At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Hampshire's structures team and tackle complex engineering challenges.
- Company: Join Hampshire Engineering Services, shaping the future of infrastructure.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and generous leave entitlement.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and chartership support.
- Why this job: Make a visible impact on communities while developing your engineering career.
- Qualifications: Degree in civil/structural engineering and substantial senior-level experience required.
The predicted salary is between 68070 - 76341 £ per year.
Job Reference: HCC625311
Salary Range: £68,070 - £76,341 per annum
Work Location: Elizabeth II Court, Winchester (Hybrid Working)
Hours per week: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Closing Date: 6 December 2026
Shape the future of Hampshire’s structures. Ready to lead one of the South's largest structures portfolios? At Hampshire Engineering Services, you'll oversee more than 1,750 highway structures, providing strategic and technical leadership on assets that communities rely on every day.
The Role:
As Chief Engineer (Structures), you'll combine technical excellence with long-term ownership of infrastructure, influencing investment decisions, leading specialist teams and delivering sustainable engineering solutions with visible impact across Hampshire. This is an opportunity to work on complex engineering challenges while helping shape the county's future.
What you’ll do:
- Lead Hampshire's Structures team, providing professional, technical and strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of highway structures.
- Act as Hampshire's senior technical authority for highway structures, providing assurance on complex engineering decisions and approvals.
- Shape risk-based investment programmes that balance safety, resilience, sustainability and value for money.
- Drive innovation and best practice in asset management, inspection, design and maintenance strategies.
- Lead responses to significant structural events, providing expert advice to senior leaders, elected members and the public.
- Develop and inspire engineers at all career stages, supporting chartership, apprenticeships and professional growth.
What we’re looking for:
- You will be a credible and collaborative engineering leader who can move confidently between detailed professional judgement, strategic asset decisions, service leadership and engagement with senior stakeholders including elected members.
- A degree, or equivalent recognised qualification, in civil or structural engineering.
- Chartered Civil or Structural Engineer status, or equivalent professional standing supported by substantial recent and relevant experience.
- Substantial senior-level experience in bridge or highway structures design, assessment, asset management and technical assurance.
- A strong understanding of technical approval procedures, relevant national standards, structural Eurocodes and risk-based decision making.
- Proven leadership of multidisciplinary professional teams, including workforce planning, performance, recruitment and development.
- Strong commercial and financial management experience, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting and delivery in a consultancy or fee-earning environment.
- The judgement and communication skills to explain complex engineering risks and decisions clearly to senior officers, elected members, clients, partners and the public.
If you’re looking for a role where you can apply your technical expertise, influence long-term infrastructure decisions and help shape the future of Hampshire while maintaining a healthy work-life balance, we’d love to hear from you.
As a forward-looking local authority, our commitment to delivering an exceptional quality of life to our Hampshire residents also extends to our employees. It is important to us that our staff feel supported in their work. As such we can offer you a good work-life balance through flexible working and our excellent benefits package including:
- Access to Local Government Pension Scheme
- 26 - 30 days annual leave entitlement (dependent on Local Authority service)
- Interest free travel loans and discounts
Please note this post is Politically Restricted.
Contact Details for an Informal Discussion:
Hampshire County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment.
In order to combat discrimination, no unnecessary conditions or requirements will be applied which could have a disproportionately adverse effect on any one group. All sections of the population will have equal access to jobs. No applicant or employee will receive less favourable treatment because of age, disability, gender reassignment.
We are a Disability Confident Employer - committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.
Chief Engineer (Structures) in Winchester employer: Shared Services Partnership
Hampshire County Council is an exceptional employer for Social Workers, offering a supportive and collaborative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a focus on continuous learning, competitive benefits, and a commitment to work-life balance, you will find meaningful opportunities to make a difference in the lives of individuals with physical disabilities while enjoying the flexibility of hybrid working from Havant or Totton. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values compassion, respect, and professional integrity.
Contact Details:
Shared Services Partnership Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Engineer (Structures) in Winchester
✨Join Engineering Meetups!
Get yourself along to local engineering meetups or tech conferences. These are great places to connect with like-minded folks and industry leaders who might just have a lead on that full-time Chief Engineer (Structures) role you’re after at Shared Services Partnership.
✨Show Off Your Projects!
Don’t be shy about showcasing your engineering projects. Whether it’s a funky app, a mechanical design, or a complex algorithm, having a solid portfolio on platforms like GitHub can really make you stand out. Plus, it gives potential employers at Shared Services Partnership a taste of what you can bring to the table!
✨Engage with Online Communities
Dive into engineering forums and online communities, like Reddit or specific engineering Discord channels. Sharing your insights, asking questions, and being active can help you build connections that might lead to job opportunities at Shared Services Partnership.
✨Apply Through Company Websites
When you spot a role like Chief Engineer (Structures) at Shared Services Partnership, apply directly through their website. Often, this can show your genuine interest in the company and you might just get noticed quicker than via typical job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Engineer (Structures) in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When applying for an engineering role like Chief Engineer (Structures), it’s essential to highlight your technical skills. Include any relevant software or tools you're proficient in on your CV—think CAD software, simulation tools, or programming languages. Don't skimp on any engineering projects you've worked on that demonstrate your ability to solve complex problems.
Focus on Results and Impact:In the engineering world, we love numbers and real-world impact. Quantify your achievements wherever possible—like reducing costs by a certain percentage, improving efficiency, or successfully completing a project ahead of schedule. This gives your future employers at Shared Services Partnership a clear picture of the value you can bring.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to express your passion for engineering and explain why you’re drawn to Shared Services Partnership specifically. Share what aspects of their work excite you and how your values align with theirs. This is your chance to show a bit of personality while keeping it professional!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have any engineering certifications, especially ones that are recognised in your field, make sure to feature them prominently on your CV. They demonstrate not just your knowledge, but also your commitment to professional development, which is something we at StudySmarter value highly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Shared Services Partnership
✨Brush Up on Core Engineering Principles
Before heading into the interview with Shared Services Partnership, make sure you're solid on the fundamental engineering principles relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss concepts such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, or structural analysis, depending on the specifics mentioned in the job description. Don’t skip any hands-on projects or coursework; these can be excellent talking points!
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect technical questions or case studies during your interview—after all, engineering is all about solving problems! Prepare a few examples of how you've tackled engineering challenges in the past, whether at university or in any practical experience. Practising with mock technical interviews can really help you articulate your thought process and solutions.
✨Relate Your Experience to the Role
In a full-time role, employers like Shared Services Partnership want to see that you can adapt and grow within their team. Be ready to discuss how your previous internships, projects, or studies relate directly to the work you'll be doing. Highlight specific experiences that showcase your collaborative skills and how you've successfully worked within a team environment.
✨Know Your Tools and Software
Most engineering roles require familiarity with specific tools and software. Prepare to talk about your proficiency with programmes like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks if they’re relevant to the role. Even better, have examples of projects where you’ve used these tools, as it'll demonstrate your hands-on experience and readiness for the job.
