Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative infrastructure design projects for maritime defence, shaping the future of ports and shipyards.
- Company: Join Mott MacDonald, a global leader in engineering and consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, private medical insurance, generous holiday, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in maritime defence while developing your skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering and experience in multidisciplinary projects required.
- Other info: Embrace a culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion while advancing your career.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy. The Principal Ports Engineer – Defence supports projects for the UK Ministry of Defence and international partners in maritime defence, delivering technical infrastructure design and development across ports, shipyards and dockyards.
Responsibilities
- Lead technical infrastructure design projects for dockyards, shipyards and ports, including docks, jetties, dolphins, quay structures, dredging, breakwaters and revetments.
- Guide and develop team members on technical aspects of projects, particularly within the maritime defence sector.
- Collaborate constructively with colleagues, sharing knowledge and driving projects to successful outcomes while meeting profit, deadline and quality targets.
- Contribute to bidding and winning work through client knowledge and understanding of technical requirements and risks.
Candidate specification
- A degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (or equivalent).
- Chartered with a relevant professional institution (or equivalent).
- Experience working in multidisciplinary projects, ideally within ports, coastal or offshore environments.
- Familiarity with industry codes & standards.
- Strong communication, teamwork and problem‑solving skills.
- Willingness to travel overseas for project assignments.
- Access to appropriate Security Clearance.
Benefits
- Health and wellbeing: Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues. Health cash plan to support everyday health costs. Wellbeing programme including support for menopause and general wellbeing. Option to flex salary into a wide range of health benefits.
- Financial wellbeing: Pension contributions matched between 4.5% and 7%. Life assurance up to 4× basic salary, with option to increase to 6×. Income protection scheme, critical illness insurance and payroll saving benefits. Annual bonus schemes.
- Lifestyle: Minimum 33–35 days holiday per year, increased to 35 days after 5 years of service. Holiday entitlements and flexible leave options. Employee saving schemes and discounts.
- Enhanced family and carers leave: 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, two weeks paid paternity/partner leave. Up to 5 additional days leave for significant caring responsibilities, with two paid days.
- Learning and development: Annual professional institution subscription and mentoring opportunities. Opportunities to develop technical and soft skills through formal training and self‑development.
Equality, diversity and inclusion: We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business. We encourage individual expression and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can contribute.
UK Immigration: We are not offering sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. We welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative routes.
Principal Ports Engineer - Defence in Bristol employer: Mott MacDonald
Contact Detail:
Mott MacDonald Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Ports Engineer - Defence in Bristol
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Principal Ports Engineer role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in multidisciplinary projects and your knowledge of industry codes. We want to see how you can bring your expertise in civil engineering to the table, especially in maritime defence!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework before the interview! Research Mott MacDonald and their recent projects in maritime defence. We want to see that you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their success. Plus, prepare some questions to show you’re engaged and thinking critically about the role.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. We’re excited to see your application for the Principal Ports Engineer position and can’t wait to potentially welcome you to the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Ports Engineer - Defence in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Ports Engineer role. Highlight your experience in maritime defence and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your familiarity with industry codes and standards.
Showcase Teamwork and Leadership: Since this role involves guiding team members, make sure to highlight your teamwork and leadership experiences. Share examples of how you've collaborated on projects and helped others grow – we love seeing that!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mott MacDonald
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Principal Ports Engineer, you'll need to showcase your expertise in maritime defence. Brush up on your knowledge of technical infrastructure design, especially related to docks, jetties, and breakwaters. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and the challenges you faced.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves guiding and developing team members, so be prepared to share examples of how you've led teams in the past. Highlight your ability to collaborate and drive projects to successful outcomes while meeting deadlines and quality targets.
✨Understand the Client's Needs
Mott MacDonald values client knowledge and understanding of technical requirements. Research the company’s recent projects and their clients, particularly within the Ministry of Defence. This will help you demonstrate your insight into their needs during the interview.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in multidisciplinary projects. Prepare to discuss specific scenarios where you identified risks and implemented solutions, showcasing your strong communication and teamwork abilities.
