Electrical Design & CAD Jobs
Design engineers, CAD technicians and BIM modellers shaping electrical systems from concept to construction.
Key Electrical Design & CAD Capabilities
The skills and strengths employers look for in this field.
AutoCAD & AutoCAD Electrical
Producing 2D schematics, general arrangement drawings, containment and small power/lighting layouts to current drawing standards.
Revit & BIM Modelling
Building coordinated 3D electrical models, families and sheets within federated BIM workflows (BIM Level 2 / ISO 19650).
Electrical Calculations
Cable sizing, volt-drop, fault level, discrimination and load assessments in line with BS 7671, often using AmTech/ProDesign or Trimble software.
Lighting Design
Interior and exterior lighting schemes and emergency lighting using DIALux or Relux, meeting CIBSE and relevant standards.
Regulatory Knowledge
Applying BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations), Building Regulations Part P/L, and fire and life-safety requirements to designs.
Design Coordination
Clash detection and spatial coordination with structural, mechanical and architectural disciplines across projects.
Technical Documentation
Preparing specifications, schedules, O&M information and design reports for clients and contractors.
Electrical Design & CAD Market Overview
Electrical Design & CAD is the technical design arm of the UK electrical sector, spanning building services consultancies, M&E contractors, panel builders and specialist design houses. Professionals in this field translate client briefs and regulatory requirements into schematics, layouts, cable calculations and coordinated models used on site.
Demand is consistently strong, driven by construction activity, building retrofit and decarbonisation programmes, data centre growth and the electrification of heat and transport. The widespread adoption of BIM on public and major private projects has made Revit and Autodesk tooling a core requirement alongside traditional AutoCAD skills.
Roles range from drafting-focused CAD and BIM technicians to chartered-track design engineers responsible for calculations, compliance and client-facing deliverables. Hybrid and remote working is common for design roles, and contract/day-rate opportunities are plentiful in building services and infrastructure.
Knowledge of BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations), lighting design via tools such as DIALux or Relux, and software including AmTech/Trimble ProDesign or similar is highly valued, as is experience coordinating designs within multidisciplinary BIM environments.
Electrical Design & CAD Salary Guide
Indicative ranges — actual pay varies by location, experience and employer.
Indicative UK ranges (GBP); London and the South East typically sit at the upper end. Contract day rates are usually outside IR35 only where the engagement genuinely qualifies — many agency and umbrella roles are inside IR35.
See the full Electrical Design & CAD salary breakdown by level and location →
Electrical Design & CAD Job Roles
Common job titles and roles for Electrical Design & CAD professionals.
Professional Bodies & Qualifications
IET Membership / Chartered Engineer
Professional registration through the Institution of Engineering and Technology (via the Engineering Council); valued for senior design roles.
BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations) 18th Edition
The UK national standard for electrical installations; working knowledge is essential for design and compliance.
HNC / HND / Degree in Electrical Engineering
Common academic routes into design roles; a degree is often preferred for the chartered engineer pathway.
Autodesk Revit / AutoCAD Certification
Vendor certifications demonstrating proficiency in the core CAD and BIM tools used across the sector.
CIBSE Membership
The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers; relevant for building services electrical and lighting designers.
CSCS Card
Construction Skills Certification Scheme card required for site access when visiting projects.
Career Path & Progression
CAD / Design Technician
Produces drawings and models under supervision, develops AutoCAD/Revit proficiency and learns electrical fundamentals and standards.
Electrical Designer / Design Engineer
Takes ownership of design packages, performs calculations, interprets briefs and coordinates with other disciplines.
Senior Design Engineer
Leads design on projects, mentors juniors, manages client relationships and signs off technical deliverables; often working toward IEng/CEng.
Principal / Lead Engineer or Design Manager
Sets design strategy, manages teams and workload, and holds overall technical and commercial responsibility for projects.