Principal Civils Engineer – Major Energy Infrastructure Project Locations: Abingdon, Oxfordshire Sector: Nuclear / Fusion Energy / Major Infrastructure Up to £80,000 plus company package Kenton Black are working with a leading infrastructure contractor to recruit an experienced Principal Civils Engineer to join a major, nationally significant UK energy infrastructure programme. This is an exceptional opportunity to become involved in the development of the UK's next generation of fusion energy infrastructure, working on a first-of-a-kind engineering programme that will help shape the future of clean energy. The successful candidate will become fully embedded within the programme's Design Authority team, providing authoritative civil and structural engineering expertise across the design and integration of buildings, infrastructure, facilities and civil structures. The Role As Principal Civils Engineer, you will play a key role in defining, integrating and assuring the civil and structural engineering design for a prototype fusion energy power plant. Working within the Design Authority, you will provide independent engineering judgement, technical leadership and assurance, ensuring design integrity across the wider programme. Your responsibilities will include: Defining and maintaining the civil engineering design vision, engineering principles and controlled design basis. Acting as the technical authority for the review and acceptance of civil and structural design outputs. Ensuring design integrity and integration across buildings, civil structures, infrastructure and wider plant systems. Establishing and maintaining engineering governance, standards, technical reviews and design controls. Providing technical leadership across civil engineering, structural design, groundworks and site-wide infrastructure. Supporting safety case development, regulatory scrutiny and construction readiness. Providing authoritative advice on civil and structural engineering safety, compliance and technical requirements. Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, designers and programme stakeholders to resolve complex technical challenges. About You We are looking to speak with experienced Principal Civils Engineers or senior civil and structural engineering professionals who have operated within complex, safety-critical or highly regulated environments. You will ideally have: A degree-level qualification in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a closely related discipline. Chartered Engineer status with an appropriate professional institution. Significant civil and structural engineering leadership experience. Previous experience operating as a Technical Authority, Design Authority specialist, Intelligent Client Engineer or Independent Assessor. Strong understanding of civil and structural design governance, verification, validation and technical assurance. Experience integrating buildings, structures, groundworks, infrastructure and multidisciplinary engineering interfaces. The ability to exercise independent engineering judgement and make robust technical decisions where design information is evolving or incomplete. Experience within nuclear, energy, defence or other safety-critical infrastructure environments would be highly advantageous. Project Locations Abingdon: Culham Campus, Oxfordshire The position will involve travel between programme locations. Working Arrangements Full-time, permanent opportunity. Based across Oxfordshire Programme-related travel required. Some flexibility around working hours is available. Please note: Unfortunately, visa sponsorship cannot be offered for this position. The Opportunity This is a rare opportunity to take on a senior engineering position within a nationally significant energy programme, contributing to the design and development of a first-of-a-kind fusion energy facility. For an experienced civil or structural engineering professional looking to apply their expertise to one of the UK's most exciting infrastructure and energy programmes, this represents an excellent next career opportunity. For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact Ben Symonds at Kenton Black Birmingham or get in touch now
Principal Civil Engineer in Brackley employer: Kenton Black
Join a leading subcontractor in the UK, where you will be part of a dynamic team working on a landmark £200m highways infrastructure project. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that values innovation and professional growth, offering our engineers the chance to develop their skills while contributing to significant civil engineering achievements. With a strong pipeline of work and long-term contract potential, this role provides not just a job, but a meaningful career path in a thriving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Civil Engineer in Brackley
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Kenton Black, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Principal Civil Engineer at Kenton Black.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kenton Black
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
