Principal/Associate Structural Engineer

Useful Simple Trust; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal or Associate Structural Engineer with at least 8 years of experience. You will be responsible for leading project delivery while ensuring team cohesion and mentoring junior staff. The ideal candidate will have a thorough understanding of structural design and project management tools, and the role emphasizes collaboration in a diverse workplace. Opportunities include significant professional development and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Significant training opportunities

Private medical insurance

Company pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years' experience in structural engineering.
• In-depth knowledge of structural design codes.
• Experience in project delivery across various sizes.

Responsibilities

• Lead teams to plan and deliver engineering projects.
• Ensure on-time and on-budget project delivery.
• Act as the first point of contact for clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Creative problem solving

Stakeholder management

Education

Chartered Engineer, IStructE or ICE

Tools

GSA

SCIA

ETABS

Rhino

Grasshopper

Job description

We are looking for a Principal or an Associate Structural Engineer with a minimum of 8 years' experience of design and project running to be responsible for the operational activities of engineering teams. The main role is to ensure successful delivery of projects, in line with the aims set up by the Project Director and in line with the Trust ethos. Beyond technical leadership, we also expect the Principal/Associate Engineer to participate actively in the commercial management of projects and general business development.

The successful candidate will have a range of experience and/or potential (with training) to cover the following areas:

Leadership responsibilities

• Lead teams to plan and deliver a project as per Expedition's standards.
• Ensure team's cohesion and alignment on project goals.
• Coach junior team members and engineers.
• Mentor and assist graduate engineers whilst maintaining own continued professional development.

Project management responsibilities

• Plan work, make timely decisions and propose corrective actions.
• Ensure on-time and on-budget project delivery with respect of programme deadlines.
• Exercise oversight over various projects to ensure resources are deployed effectively.
• Estimate and monitor resource requirements using our in-house project running software.

Technical and design responsibilities

• Work autonomously and as part of a team.
• Offer creative solutions.
• Be responsible for technical delivery and checking of challenging projects.
• Contribute to internal technical development in line with the strategy.
• Participate actively in multi-disciplinary coordination on projects.
• Be the first point of contact for clients, architects at all levels, contractors or third parties.

Commercial responsibilities

• Prepare fee proposals, agreeing scope of services and appointments, for approval by the Project Director.
• Develop and foster good working relationships with peers and clients externally.
• Grow into the role of managing client and external consultant relationships.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer, member of IStructE or ICE.
• Previous experience of relevant consultancy-based design.
• In-depth knowledge of all main structural design codes.
• Considerable knowledge of how projects are designed and constructed.
• Proficient in the use of analysis and design software (including or similar to GSA, SCIA, ETABS) and willing to quickly learn to use new packages as required.
• Basic to proficient in the use of 3D modelling software such as Rhino and Grasshopper and willing to develop this competence.
• Good knowledge of standard contracts.
• Experience in project delivery of different sizes.
• Experience of project management tools and reporting.

We are specifically looking for someone enthusiastic to help lead innovative and challenging projects.

The Useful Simple Trust (UST) consists of four professional design and consultancy practices: Expedition Engineering, Useful Projects and Useful Studio. We share innovative ideas, space and experience, and collaborate on a range of high‑profile projects in the UK and internationally. Our breadth of experience gives us a depth of inter-disciplinary thinking rarely found in the industry. The company has 80+ talented and committed civil and structural engineers, architects, strategists and designers, sustainability & construction innovation consultants who work side‑by‑side creating positive outcomes for our changing environment following our key company values Work for Good, More with Less, Restore and Adapt and Get, Set, Zero. As a Social Enterprise, B‑Corp and Employee Benefit Organisation, we do things differently. Our people are highly motivated and committed, in part because our structure and values mean that our combined success is shared equitably. We share part of our profit and reinvest the rest in research, social and environmental projects. We deliver purposeful projects that we believe have a sustainable impact on our clients and the wider human environment. Expedition Engineering is an award‑winning engineering consultancy behind such iconic London structures as the Olympic Velodrome, the Cable Car and Chiswick Park Footbridge. In addition to structural engineering, Expedition provides holistic design solutions in master‑planning and civil engineering projects, as well as leading on innovation to challenge traditional methods of construction. Recent projects include the Stravos Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens, Greece, the Lee Valley Ice Centre in London, the AVA footbridge for Network Rail, the new Eden Project in Dundee, Scotland (in progress), development of industrial facilities for the nuclear industry and repair works on existing buildings. We work at all scales of project and stages of construction.

The Trust strives to be a diverse and inclusive place where we can all be ourselves. We are working to change the lack of representation of minority groups and are particularly keen to hear from anyone with relevant skills and experience who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We encourage people from culturally diverse backgrounds, women, people with different abilities, LGBTIQ+ community, gender, all age groups, and those with intersectional or multiple diverse characteristics to apply. We know that diversity makes us stronger, and we are committed to creating a working environment that is inclusive and ensures everyone can be heard and valued for their contributions.

What we offer

• Significant training time and learning opportunities with our "future skills" development programme.
• Thriving Trust wide social scene including charitable activities and regular team events.
• Professional Memberships.
• Exposure to a variety of business sectors and range of responsibilities developing and delivering challenging projects.
• Flexible and hybrid working including the possibility to work a compressed 9‑day fortnight.
• Service Recognition Awards.
• Private medical insurance.
• Life Assurance.
• Company pension scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Program for you and your immediate family.