Associate Structural Engineer - Transportation

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. We believe transportation is more than movement; it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

Your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities, and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental specialists, and management consultants across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation and technical excellence.

About You: We are looking for someone who is a personable self-starter with the ability to project a positive ‘can do’ professional attitude at all times while maintaining good working relationships. Someone who enjoys working collaboratively across disciplines and can establish excellent working rapport within the team, business, and with clients, with the ability to work under pressure, handle a varied workload, and keep to tight deadlines whilst maintaining the highest level of technical excellence.

About the Role: As an Associate Structural Engineer, you will have the opportunity to provide management to the Structures/Transportation group, whilst monitoring and delivering projects with effective use of resources relative to fee with maximum profitability, maintaining technical quality, professionalism, and completing all design activities to programme.

Responsibilities: As an Associate Structural Engineer, we will count on you to:

• Lead the design, management, and supervision of project delivery, establish client brief, technical requirements, scope of works, cost plan, and agree deliverables.
• Carry out structural engineering projects from concept design to detailed design, tender and contract on-site supervision, to completion, ensuring projects are undertaken in accordance with design briefs and that completion deadlines are achieved.
• Manage design teams to produce co-ordinated designs that are technically compliant to a consistent quality and standard.
• Ensure all design projects and reports within the group are technically compliant, to a consistent quality and standard.
• Maintain regular ‘in house’ design reviews and checks.
• Implement and manage QA systems and procedures on all projects.
• Implement Company Health and Safety.
• Ensure all designs respond to the CDM regulations.
• Monitor and control project progress, design variations, and project financial budgets.
• Lead the monitoring of resource relative to each project.
• Maintain excellent client relationships and contacts to achieve high levels of satisfaction and repeat business.
• Manage client’s expectations and promote a team approach.
• Pursue new business opportunities with existing clients and develop new business opportunities, including leading and preparing bids, proposals, and responses to tenders.
• Motivate yourself and manage staff within the group to build coherent high-performing teams.
• Set objectives, monitor performance, coach and develop staff to optimise their potential.
• Be familiar with various Engineering Conditions of Contract.
• Continuous adoption of all Civil and Structural engineering rules and regulations, endeavouring to always ensure protection of the Companies reputation and Professional Indemnity.

Requirements:

• Degree-qualified in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Chartered or working towards Chartership (IStructE or ICE preferred).
• Minimum 10 years’ industry experience, ideally working within a design consultancy, with expertise in leading and managing structural projects across a range of sectors including aviation, highway & roads, rail/transit, and maritime.
• Strong knowledge of UK design standards and regulations.
• Thorough understanding of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and the roles of Designer and Principal Designer.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software (e.g., Tekla, Tedds, ETABS, Robot, Revit).
• Experience in leading the production of client bids and proposals, including financial planning and contractual assessments.
• Knowledge of public sector frameworks is a plus.
• Commercial awareness and experience managing project finances.
• Confident communicator with leadership ambition.
• Leadership and people management skills and experience preferred.

Our Commitment: As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.