Lead Civil Engineer

Millbank Holdings; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Lead Civil/Structural Engineer to join their team in Glasgow. This role involves managing engineering support and ensuring compliance with design and safety standards on high-profile projects that bolster national defense. Candidates must possess Chartered Engineer status and extensive experience in civil/structural engineering, with a focus on complex projects in defense or nuclear environments. The position offers a hybrid working arrangement, balancing office duties and site visits.

Qualifications

• Must hold Chartered Engineer status.
• Experience in civil/structural engineering for complex projects.
• Experience of working in the UK nuclear industry is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Manage ACA engineering support to projects.
• Oversee acceptance of project documentation.
• Conduct technical assessments and approvals.

Skills

Chartered Engineer status

Stakeholder engagement

Civil/structural engineering

Risk management

Design assurance

Project management

Education

Accredited Degree in Civil/Structural discipline

MSc Level if applicable

Job description

Do you hold Chartered Engineer status with proven experience in civil/structural engineering for complex projects, ideally in defence or nuclear environments? Can you demonstrate expertise in design assurance and stakeholder engagement across all lifecycle stages of civil/structural projects? Are you ready to lead on high‑profile infrastructure projects that directly support national defence and shape the future of critical facilities?

Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to join the Ministry of Defence's Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) team during a period of strategic expansion, delivering critical projects that underpin national security and operational readiness. As Lead Civil/Structural Engineer, you'll take ownership of design assurance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement across complex, multi‑disciplinary projects. You'll influence decisions at every stage of the engineering lifecycle, ensuring compliance with stringent safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities

Your duties and responsibilities will be:

• Managing ACA engineering support to the project.
• Reviewing and accepting project drawings and documentation developed by supply chain.
• Identifying project functional requirements and stakeholder needs.
• Supporting project optioneering process.
• Producing periodic review of safety reports.
• Attendance at design review and project meetings.
• Attendance at Hazard Identification Workshops, optioneering reviews and other stakeholder meetings.
• Liaising and consulting with stakeholders throughout project life cycle to ensure efficient and effective project delivery.
• Providing advice and direction to internal and external stakeholders.
• Originating and reviewing engineering documentation.
• Production of Independent Technical Appraisal (ITA)/Independent Peer Review (IPR).
• Managing detailed design activities in accordance with HMNB (Clyde) standards.
• Carrying out technical assessment/approval of contractors work instruction/method statements/risk assessments.
• Providing technical supervision of construction/deconstruction activities to ensure compliance with design intent.
• Specifying and providing technical supervision of commissioning and/or decommissioning.
• Comply with all Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality policies, procedures, work instructions and risk assessments and support the continuous improvement of Health, Safety, Environment and Quality on Site.
• Support delivery within his or her range of skills, knowledge, experience and competence.
• Contribute to the effective development and delivery of training within own area of specialism.

Additional tasks may be specified as required within the overall envelope of provision. Any engagement of this nature will be agreed on a task‑by‑task basis as part of the role.

Project Interfaces

• Framework Contractors VSL and Morgan Sindall
• ACA Design Team
• Babcock
• AA(D) and AA(SC)
• DHI

Qualifications & Experience

You will have the following qualifications & experience:

• Accredited Degree in an appropriate Civil/Structural discipline (or equivalent qualification and experience).
• Demonstrable suitable qualifications and experience relating to marine and mechanical engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status.
• Experience in civil/structural engineering for complex projects.
• SC Clearance.
• Experience in the design assessment of civil/structural facilities and equipment to withstand hazard.
• Experience of developing design assurance for complex projects.
• Theoretical and practical skill and experience across all lifecycle stages across a range of civil and structural engineering projects (ideally including industrial and/or maritime).
• Experience in stakeholder engagement throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Experience working on multi‑discipline projects providing electrical engineering input (ideally within designate and/or nuclear).

It's great if you also have the following:

• Accredited Degree to MSc Level.
• Ideal candidates would have experience within HMNB Clyde or a similar high‑risk environment.
• Familiarity with safety case development techniques e.g., HAZID/HAZOP studies.
• Experience of working in the UK nuclear industry (energy or defence), particularly in the design and assessment of safety‑related structures and components.
• Knowledge of UK and US nuclear industry regulation and practice, and application of relevant nuclear specific codes and standards.
• Experience in a defence sector.
• Experience in the nuclear sector.
• Experience in the civil sector.
• Experience of design delivery within defence projects.
• Experience in engineering lifecycle management.

Setting

The role will mainly be office based, with visits to site as required. A safety induction will be provided. Limited travel to site may be required, for example for Facility Walkdowns, however, the role would typically be expected to be conducted in a hybrid arrangement from Glasgow City Centre (3 days office, 2 days WfH).

Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident

Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we'll do our best to accommodate.

Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business.