Associate Director - Structural Engineering

AECOM; Plymouth; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director for its UK & Ireland Building Engineering team in Plymouth. Lead the technical delivery of complex structural projects across Defence, Aviation and Education sectors in the South West & Wales region.

The role involves client-facing work, mentoring the team, and contributing to business development and proposals. Hybrid working and security clearance opportunities are available.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Chartered Engineer status (ICE/IStructE) with post-chartership experience.
• Defence sector project delivery experience including seismic designs and nuclear safety interfaces.
• Proficiency with British Standards and Eurocodes for seismic design.
• Excellent written and oral communication for reports and proposals.
• Knowledge of construction contracts and fee proposal preparation.
• Hands-on experience with finite element design packages.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery of complex structural projects across Defence, Aviation and Education sectors.
• Represent the team in client-facing environments and manage projects to completion.
• Develop leadership within the structural engineering team through business development and coaching.
• Prepare technical reports and perform independent reviews and quality checks.
• Provide budgets and schedule estimates for large projects and support new business pursuits.

Skills

Seismic design knowledge

Construction contracts familiarity

Structural engineering leadership

British Standards & Eurocodes

Client relationship management

Technical reporting skills

Team mentoring

Budget and scheduling estimates

Defence sector experience

Education

Civil/Structural Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer (ICE/IStructE)

Tools

Finite element design software

Job description

• Contract
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Limited
• Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: UK - Plymouth - Plumer House

Job Description

AECOM is recruiting an Associate Director for its UK & Ireland Building Engineering team. The role focuses on leading the technical delivery of complex structural engineering projects, particularly within Defence, Aviation and Education sectors in the South West & Wales region. The incumbent will represent the team in client‑facing environments, engage with multidisciplinary professionals, and manage projects through to completion.

Job Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for leading the technical delivery of complex challenges, managing commercial and resourcing aspects of demanding projects without supervision.
• Develop leadership skills and contribute to the development of the structural engineering team through business development, client relationship management and technical leadership.
• Prepare technical reports that clearly convey complex structural engineering concepts to clients and other stakeholders.
• Undertake independent technical reviews of work prepared by others.
• Perform quality control reviews of work developed by others.
• Mentor and coach others in their professional development.
• Participate in the development of technical proposals.
• Provide estimates for the engineering budget and schedule to meet requirements on large projects.
• Support the business in seeking out and winning new projects.
• Have a desire to learn new skills and give due consideration to the wider engineering issues related to the projects being delivered.
• There are opportunities for continuing professional development and career progression.
• Proven ability in the structural design of structural materials, including steel and reinforced concrete.
• Experience in the analysis and design of seismically qualified structures.
• Knowledge of safety case interface within the nuclear sector.
• Experience and proven record of delivery of projects within the defence sector.
• Proven ability to undertake structural design using current British Standards and Eurocodes and associated standards applicable to seismic design.
• Understanding of project management principles and practices to support coordination of technical delivery of projects with internal and external clients.
• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrable ability to write compelling proposals and technical reports that adequately convey complex technical concepts to clients.
• Knowledge of construction contracts, professional agreements and experience in client engagement during the preparation of fee proposals and agreeing scopes of service.
• Experienced in the use of commercially available design software packages, including finite element software.
• Able to decide on the level of reliance and accuracy to attach to a variety of results obtained from design software and finite element analysis and to interpret results into practical engineering solutions.

Qualifications

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• ICE or IStructE Chartered Engineer with post‑chartership experience.
• Valid UK driving licence and ability to obtain suitable security clearance.
• Experience delivering projects in the defence sector, including seismically qualified designs and nuclear safety case interface.
• Proficiency in British Standards and Eurocodes for seismic design.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of producing clear technical reports and proposals.
• Knowledge of construction contracts and fee proposal preparation.
• Hands‑on experience with finite element design packages.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.