Structural Principal Engineer / Discipline Head
Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced Principal Structural Engineer to take a leading role in delivering complex engineering design across regulated infrastructure sectors.
This is a senior position suited to a Chartered Engineer who enjoys combining technical excellence with leadership - someone who can guide design solutions, mentor engineers, and play a key role in shaping how engineering is delivered within a growing consultancy.
You will act as a technical authority for structural design, supporting both project delivery and the continued development of our engineering capability. The role combines hands-on principal-level design and checking work with discipline-wide technical standards, competency and governance responsibilities.
Working Location
Manchester, UK
Contract Type
Permanent position
The Role
As Principal Structural Engineer, you will take ownership of the structural engineering design input across multidisciplinary projects, ensuring designs are safe, efficient and fully aligned with client and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Design Delivery & Technical Assurance
Leading the development of practical, efficient and buildable structural design solutions
Reviewing and approving design deliverables, design risk assessments (DRAs), reports and technical specifications
Developing efficient and practical engineering solutions based on scopes, site visits and client requirements
Communicating design solutions clearly to clients and project teams
Directing and supporting engineers, CAD technicians and graduates
Guiding design work to ensure compliance with technical standards, professional guidance and sector specifications
Ensuring design changes are properly implemented and recorded within project documentation
Working within established design processes and procedures to maintain quality and consistency
Attending and leading design reviews, client meetings and technical discussions
Reviewing, or appointing competent checkers for structural designs produced inhouse or by subcontracted designers, to ensure compliance with required technical standards
Discipline Leadership & Technical Governance
Setting, communicating and maintaining structural engineering technical standards across all live projects
Verifying the technical competency of structural engineering staff before they are allocated to projects
Monitoring the discipline engineers' performance and utilisation
Identifying training needs and supporting CPD planning for the structural engineering team
Coordinating with other discipline leads on cross-discipline interface items, to ensure clear ownership where scope overlaps
Estimating structural design hours at tender stage, and supporting resource forecasting and capacity planning across active projects
Championing safety-in-design principles within structural engineering, ensuring CDM 2015 designer duties are embedded across all design and checking activity
Providing key technical guidance for both projects and tenders
Supporting the continuous improvement of engineering standards and design practices
About You
We are looking for a highly capable structural engineer with strong experience in regulated industries and a track record of delivering robust engineering solutions.
Requirements
Essential
10+ years' structural design experience at Senior or Principal level
Degree or HND in Structural Engineering or a related discipline
Chartered Engineer status
Experience within one or more regulated sectors, such as: water, rail, highways / bridges, oil and gas, nuclear
Strong understanding of engineering standards, design practices and construction methods
Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams
Strong IT and digital design capability
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Desirable
Previous experience in a Discipline Lead, Technical Authority or Principal Engineer role
Experience using structural design and reinforced concrete software
Experience within the water and/or rail sectors
Experience supporting tenders and technical proposals
Familiarity with client-specific technical standards across multiple frameworks
Experience as an independent checker across multiple projects
Familiarity with BIM / common data environment workflows
Experience contributing to recruitment, onboarding or competency framework development
Experience working in a design-centre or framework consultancy model
TPBN1_UKTJ
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