Dynamic Hazards Specialist (Structural)

Frazer Nash Consultancy; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Leatherhead seeks proactive Engineers to assess structures against extreme dynamic loads. This role involves working on critical projects in various sectors like Energy and Defence. You'll be responsible for hazard assessments and structural validations while developing client relationships. Candidates should have a relevant master's degree and strong technical and interpersonal skills. The company offers a collaborative work culture, competitive salary, and several benefits including professional development support.

Benefits

Competitive salary with yearly reviews

25 days holiday + the opportunity to buy 5 days

Flexible working options

Enhanced parental benefits

Company pension scheme

Professional development support

Life assurance

Private healthcare membership

Bonus scheme linked to performance

Cycle to work scheme

Season rail ticket loan

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering or related fields.
• Strong communication skills to foster client relationships.
• Experience in software for structural analysis.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to civil and structural design projects.
• Assess hazards including seismic, blast, and fire risks.
• Engage directly with clients to deliver value.

Skills

Interpersonal Communication

Problem Solving

Technical Writing

Collaboration

Computer Literacy

Education

Master's degree in Engineering or related discipline

Tools

ABAQUS

ANSYS

LSDYNA

Autodesk Robot

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

Overview

Frazer-Nash Consultancy is looking for talented Engineers and Consultants keen on the assessment of structures to resist extreme dynamic loads, such as impact, blast, fire and seismic loads - often associated with the safety and security of essential assets, in sectors including Energy, Defence, Space, Nuclear and Transport. We have an opportunity for a proactive and diligent Engineer to join our UK Built Environment team, where we use our expert knowledge to characterise hazards and develop technical assessments and bespoke solutions for our clients. Your role in the group would be dependent upon your experience and skillset but will support projects across a wide range of disciplines, with a focus on structural assessment, risk and hazard analysis using empirical methods (technical safety), finite element models, fluid mechanics models, and working from first principles. There is an expectation for regular interaction with clients to identify their needs, develop relationships, and provide ongoing value, nurturing further project opportunities.

• Nuclear energy (new build, operational fleet and decommissioning)
• Nuclear defence (infrastructure design, substantiation and assurance)
• Renewables (e.g., onshore solar, offshore wind)
• Process industries (e.g., chemical, hydrogen production)
• Transport (e.g., rail, marine)

Responsibilities

Your role will vary depending on skills and experience, but may typically include contributions on projects covering the following aspects, with development options for leading the delivery and providing technical oversight for:

• Concept development and feasibility analysis
• Civil and structural design and verification code assessments (e.g., Eurocode, ASCE, AISC), through software and hand calculations
• Hazard assessment (e.g. Seismic, blast, and fire performance modelling) and validation studies or safety case development
• Structural analysis and substantiation of structures subject to extreme dynamic loads:
  • Explosion / Blast / Impact withstand assessment
  • Fire and explosion risk assessment
  • Fire load response analysis
  • Vessel failure analysis
  • Seismic analysis and qualification
• Lead and shape projects, including managing projects from scoping to delivery
• Engage directly with clients to define project needs and opportunities, and develop long-term relationships
• Contribute to the development of capability relative to their specialism and own development of opportunities and workstreams in that space
• Communicate and coordinate with clients and consultants to ensure a clear understanding of project goals and expectations
• Coordinate, guide, and check the preparation of documents with colleagues, clients, and to meet quality standards

The Built Environment group operates to assure the safety of structures and assets subject to conventional and extreme hazards. Our integrated team establishes load conditions, structural responses, design solutions, testing programmes, substantiations and assurance against a variety of hazards. While our projects are challenging, the team promotes a collaborative and supportive environment, where knowledge is shared openly. We are always looking to improve - both technically and professionally. Asset Integrity has a breadth of capability ranging from physical testing to design, research and advanced analysis. The purpose of the area is to support clients in understanding the life, degradation, integrity and performance of components, systems and assets from concept design to decommissioning. Your colleagues will have a wide range of backgrounds from fundamental materials science, strength of material research, stress engineering, testing and measurement, field‑based work and plant/facilities management and assessment. Therefore, if working across engineering disciplines to solve complex problems appeals to you, you would be a great fit. The Built Environment team specialises in withstand and assurance of structures for scenarios such as seismic, fire, blast, impact, life extension, modification and operational safety, with particular respect to interfaces between mechanical and civil assets. Due to the nature of the work that Frazer‑Nash Consultancy undertake, candidates will be required to undergo pre‑employment screening and must be able to satisfy clearance criteria for UK National Security Vetting.

Qualifications

We're looking for engineers who want to go beyond technical analysis – individuals eager to develop as consultants, who aim to reach a proficiency to:

• A master's degree (or higher) in Engineering or a related discipline (e.g. physics, chemistry, mathematics) and must be able to demonstrate an understanding of fundamental principles and problem solving
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills – facilitating positive internal and client relationships. Excellent technical writing skills for engineering consulting applications are required, as are engineering/scientific problem‑solving abilities
• Strong computer literacy is required with an enthusiasm to learn new applications and packages
• Working knowledge of current industry software packages including ABAQUS, ANYSYS, LSDYNA, Autodesk Robot, Revit, and AutoCAD
• Knowledge of programming languages
• A desire to work on technically challenging, safety‑critical infrastructure projects
• An interest in or experience with client‑facing consultancy work
• A collaborative growth mindset and willingness to work across disciplines

It would be beneficial to have demonstrable technical experience (relative to your time in industry) in the following:

• Code‑based assessment
• Use of structural tools
• Seismic or dynamic structural analysis
• Impact/Blast/fire modelling and substantiation
• Hazard Analysis and Requirement quantification
• Authoring or approval roles for Safety Case documentation

Benefits

• Competitive salary with yearly reviews
• 25 days holiday + the opportunity to buy 5 days
• A company that has its heart in the right place and a welcoming work culture
• Happy to talk flexible working
• Enhanced parental benefits
• Company pension scheme
• Targeted professional development
• Life assurance
• Private healthcare membership
• Bonus scheme linked into company performance
• Paid membership fees to a professional institution
• Support in attaining professional membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season rail ticket loan
• And further optional benefits you can tailor to your personal requirements