert knowledge of:
- Electrical installation and construction procedures
- UK electrical standards and regulations
- Site health, safety and security procedures
- Defence facility compliance requirements
- Strong leadership capability - comfortable co-ordinating construction teams and interfacing with client stakeholders
- Excellent communication skills - confident engaging with site teams, clients and senior management
- Safety and compliance focused - work with safety and security requirements at the forefront
- Adaptable and pragmatic - comfortable working in active, operational environments with changing priorities
Desirable
- Experience on defence or nuclear facilities
- Experience on sustainment or in-service projects
- Familiarity with on secure sites
- Site-based project management experience
- Knowledge of defence security procedures and protocols
- Experience managing electrical construction on complex facilities
Security Clearance
Current DV (Developed Vetting) clearance is essential. Only candidates holding valid, current DV clearance will be considered. SC-cleared candidates are not suitable for this role.
The Role in Practice
You'll be based in Reading, working minimum 3 days per week on-site (extended periods may be required depending on project needs). You'll work on active sustainment programmes, managing electrical construction activities over the barrier on security-critical defence projects.
This is hands-on, construction-focused electrical work in a heavily regulated, secure environment. You'll be interfacing directly with site teams, client management and senior engineers, with responsibility for electrical construction delivery, safety and compliance. Your experience in construction (not design) and your current DV clearance are critical to this role.