Civil & Structural Engineer - Design Assurance Support (Energy) in Leeds

As a Civil & Structural Engineer within the WSP Design Assurance team, you will support the independent review and assurance of engineering deliverables on Energy Transmission projects. Your role will ensure designs are compliant and aligned with client and regulatory requirements, providing a clear development pathway towards a future Design Assurance, Checker, or Independent Reviewer role.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Support the technical review and assurance of civil and structural designs, ensuring outputs comply with project requirements, applicable standards, and best practice.
• Develop a strong understanding of design assurance principles, including design checking, verification processes, and technical governance frameworks.
• Undertake independent reviews of calculations, drawings, specifications, and 3D models to ensure accuracy, consistency, and buildability.
• Support the delivery of civil and structural design packages where required, maintaining practical design experience to underpin assurance capability.
• Assist in implementing structured design review processes, including interdisciplinary reviews, design risk workshops, and constructability assessments.
• Contribute to the identification and management of technical risks, assumptions, and constraints, ensuring these are clearly captured and communicated.
• Participate in multidisciplinary coordination and model reviews (including BIM environments), supporting clash detection and design integration activities.
• Liaise with design teams, contractors, and stakeholders to challenge and verify design intent, ensuring alignment with Employer’s Requirements and project objectives.
• Support compliance with relevant UK and international codes, standards, and governance requirements, including ISO 19650 and CDM Regulations.
• Contribute to lessons learned, technical standards development, and continuous improvement of design assurance processes.
• Support bid and tender activities where required, particularly in defining design assurance strategies, review methodologies, and resourcing approaches.
• Gain exposure to certification, verification, and independent checking processes applicable to regulated infrastructure and energy projects.

Your Team

You will be part of the WSP Design Assurance function within the UK Energy Transition team, providing independent technical oversight across major infrastructure and energy projects. You will work closely with both internal design teams and external stakeholders, including clients, EPC contractors, OEMs, and regulatory bodies, across projects in the UK.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in Civil or Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
• Working towards Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with a relevant institution (e.g., ICE, IStructE).
• Experience in civil and structural design, ideally within energy, power, industry or infrastructure sectors.
• Good understanding of design processes and deliverables across different stages (Feasibility, Concept, FEED, Detailed Design), including expectations for level of definition.
• Familiarity with relevant codes and standards (e.g., Eurocodes, UK standards) and an appreciation of compliance and assurance requirements; familiarity with National Grid technical specifications and National Grid Business Procedures is preferable.
• Experience with industry-standard engineering and design software, including structural analysis tools (e.g., Robot, STAAD, Tekla Structural Designer) and BIM/CAD platforms (e.g., Revit, Tekla Structures, AutoCAD, Civil 3D).
• Awareness of design review, checking, and verification processes, with a willingness to develop deeper expertise in design assurance methodologies.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with other disciplines such as MEP, HV primary, and infrastructure design.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to critically assess engineering solutions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to challenge designs constructively and present technical findings clearly.
• Aware of construction methodologies, temporary works, and health & safety requirements, including CDM Regulations.
• Experience within the energy transmission and distribution sector, major infrastructure, or industrial projects is highly desirable.
• Exposure to substation design, regulated environments, or projects requiring independent verification and certification would be particularly advantageous.

Benefits

• Hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.
• WSP supports work-life balance with flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use bank holiday entitlement to suit you.
• Health and wellbeing support includes access to a virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, and a Gymflex scheme offering up to 40% off annual gym memberships.
• WSP also provides a comprehensive menopause support package.

EEO Statement

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria. Please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.