At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of innovative railway bridges and structures across exciting projects.
- Company: Join Stantec, a top-rated company known for its inclusive and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a growing team with excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on infrastructure while developing your engineering skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: BEng or MEng in Civil/Structural Engineering and Chartered Engineer status required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking to recruit a Principal level Civil/Structural Engineer to join our Bridges and Rail Team based in Northampton.
About The Role: This is a great opportunity to join a busy and ambitious group with a strong forward workload. The role can be based in Northampton or Birmingham. We have a strong bridges, stations and civil structures capability across the UK with a significant pool of expertise and experience working across a wide variety of projects. This is an exciting time to join Stantec. We have significant growth plans for our Bridges and Rail team, as well as the business as a whole. We can offer the opportunity to work amongst collaborative multi-disciplinary teams, exciting projects, as well as strong prospects for self-development and career growth. We can also offer flexible and hybrid working options to help ensure you have a good work life balance.
Your Impact: You will play a key role in leading the technical and managerial delivery of railway bridges, stations, and associated rail structures, working across projects of varying scale and complexity at both regional and national levels. With project work increasingly focused on larger, multidisciplinary schemes, you’ll collaborate closely with teams across the UK—contributing to integrated, high-quality solutions while broadening your own experience and exposure. You will take ownership of project outcomes, guide junior engineers and support Associates and Directors to ensure successful delivery to programme and budget. Acting as a key point of contact, you’ll build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, clients, and design teams, helping to drive efficient, well-coordinated project execution. From a technical perspective, you will oversee the analysis, design, checking, and assessment of bridges, retaining structures, and foundations, using industry-leading tools such as MIDAS Civil. You’ll also provide site-based support during construction phases, ensuring that designs are delivered effectively and safely on the ground. Your impact will extend into project planning and governance working closely with Project Managers to define project requirements, manage delivery against client briefs, and coordinate the production of high-quality reports, calculations, and drawings in line with company standards. You will also contribute to winning new work by supporting bid preparation and ensuring compliance with corporate governance processes. Alongside this, you’ll play an important role in developing the next generation of engineers through mentoring and supervision, fostering a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
About You: Demonstrable experience in the design, checking and assessment of bridges, retaining structures and foundations. Strong analytical skills and experience of designing / assessment in reinforced and pre-stressed concrete and steel bridges and retaining walls. Excellent communication and networking skills. Ability to work as part of a team. Experience in Eurocodes. Strong analytical and design skills with demonstrable problem-solving ability. Good experience in the design of highway related structures. Ability to manage time and resources working on multiple concurrent projects and work independently where necessary and attend client/project meetings. The employee should have the experience, competency and flexibility to meet the demands of the role.
Qualifications: BEng or MEng in Civil or Structural Engineering (or a closely related discipline). Chartered Engineer status (MICE or MIStructE).
Why Join Us: We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed. We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024. We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE. We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network. Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK & Ireland - we want you to be part of it!
Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more. Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.
Principal Civil / Structural Engineer - Bridges in Northampton employer: Stantec UK
Stantec is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, employees benefit from industry-leading training, flexible working options, and a comprehensive benefits package, all while contributing to impactful projects that shape communities across the UK. Join us in Northampton or Birmingham and be part of our exciting growth journey in the Bridges and Rail team, where your expertise will be valued and your career can flourish.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Civil / Structural Engineer - Bridges in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the civil engineering field, especially those who work with bridges and rail. Attend industry events or webinars to meet potential colleagues and clients—it's all about making those valuable connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best projects, especially those involving bridge design and structural analysis. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, use this as a visual aid to demonstrate your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies like Stantec through our website, expressing your interest in future opportunities. A little initiative can go a long way in landing that dream role!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with Eurocodes and project management. Remember, it’s not just about what you know, but how you communicate it!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Civil / Structural Engineer - Bridges in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Civil/Structural Engineer role. Highlight your experience with bridges, retaining structures, 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 for our Bridges and Rail Team. Don’t forget to mention your experience with Eurocodes and project management.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your analytical and design skills. We love seeing how you've contributed to successful projects, so share those standout moments that make you proud!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stantec UK
✨Know Your Bridges
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of bridge design and assessment. Familiarise yourself with the latest Eurocodes and industry standards, as well as tools like MIDAS Civil. Being able to discuss specific projects you've worked on will show your expertise and passion for the field.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Engineer, you'll be expected to lead teams and mentor junior engineers. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided projects or supported team members in the past. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, as this is crucial for project success.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that assess your analytical and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with reinforced and pre-stressed concrete, as well as steel structures. Practising common engineering scenarios can help you articulate your thought process during the interview.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Stantec values a collaborative environment, so be prepared to discuss how you've worked effectively within multidisciplinary teams. Share examples of how you've contributed to integrated solutions and how you manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining quality and efficiency.
