Electrical Project Engineer

Project Engineer

Location: Kane Engineering Ltd, Glenford Road, Newtownards, BT23 4AU
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Application Deadline: 7th October 2026

About Kane Engineering Ltd

With over 55 years of industry experience, Kane Engineering Ltd. is a trusted leader in the design, manufacture, and assembly of low-voltage electrical switchboards and control panels. Our products are supplied throughout the UK and Ireland, supporting the construction industry as well as specialist sectors including telecommunications, electricity substations, and EV charging infrastructure.

As a company, we are proud of our continued growth and our commitment to investing in people. We believe in developing talent from within, providing clear career pathways for individuals who are eager to learn and build a long-term career with us. Many of our current senior managers, Project Engineers and Production Team leaders began their journey as apprentices with Kane Engineering, some joining us as young as 16 years old. Their success reflects the opportunities available to those who are motivated, committed, and ready to grow.

Due to continued growth, we are recruiting a Senior Project Engineer to join our Engineering team. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the successful candidate will take responsibility for the technical and commercial delivery of low-voltage switchgear and control-panel projects from contract review through design, manufacture, testing and handover.

This role suits an experienced project engineer who can lead multidisciplinary work, make sound technical decisions, manage customer requirements and support the development of less experienced engineers.

The Role

The Senior Project Engineer will lead the delivery of low-voltage switchgear assemblies and control-panel projects. The role owns technical scope, programme coordination, design reviews, component selection, manufacturing support, factory acceptance testing, documentation and customer communication. The postholder will ensure that projects meet IEC 61439, applicable BS EN standards, customer specifications, agreed budgets and delivery dates.

Key Responsibilities

· Lead assigned projects from contract review and design through manufacture, testing, handover and close-out.

· Develop and maintain design schedules.

· Define the technical scope and translate customer specifications into clear engineering requirements.

o Review contract documents, identify gaps and agree technical clarifications with customers and internal teams.

o Identify technical, programme and supply-chain risks and implement practical mitigation actions.

o Control technical changes and assess their effect on cost, programme, compliance and documentation.

o Coordinate engineering resources and priorities across concurrent projects.

· Lead the design of LV switchgear assemblies, distribution boards and control panels.

· Review and approve electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, single-line diagrams and general arrangement drawings.

· Specify and approve electrical components, including:

o Air circuit breakers, moulded-case circuit breakers and miniature circuit breakers

o Contactors, relays and control devices

o Busbar systems and associated supports

o Protection relays and metering equipment

o Current transformers and instrument transformers

o Control power supplies and auxiliary equipment

· Provide clear technical direction to production teams and resolve drawing or build queries promptly.

· Review assemblies against approved designs and ensure departures are formally assessed and recorded.

· Coordinate with procurement and suppliers to resolve technical and component-availability issues.

· Support design-for-manufacture reviews and improve standardisation, build quality and production efficiency.

· Plan and lead factory acceptance testing of completed switchgear assemblies.

o Ensure products and engineering records comply with:

o IEC 61439 for low-voltage switchgear and control gear assemblies

o Applicable BS EN standards and statutory requirements

o Customer specifications, approved drawings and project quality plans

· Review test results, approve corrective actions and close non-conformances before release.

· Own bills of materials and ensure component data is accurate and released on time.

· Review and approve design drawings, manufacturing information and as-built documentation.

· Produce or approve test procedures, test reports, inspection records and handover documentation.

· Maintain effective revision control and ensure project records are complete and traceable.

· Lead investigations into design, wiring, assembly and test issues.

· Identify root causes and implement corrective actions that prevent recurrence.

· Make timely engineering decisions and escalate matters that require management or specialist approval.

· Mentor junior engineers and technicians and share good engineering practice across the team.

· Plan engineering and testing activities in accordance with electrical safety procedures and approved safe systems of work.

· Ensure compliance with the company quality management system, health and safety policies and applicable standards.

· Promote a safe, organised and professional working environment and address unsafe conditions promptly.

About YouEssential Requirements

· HNC, HND or degree in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent relevant industry experience.

· Significant project engineering experience in electrical manufacturing, LV switchgear, control panels or a closely related sector.

· A proven record of delivering engineering projects through design, manufacture, testing and handover.

· Strong working knowledge of LV electrical systems, engineering drawings and IEC 61439 requirements.

· Ability to review and approve drawings, bills of materials, test documents and technical submissions.

· Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage priorities, risk, cost and programme commitments.

· Clear written and verbal communication, including customer-facing technical discussions and team leadership.

· Full UK driving licence.

· Sound judgement, attention to detail and a practical approach to technical problem solving.

Desirable Skills

· Proficiency with AutoCAD and Microsoft Excel or comparable engineering and project tools.

· Experience with electrical design software such as SolidWorks Electrical or SEE Electrical.

· Experience of switchgear manufacturing, site installation, commissioning or customer factory acceptance testing.

Professional Development

Kane Engineering supports continuing professional development in technical standards, project delivery, leadership and product knowledge. The successful candidate will be expected to maintain current knowledge of relevant standards and industry practice.

The role also includes opportunities to mentor developing engineers, contribute to engineering standards and lead improvement initiatives across design and manufacturing.

Working Hours

39 hours per week

· Monday to Thursday: 8:00am – 5:00pm

· Friday: 8:00am – 1:00pm

Lunch break: 1:00pm – 1:30pm (Monday to Thursday)

Salary and Benefits

· Competitive salary, dependent on experience

· Company pension scheme

· Free on-site parking

· 29 days’ annual leave, including statutory holidays

· Professional development and career progression within a growing engineering company

If you have the experience to lead electrical engineering projects and want to take responsibility for technical delivery in a manufacturing environment, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Equality Diversity and Inclusion

Kane Engineering is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person