Lead Structural Engineer in Watford

Are you ready to shape the future of the built environment? At BRE, we don’t just respond to industry change, we lead it. We’re looking for an exceptional Lead Structural Engineer to play a pivotal role in delivering innovative, evidence-based solutions that improve the safety, sustainability, and performance of buildings. This is a rare opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with strategic influence, working at the forefront of research, standards, and real-world application. If you’re passionate about engineering excellence and want your work to make a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Help BRE make buildings safer and more sustainable! BRE aims to be the world’s leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world.

The Lead Structural Engineer provides technical leadership for structural engineering activities within BRE’s Structural team, delivering high-quality engineering, testing, and assurance services that support business growth and industry impact.

• Lead and manage a complex structural engineering function, delivering a complete technical service against agreed objectives and growth targets.
• Oversee the delivery of structural engineering projects, ensuring technical quality, compliance with relevant BS and EN standards, and alignment with client requirements.
• Develop and interpret test regimes based on structural design principles, including static and dynamic behaviour.
• Manage laboratory-based activities to ensure safe, consistent, and reliable testing outcomes.
• Coordinate engineers, technicians, and laboratory staff to achieve cohesive and efficient project delivery.
• Provide technical input to business development activities, including client engagement, proposal development, and representation at industry events.
• Act as a technical authority on complex client enquiries, producing high-quality technical proposals and reports.
• Support inspection, assessment, and reporting activities relating to UK construction methods, materials, and structural fire performance.
• Contribute to the strategic development and profile of the Structural Technology team and associated laboratories.

• Chartered Structural Engineering expertise with strong technical authority in structural engineering and testing.
• Proven capability in leading and managing complex structural engineering activities and technical services.
• Strong working knowledge of BS and EN codes and standards, and their application to structural design and test regimes.
• Demonstrated understanding of static and dynamic structural behaviour and engineering mechanics.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, technicians, and laboratory staff.
• Ability to develop and review high-quality technical proposals, reports, and inspection documentation.
• Experience contributing technical input to business development, client engagement, and external representation.
• Knowledge of UK construction methods, materials, and historic and modern construction forms.
• Experience with structural fire design and assessment in accordance with relevant standards.
• Proficiency in relevant engineering and reporting tools, including AutoCAD and standard Microsoft applications.
• Commercial awareness, with experience contributing to income generation and workload throughput.
• Ability to support the technical reputation and profile of BRE and its Structural Technology capabilities.

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.

• Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution.
• Life assurance – 4x your basic salary.
• Enhanced maternity package.

• HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more.
• Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points.

• Learning & development – Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform.
• Professional membership reimbursement.

For full details on our benefits, see BRE Employee Benefits.

This role requires full-time presence at our Watford office. You must live within a commutable distance.

Closing date: 06/02/26. If successful in the first stage, you will be invited to a virtual or in-person second-stage interview.

BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.