Civil Design Engineer

Robert Bird Group is a leading international structural, geotechnical, civil and construction engineering consultancy. We are specialists in the built environment and complex infrastructure. We maintain a one firm ethos and family culture which has allowed the business to operate across all barriers, always focused to achieve best for project, and best for our people.

As a Design Engineer in our civil's team, you will play a key role in delivering sustainable, technically excellent, and commercially successful engineering solutions across a diverse range of masterplanning and infrastructure projects. You will support project delivery, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to business development and technical governance within the UK practice.

• General & Leadership
  • Motivate project teams to deliver optimised and ethical design solutions.
  • Support tenders, bids, fee proposals, and financial forecasting.
  • Assist in project financial management, cost control, invoicing, and resource planning.
  • Mentor and supervise graduate engineers, fostering their development and accountability.
  • Support onboarding and procurement of internal and external suppliers.
  • Ensure compliance with RBG’s IMS (ISO 9001 & 14001) and Health & Safety policies (CDM 2015).
  • Contribute to the development of technical excellence and continuous improvement in the UK practice.
• Business Development
  • Support implementation of business development strategies.
  • Promote RBG to clients, build relationships, and contribute to securing repeat business.
  • Assist in marketing efforts including presentations, technical articles, and capability statements.
  • Identify project leads and support conversion into confirmed work.
• Project Management
  • Assist in fee proposals, contract reviews, and project coordination.
  • Liaise with clients to understand and meet evolving requirements.
  • Represent RBG at client meetings and manage external supplier procurement.
  • Forecast project costs and revenue, manage invoicing and fee variations.
  • Ensure quality system compliance and support debtor collection.
• Technical Delivery
  • Lead design for masterplanning projects across regeneration, aviation, infrastructure, and industrial sectors.
  • Deliver Flood Risk Assessments, drainage strategies, and sustainable urban design solutions.
  • Conduct hydraulic modelling (Microdrainage), geometric design (Civil 3D), and clash detection (Navisworks).
  • Secure statutory approvals (S104, S106, S38, S278) and respond to planning queries.
  • Review and check technical documentation and coordinate below-ground design.
  • Attend risk management and value engineering workshops and respond to construction queries.

• Project profitability and cost control
• Stakeholder and client satisfaction
• Technical excellence and innovation
• Development of junior staff
• Implementation of quality systems
• Creation of a collaborative team environment

We’re looking for a motivated and technically skilled Design Engineer with a degree in Civil Engineering or a related field, ideally working towards or holding Chartered/Incorporated status with ICE. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven experience in delivering infrastructure and bespoke projects.
• Proficiency in industry-standard design software (e.g., Civil 3D, Microdrainage, Navisworks).
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative, enthusiastic attitude.
• Leadership capability to guide graduate engineers and drive team success.
• Active engagement in Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Solid understanding of appointment forms and construction contracts.
• Confidence in client liaison and relationship building across multidisciplinary teams.
• A proactive, accountable approach to problem-solving and project delivery.

RBG is a growing, fast-paced business which offers birthday leave, corporate health insurance rates, paid parental leave, recognition awards, an active and engaging social club, along with a supportive team environment where healthy lifestyle balance is encouraged.

We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you require any reasonable adjustments or additional support—such as receiving the application form in an alternative format—please don’t hesitate to contact our recruitment team.

Please note that any unsolicited resumes or CVs submitted through our website or directly to SJ Group employees’ personal email accounts will be considered the property of SJ Group. As such, we will not be liable for any agency fees associated with these submissions.