Lead Design Engineer (Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation)

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

•    We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience from £48,249 to £60,314.

•    Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year).

•    Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution).

•    Development opportunities in line with the Lead Design Engineer progression plan.

•    25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!

•    Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.

•    A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.

•    Retail savings scheme.

•    Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we’re moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in Summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future (hybrid working – minimum 1 day per week in the office).

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

What we do!

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry.  Our Engineering Design team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

This role is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about engineering excellence, thrives in a collaborative multi disciplinary environment, and wants to play a central part in shaping the future of water infrastructure.

Our Engineering Design Team sits at the heart of our capital programme. We lead the technical definition, governance and design of projects across water, wastewater, bioresources, nature based solutions, networks, treatment and beyond.

We are building a Design Authority and Engineering centre of excellence that will set the standard for how Yorkshire Water designs and delivers infrastructure.

Where you fit in!

As our Lead Design Engineer (EICA) you will have a:

•    Minimum 5 years’ EICA design experience, demonstrating strong technical capability.

•    Expertise in wastewater and clean water infrastructure and associated systems.

•    Work across multidisciplinary design projects, collaborating with Strategic Planning Partners, Design Partners and Delivery Partners.

•    Provide technical oversight to ensure high‑quality EICA design delivery throughout the full project lifecycle.

•    Deliver proficient and efficient engineering design support to ensure schemes and programmes comply with Yorkshire Water Engineering Specification, relevant design guidance, current legislation and applicable British and European standards.

•    Ensure designs are completed to the required quality, safety, and regulatory standards.

•    Report directly to the Senior EICA Engineer.

What skills and qualifications you will need:

•    Deliver high‑quality EICA engineering design across water, wastewater, bioresources and storm‑overflow programmes as part of a multidisciplinary project team.

•    Review and assure design documentation from Strategic Planning, Design and Delivery Partners, ensuring consistency, technical accuracy and alignment with project requirements.

•    Develop technically robust, innovative and cost‑effective design solutions in line with TOTEX and whole‑life‑cycle principles (cost and carbon).

•    Apply strong technical expertise in LV design, cable calculations, protection studies, instrumentation, PLCs, HMIs, telemetry, automation networks and preparation of User Requirement Specifications (URS).

•    Support design governance processes including value engineering, constructability reviews, HAZOP/HAZCON workshops and adherence to Yorkshire Water engineering specifications and BS 7671.

•    Work closely with suppliers, planning and procurement teams to enhance Standard Designs and increase Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) adoption.

•    Champion high standards of safety, sustainability and risk management, ensuring all designs comply with relevant legislation, British/European Standards and internal safety policies.

•    Provide leadership, mentoring and technical guidance to junior engineers and graduates, promoting knowledge sharing and team development.

•    Manage multiple workstreams and deliverables to agreed deadlines, maintaining strong attention to detail and effective document control throughout the design process.

•    Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to a range of stakeholders, influencing decision‑making and supporting cross‑functional collaboration.

•    Full valid driving license with less than 6 points.

You will also benefit from having:

•    Experience or working understanding of High Voltage systems, including liaising with DNOs (e.g., Northern PowerGrid) for power upgrades, new connections and site supply agreements.

•    Skilled in implementing Functional Safety systems and contributing to or chairing HAZOPs and other safety related design reviews.

•    Competent in Autodesk or equivalent design software, with experience producing Pipework & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).

•    Commercial awareness within project delivery, including project planning, working with Gantt charts and supporting project management activities.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

If you’ve got experience as a Lead Design Engineer EICA and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.  Please apply online and complete the application process by uploading an up-to-date copy of your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience for the role.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Closing date for this role is 29th March 2026.

No agencies please.