Job description
Ramboll is looking for an Electrical Design Engineer to join our growing Life Science & Pharma team.
You will work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team delivering technically demanding projects across the life sciences, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory and research sectors. Projects may range from new-build laboratories and research facilities through to refurbishment, retrofit and complex modifications within existing operational environments.
The role offers the opportunity to develop strong technical expertise while working closely with electrical, mechanical, public health, sustainability and other specialist disciplines.
You will contribute throughout the design process, from early feasibility and concept design through detailed design, procurement, construction and commissioning.
Your key responsibilities
As an Electrical Design Engineer, you will:
- Develop electrical building-services designs for laboratories, research facilities, pharmaceutical and other technically complex buildings.
- Undertake design and specification of:
- HV and LV electrical distribution systems
- Transformers and main switchgear
- Standby generation and UPS systems
- Small power and specialist power supplies
- General and emergency lighting
- Earthing and lightning protection
- Fire alarm and life-safety interfaces
- ICT, security and other ELV systems
- Prepare electrical calculations, technical specifications, drawings, schedules and reports.
- Undertake electrical load assessments and contribute to resilient and maintainable electrical infrastructure strategies.
- Carry out lighting calculations, cable sizing, voltage-drop, fault-level and protection studies using appropriate engineering software.
- Work with project BIM/Revit models and coordinate electrical services with the wider building design.
- Coordinate with mechanical engineers and specialist designers on equipment power requirements, controls and interfaces.
- Support the development of design solutions for laboratories and controlled environments where resilience, business continuity and reliability of electrical supplies are important design considerations.
- Undertake surveys and assessments of existing buildings and electrical infrastructure, including projects involving refurbishment and retrofit.
- Participate in design workshops, coordination meetings and technical reviews.
- Review contractor proposals, technical submissions and shop drawings against the design intent.
- Attend construction sites, undertake inspections and support testing, commissioning and witnessing activities.
- Assist with resolving technical issues during construction.
- Contribute to project documentation and quality-assurance processes.
- Work collaboratively with clients, architects, contractors, equipment suppliers and other engineering disciplines.
About you
We are looking for someone who is fundamentally a technically strong electrical engineer, with an interest in developing expertise within the Life Science & Pharma sector.
You will ideally have:
- A degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline.
- Experience in electrical building-services design within a consultancy, contractor or similar engineering environment.
- A sound understanding of LV electrical distribution and building electrical systems.
- Familiarity with relevant UK electrical and building-services standards, particularly BS 7671 / IET Wiring Regulations.
- Experience producing electrical calculations and technical design information.
- An understanding of engineering design through RIBA design stages.
- Experience using engineering design software such as Amtech/Trimble ProDesign, EOM, Dialux or equivalent.
- Experience working with Revit and BIM environments, or a willingness to develop these skills.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- An organised and methodical approach to engineering design.
- The ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary project team.
Life Science & Pharma experience
Previous experience of laboratories or pharmaceutical projects would be advantageous, but it is not essential.
Experience in any of the following would be particularly relevant:
- Research and development laboratories
- Containment laboratories
- CL2/CL3 environments
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- GMP facilities
- Cleanrooms and controlled environments
- Universities and research institutions
- Healthcare or other critical environments
- Mission-critical or high-resilience electrical infrastructure
We are particularly interested in engineers who are curious about how these environments operate and want to understand the relationship between scientific processes, specialist equipment, building services and electrical infrastructure.
You will be someone who enjoys getting into the detail of an electrical design while retaining an understanding of the wider project.
In Life Science & Pharma projects, that means thinking beyond simply providing power to a piece of equipment. You will increasingly develop an understanding of questions such as:
- What happens to the scientific process if the power supply fails?
- Which systems genuinely require UPS or standby generation?
- What level of resilience is appropriate?
- How will specialist laboratory equipment affect electrical loads and distribution?
- How can electrical infrastructure accommodate future changes in scientific equipment?
- How can existing infrastructure be reused effectively on refurbishment projects?
- How do electrical systems interact with ventilation, containment, controls and life-safety systems?
You will be encouraged to challenge assumptions and develop practical, coordinated and technically robust solutions.
This role provides a pathway to develop from an Electrical Design Engineer into an engineer capable of taking technical ownership of electrical building-services design on complex projects.
You will work alongside experienced engineers and specialists and will have opportunities to develop your knowledge of:
- Electrical infrastructure and distribution
- Resilience and critical-power strategies
- Laboratory and pharmaceutical design
- Building-services coordination
- Sustainable and low-carbon electrical design
- Existing-building assessment and retrofit
- Construction, commissioning and technical assurance
We would also support your professional development toward Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through an appropriate professional institution.
Our Life Science & Pharma team brings together building-services engineers and specialists to solve the particular challenges associated with scientific, research and regulated environments.
Electrical engineering is central to these projects. Modern laboratories contain increasingly sophisticated scientific equipment, automation and digital infrastructure, while clients require facilities that are resilient, adaptable, energy efficient and capable of responding to changing research and manufacturing requirements.
You will therefore work closely with colleagues across multiple disciplines, contributing your electrical expertise while developing a broader understanding of how successful science facilities are designed and operated.
Alongside technical competence, we value people who:
- Are genuinely curious about engineering and how buildings work.
- Take ownership of their designs.
- Are comfortable asking questions and challenging assumptions.
- Communicate clearly with engineers from other disciplines.
- Understand that good design is not simply about compliance, but about delivering the right solution for the client.
- Enjoy working collaboratively.
- Want to continue developing technically rather than simply producing drawings and calculations.
What we can offer you
- Commitment to your development
- Leaders guided by our Leadership Principles
- A culture that welcomes you as the unique person you are
- Inspiration from colleagues, clients, and projects
- The long-term thinking of a foundation-owned company
Ready to join us?
Please submit your application with your up-to-date CV. We invite diversity in all its forms and encourage applicants from all groups to apply.
Thank you for taking the time to apply! We look forward to receiving your application.
Work at the heart of sustainable change with Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland
Ramboll is a global architecture, engineering, and consultancy company. As a foundation-owned people company, founded in Denmark, we believe that the purpose of sustainable change is to create a thriving world for both nature and people. So, that’s where we start – and how we work. Our history is rooted in a clear vision of how a responsible company should act and being open and curious is a cornerstone of our culture. Ramboll in the United Kingdom and Ireland has a proven track record of sustainable and responsible business and is a top ten engineering and environmental and sustainability consultancy in the UK, with more than 1,500 employees across 16 offices. Ramboll experts deliver innovative solutions across Buildings, Transport, Environment & Health, and Energy. In 2024, Ramboll was included in the Sunday Times’ list of Best Places to Work.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
Equality, diversity, and inclusion are at the heart of what we do. At Ramboll, we believe that diversity is a strength and that different experiences and perspectives are essential to creating truly sustainable societies. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive work environment where everyone is able to flourish and reach their potential. We also know how important it is to achieve the right balance of where, when, and how much you work. At Ramboll, we offer flexibility as part of our positive and inclusive approach to work. We invite applications from candidates of all backgrounds and characteristics. As a Disability Confident Committed employer, Ramboll ensures opportunities are accessible to candidates with disabilities. Please let us know if there are any changes we could make to the application process to make it more comfortable for you. You can contact us at job.advert.accessibility@ramboll.com with such requests.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
