About Barhale Design Services
Barhale Design Services is Barhale's in-house design specialists, delivering innovative engineering solutions across major infrastructure projects. Combining deep industry expertise with practical construction knowledge, we provide design support from concept through to detailed delivery.
Our collaborative approach combines value engineering, digital innovation, and sustainable design principles to create buildable solutions that deliver best value, reduce carbon impact, and meet our clients' objectives.
As part of the Barhale Group, we work at the forefront of industry developments, helping shape the future of critical infrastructure while delivering lasting benefits for clients, communities and the environment.
Who are Barhale?
Barhale is a business founded on family values, having been established by our Chairman, Dennis Curran, in 1980. We are one of the largest privately owned civil engineering and infrastructure specialists in the UK, with over 40 years of experience in providing design, civil engineering and maintenance services working across multiple sectors, including:
Water
Transport
Built environment
Energy
We operate as a tier one partner for blue chip, regulated and private clients, working as part of large frameworks, joint ventures and alliances, as well as on individual standalone projects, developing long-term relationships based on delivering to the Barhale values which have been integral to our business since their inception in 1985.
Our direct delivery model is at the core of everything we do, as we believe that people are our greatest asset. Therefore, we robustly source, train and retain all our own frontline delivery teams as well as management and support services. We employ over 1,200 employees nationwide.
We possess a range of specialist skills to support our civil engineering and infrastructure activities, including:
Tunnelling
MEICA
Temporary and permanent design
Steel-fabrication
Signs (design and fabrication)
Health & safety equipment and products, including PPE
Company Website:
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Head/Principal Engineer – Structural
Discipline Head/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.
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 water company 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 in-house 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
Essential:
Extensive structural design experience at Senior or Principal level
Degree or equivalent HND in Structural Engineering or a related discipline
Chartered Engineer status
Background within one or more regulated sectors, such as: water, rail, highways/bridges, oil & gas, nuclear
Understanding of engineering standards, design practices and construction methods
Worked within multidisciplinary engineering teams
Proficient IT and digital design capability
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
Desireable:
Previous experience in a Discipline Lead, Technical Authority or Principal Engineer role
Experience using structural design and RC software ideally within the Water and/or rail sectors
Ability to support tenders and technical proposals
Familiarity with client-specific technical standards across multiple frameworks
Proven experience as an independent checker across multiple projects
Conversant with BIM/common data environment workflows
Contribute to recruitment, onboarding or competency framework development
Exposure to design-centre and framework consultancy model
TPBN1_UKTJ
Disicpline Head - Structural Design in Stretford employer: Barhale
Barhale is an exceptional employer that prides itself on its family values and commitment to employee development. With over 40 years of experience in the civil engineering sector, we offer a supportive work culture that fosters growth and innovation, alongside competitive benefits tailored to enhance your career as a Pipe Fitter Mains Layer. Join us in a dynamic environment where your contributions are valued and you can make a meaningful impact on vital infrastructure projects across the UK.
