Principal Structural Engineer
Contract type: Contract
Scope: Outside IR35
Location: Manchester
Industry: Water

Purpose of the Role

We are working with a specialist engineering consultancy providing design and infrastructure support across the rail and utilities sectors. The organisation supports projects from early design through to installation, delivering safe and efficient solutions on complex infrastructure programmes.

The Principal Structural Engineer will be responsible for delivering technical solutions, overseeing structural design deliverables, and maintaining engineering standards across complex infrastructure projects. The role provides technical leadership to the design team and ensures all structural designs meet required safety, quality, and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the design team delivers structural design packages that meet safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

• Review and approve design deliverables, design risk assessments, reports, and technical specifications.

• Identify efficient and appropriate structural design solutions from project scopes and site visits, communicating these with clients and project teams.

• Lead and develop engineers, CAD technicians, and graduates within the design team.

• Ensure designs comply with relevant technical, professional, and industry standards.

• Manage and record design changes throughout the project lifecycle.

• Ensure work is delivered in line with formal engineering processes and procedures.

• Estimate design hours and contribute to project planning.

• Attend and present designs at project and technical review meetings.

• Interpret and communicate engineering standards and procedural updates.

• Undertake the role of Professional Head for the discipline and Responsible Engineer/CRE on relevant projects.

• Provide technical guidance for projects and tenders while supporting continuous improvement of engineering standards.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Around 10 years’ structural design experience at Senior or Principal Engineer level.

• Significant experience delivering structural designs within regulated industries such as rail, water, oil & gas, nuclear, highways, or bridges.

• Degree or HND in a relevant engineering discipline.

• Strong IT skills and professional engineering knowledge.

• Chartered Engineer status.

Preferred Experience

• Experience working within regulated water and/or rail industries.

• Knowledge of construction methods, materials, and engineering drawing practices.

• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Key Skills
Strong technical expertise, effective communication, problem solving, and the ability to lead and develop others within a multidisciplinary engineering team.