Principal / Associate

Curtins; Kendal; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry leading benefits - Including 5* Holiday Lodges

Award winning training and development programmes

Investors in People - Platinum accredited

Job summary

Curtins, located in Kendal, is seeking an experienced Structural Engineer to join the team at either Principal or Associate level. This role focuses on project delivery leadership, requiring strong skills in managing projects and resources effectively. Candidates should be Chartered Engineers or working towards it, with experience in structural design and project management.

Exceptional benefits include a 5-star holiday lodge. Join a company recognized for its training and development, and contribute to meaningful engineering projects.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer, or actively working towards chartered status.
• Experience leading and managing projects of varying size and complexity.
• Demonstrable experience delivering projects, with lead responsibility expected.

Responsibilities

• Lead responsibility for the successful delivery of large and complex projects.
• Manage project finances, budgets, and profitability.
• Support and develop others within the team.

Skills

Strong understanding of structural design for buildings across multiple sectors

Ability to plan and manage resources effectively across projects

Confident communicator, able to engage with clients

Proficiency in hand calculations and structural design software

Education

Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (or equivalent)

Tools

Tekla Tedds

Tekla Structural Designer (TSD)

Job description

Who We Are

Curtins is an employee‑owned and award‑winning engineering consultancy. We take pride in the positive impact we make on the world around us and have delivered practical and innovative solutions for over 60 years, building a better future for everyone.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Structural Engineer to join the team at either Principal or Associate level, depending on experience and capability. At Principal level, the role is primarily focused on project delivery leadership—taking responsibility for the successful delivery of large and complex projects, alongside effective resource planning and management within the structures team. With experience and a proven track record, there is an opportunity to join at/progress into an Associate role, expanding responsibilities into client relationship management, work winning, and contributing to the wider leadership and operation of the business unit. At Associate level, you will play a broader leadership role, combining project delivery with business unit support, including input into office processes, cross‑team coordination, and helping to drive performance and growth.

The Right Fit

You will have experience leading and managing projects of varying size and complexity, including developing design delivery programmes and contributing to the management of project finances, budgets and profitability.

At Principal level, you will be a strong delivery lead, confident in managing large projects, coordinating teams, and allocating resources effectively across the structures team. At Associate level, you will bring a broader perspective, with experience in client management, work winning, and contributing to strategic, financial and operational aspects of the team or business unit.

You will demonstrate strong leadership qualities and act as a positive role model, supporting and developing others within the team.

You will be a Chartered Engineer, or actively working towards chartered status through a recognised professional institution pathway.

Above all, you will exercise sound judgement, recognise the contribution of others, and share success. We are looking for someone who is conscientious, collaborative, and takes pride in their work and the legacy our profession creates.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of structural design for buildings across multiple sectors.
• Demonstrable experience delivering projects, with lead responsibility expected.
• Ability to plan and manage resources effectively across projects.
• Confident communicator, able to engage with clients and lead design team meetings.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or supporting junior engineers.
• Proficiency in hand calculations and structural design software.
• Good working knowledge of Eurocodes and UK building regulations.

Desirable

• Experience contributing to work winning, client development, or business growth (particularly relevant at Associate level).
• Experience with Tekla Tedds, Tekla Structural Designer (TSD), or comparable tools.
• Experience working within BIM Level 2 or structured BIM environments.
• Experience in refurbishment, conservation, or heritage projects.
• Chartered status (CEng MIStructE/MICE or equivalent), or actively working towards it (essential at Associate level).

The Extras

• Industry leading benefits - Including 5* Holiday Lodges!
• Award winning training and development programmes
• Take a look at our Careers page to find out more about our structured training programmes and Employee Extras
• We are an Investors in People - Platinum accredited company, a standard currently held by fewer than 1% of IIP accredited organisations!
• To find out more about us check out Curtins' News & Views