Associate - Building Structures

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is looking for a full-time Associate to join their Building Structures team in Manchester. The role involves project management and technical leadership on a range of complex structures across various sectors, including high-rise and healthcare. Candidates should have a degree or HNC/HND, chartered status, and solid experience in structural engineering design. This position offers the opportunity to mentor junior team members and tackle challenging international projects.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of successful design delivery on major projects.
• Experience in leading project management and technical delivery.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop sustainable designs for diverse projects in the UK and internationally.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams through all design phases.
• Manage client relationships and strategic project planning.

Skills

Project management

Technical leadership

Interpersonal communication

Structural engineering design

Education

Degree or HNC/HND in a relevant discipline

Chartered status (MIStructE / MICE)

Tools

ETABS

RAM Structural System

Tekla Structural Designer

Revit

Rhino

Grasshopper

Job description

Role Overview

You will be joining our expanding Building Structures team in Leeds as a full‑time Associate. The role involves project management, technical leadership and delivery of schemes from inception to handover of the completed scheme to the client.

Reporting to a senior member of our team, you will work on major multi‑disciplinary development projects across the UK and internationally.

We have a broad and well‑developed client base spanning Private and Public sectors and encompassing regional and national clientele.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop innovative and sustainable designs from concept, for a large range of challenging UK and international projects, including high‑rise, stadia/arenas, urban regeneration, healthcare, commercial & mixed use, major refurbishment and data centres.
• Lead technically on multi-disciplinary projects from concept through to detailed design, coordinating with architects, engineers and specialist consultants.
• Participate in or lead tender bids and business development opportunities.
• Manage fee agreements and the commercial position on projects.
• Exercise independent judgement and resolve technical issues.
• Mentor and develop junior team members toward their chartership.
• Own and lead the design process, encouraging teams to deliver solutions within agreed programme and support less experienced members via technical review, mentoring and advice.
• Take strategic lead on large projects and provide bespoke technical solutions to niche and architectural‑led concepts.
• Build strong working relationships with other WSP disciplines, external consultants, stakeholders and clients.
• Manage processes to resolve technical issues and risks promptly and cost‑effectively.
• Provide sustainable structural solutions from concept to construction.
• Advise clients on sustainable design, net zero carbon, MMC and DfMA.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven track record of successful design delivery, ideally in major and challenging multi‑discipline building projects, with emphasis on concept design and project inception.
• Project management and technical delivery leadership of medium to large schemes.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and leadership potential, capable of engaging with project teams, stakeholders and clients.
• Experience and capability in commercial and technical project management using appropriate business tools.
• Experience managing teams, line management and day‑to‑day operations.
• Experience acting as a lead client contact for consultancy services, fostering strong client relationships.
• Degree or HNC/HND in a relevant discipline.
• Chartered status (MIStructE / MICE).
• Solid experience in structural engineering design across all materials.
• Detailed knowledge of national codes and standards.
• Demonstrated understanding of the design process, brief documents, design concepts, and experienced in producing calculations.
• Proficiency with structural design software, e.g., ETABS, RAM Structural System, Tekla Structural Designer & TEDDS.
• Experience with Revit, Rhino and Grasshopper is beneficial.