Associate or Senior Associate Electrical Engineer - Plymouth or Exeter

Associate or Senior Associate Electrical Engineer
Plymouth or Exeter

About us

Important: the job title “Associate” at Hoare Lea refers to a senior-level position (not an entry-level role); please check the role description for responsibility and seniority.

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.

About the role

We have an opportunity for an Associate or Senior Associate Electrical Engineer to play a key role in delivering high quality, sustainable electrical engineering solutions across multiple projects in the built environment.

You will join our Electrical team based in either our Plymouth or Exeter office.

We have a well-established reputation for delivering outstanding design on built environment projects throughout the Southwest and further afield.

We have maintained an office in Plymouth since 1, developing a strong regional reputation for award-winning projects.

Our Exeter office opened in January 2 at Broadwalk House in prestigious Southernhay West. We have brought a global network of excellence to the city by drawing on the expertise of our 1,+ talented engineers, commissioning agents, and energy analysts.

We are a recognised leader in the built environment, shaping some of the most ambitious and technically demanding projects across the residential, hospitality, leisure, commercial, and complex engineering sectors.

Our work spans cutting-edge healthcare and research facilities, high-performance data centres, critical infrastructure and state-of-the-art manufacturing and technology environments projects that push boundaries and deliver real-world impact.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, we combine innovation, technical expertise, and practical delivery to create solutions that are not only robust and reliable, but forward-thinking and sustainable. Our teams work at the forefront of the industry, collaborating with leading clients across the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally.

Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high-performing work culture.

We are seeking an Associate Electrical Engineer or Senior Associate Electrical Engineer to lead client relationships and deliver technically excellent, commercially sound electrical design across building services projects. This vacancy will suit an experienced Associate who manages project delivery and client engagement, or a Senior Associate who leads larger, multi-disciplines schemes, contributes to business development and helps shape a high performing local team.

In this key and varied role, you can expect to:

• Act as primary client contact for projects; define and agree briefs and represent Hoare Lea professionally at project meetings.
• Promote Hoare Lea’s services to create opportunities and support client objectives.
• Lead and coordinate project teams (including specialist groups), prioritise workloads and host/ chair internal project meetings.
• Deliver profitable, high‑quality schemes; monitor project expenditure, report costs and resource needs to line managers/partners.
• Delegate, review and check work from junior staff; contribute to staff development and performance objectives.
• Maintain awareness of consultant appointment conditions, procurement routes and commercial risks; identify and mitigate business risks.
• Contribute to technical knowledge sharing across the firm and ensure technical accuracy and compliance with relevant standards.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, consultants and contractors to support repeat business and growth.

Additional responsibilities for Senior Associate:

• Lead larger scale, multi‑discipline schemes, attend interviews and support bid preparation.
• Support development and leadership of the local team and report regularly senior management.

About you

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Degree in Electrical/Building Services Engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered status required for Senior Associate, desirable/working towards for Associate.
• Extensive project & client leadership experience.
• Strong technical competence in electrical building services, working to applicable regulations and design guides.
• Ability to lead integrated design teams, coordinate with other disciplines and deliver technically accurate designs.
• Excellent client‑facing, written and verbal communication skills; able to manage difficult situations.
• Demonstrable commercial awareness: monitor project costs, identify/mitigate risks and contribute to profitable delivery.
• Proven people leadership: motivate, delegate and develop team members — leads projects (Associate) or leads teams and local practice (Senior Associate).
• Highly organised with strong planning skills; able to work under own initiative and deliver to demanding timescales.
• IT literate with proficiency in industry software and BIM workflows.
• Committed to continuous professional development and knowledge‑sharing.