Senior Authorising Engineer

Senior Authorising Engineer
Reports to: Head of Environmental Health & Safety (UK)
Location: UK-wide (with travel to multiple project sites)
Department: EHS (Environmental Health & Safety)
Overview
As the Senior Authorising Engineer, you will serve as the subject matter expert and central authority for electrical safety across all UK operations, ensuring compliance with Control of Hazardous Energy (COHE) policies, client-specific requirements, and all applicable UK legislation. This senior leadership role involves developing, implementing, and continually improving the electrical safety management system across the business.
You will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of electrical safety, providing oversight and assurance for all electrical works and energisation activities across projects. This includes leading the authorisation of personnel, auditing compliance, and standardising safe systems of work.
As a senior representative of the company, you will embody the organisation’s core values: integrity, dependability, safety, pride, and quality.
Your Responsibilities
* Monitor, review, and advise on the effectiveness of electrical safety procedures across all projects in accordance with the EHS Management System and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
* Develop and maintain COHE documentation, including Electrical Safety Plans and Procedures, ensuring alignment with client and regulatory requirements.
* Lead the authorisation process for all personnel performing electrical works, including competency assessment, formal appointment, and record management.
* Maintain up-to-date logs of all Authorised Persons and ensure that only competent personnel are assigned to electrical tasks.
* Oversee the Permit to Work system, ensuring appropriate control of permit records, keys, and logs.
* Ensure all project sites operate a lockable Mimic Chart System that clearly identifies the status of LV electrical energisation.
* Verify that all Authorised Persons understand, manage, and maintain the Mimic Chart system accurately, including adherence to colour-coding protocols.
* Ensure each site implements and maintains a project-specific Lock Out/Tag Out (LOTO) system, and that applicable Safe Start procedures are in place.
* Validate that all Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) for energisation activities are completed and approved prior to commencement.
* Ensure each site is equipped with calibrated test equipment and proving units for safe operation.
* Lead pre-energisation electrical safety audits for each project (minimum two weeks prior to energisation).
* Assign electrical work only to authorised and competent personnel, ensuring appropriate levels of supervision are in place.
* Guarantee that all completed electrical works are accompanied by correct and compliant certification and reporting.
* Provide guidance, training, and instruction to employees, sub-contractors, and third parties in relation to COHE policies and procedures.
* Deliver regular communication and updates on standards, legislation, and best practices to all relevant personnel.
* Drive continual improvement of the organisation’s Electrical Safety Policy and Objectives.
* Ensure all Authorised Persons maintain a thorough understanding of COHE systems, including legislative changes and technical standards.
About You
Experience & Skills
* Proven experience in a senior electrical safety or authorising engineer role within a construction, engineering, or industrial environment.
* In-depth understanding of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and related UK electrical safety legislation.
* Demonstrated experience managing electrical safety systems, authorisation of personnel, and permit to work processes.
* Strong leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
* Ability to prioritise workload and manage competing deadlines.
* Committed to continual professional development and excellence in electrical safety.
Personal Attributes
* Accepts full responsibility and accountability for electrical safety performance.
* Self-aware, dependable, and aligned with company values.
* Solutions-focused, collaborative, and committed to safe outcomes on every project