Principal Bridge Design Engineer

BWB Consulting Limited; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Pension match

Life assurance

Long-service recognition

Fully funded training

Chartership support

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

BWB Consulting Limited is seeking a Principal Bridge Design Engineer to lead technical delivery across projects and mentor the next generation of engineers. You will develop designs from concept to detailed delivery, strengthen client relationships, and contribute to the team’s direction across National Highways, Network Rail, and local authorities.

You will bring Chartered Engineer status, strong bridge design experience, and a proactive approach to improving design processes and ensuring

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer status with membership of ICE or IStructE.
• Strong bridge design experience across various clients.
• Experience leading projects or technical activities within larger schemes.
• Proven ability to prepare and check technical reports, calculations, drawings and specifications.
• Confidence building client relationships and communicating with non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery on projects and workstreams.
• Develop designs from concept through to detailed design.
• Maintain quality of technical outputs and approvals.
• Build and maintain client relationships with stakeholders.
• Mentor colleagues and support their professional growth.
• Improve design processes and workflows for efficient delivery.
• Contribute to project planning and resource alignment.
• Contribute to team business strategy and future direction.

Skills

Chartered Engineer

Bridge design

Design development

Technical reporting

Project leadership

Client communication

Scheduling & planning

Mentoring

Team development

Education

CEng / ICE or IStructE membership

Job description

At BWB Consulting, we’re more than engineers – we’re trusted partners, innovators, and problem-solvers. Recognised as ACE Best Large Consultancy of the Year 2022 and proudly accredited with Investors in People and Investors in Wellbeing, our award-winning culture is built on excellence, collaboration, and sustainability. We push boundaries to deliver exceptional results for our clients – and create meaningful impact for the communities we serve.

Are you an experienced bridge engineer ready to take greater ownership of technical delivery and support the next generation of engineers?

At BWB, we’re looking for a Principal Bridge Design Engineer who combines strong technical judgement with a collaborative approach. You’ll develop designs from concept through to detailed delivery, build trusted client relationships and help strengthen our bridge engineering capability.

Working across projects for National Highways, Network Rail, local highway authorities and private developers, you’ll bring practical thinking to complex engineering challenges. Alongside delivering high-quality designs, you’ll have opportunities to influence how we work, develop our people and contribute to the team’s future direction.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading technical delivery: Take ownership of smaller projects and lead design tasks and workstreams within larger multidisciplinary schemes.
• Developing robust designs: Guide designs from initial concept through to detailed design, balancing technical requirements with client objectives.
• Maintaining technical quality: Prepare, check and approve technical reports, calculations, drawings and specifications within your area of responsibility.
• Building client relationships: Work directly with clients and stakeholders, explaining engineering proposals clearly and helping resolve technical challenges.
• Developing our people: Mentor colleagues, share your expertise and support their technical and professional development.
• Improving how we work: Embed effective workflows, design processes and best practice to support consistent, efficient delivery.
• Supporting team planning: Contribute to project programmes and resource planning, helping align skills and capacity with project needs.
• Shaping our future: Contribute to the development and delivery of the team’s business strategy.
• Upholding standards: Ensure designs meet relevant standards, regulations, project briefs and BWB’s Quality Management System.

What You’ll Bring

You’ll be an experienced bridge design engineer with the technical confidence to lead delivery and the interpersonal skills to bring people with you.

• Chartered Engineer status (CEng), with membership of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE).
• Strong bridge design experience, including projects for National Highways, Network Rail, local highway authorities and/or private developers.
• Experience developing designs from concept through to detailed design.
• A strong record of preparing and checking technical reports, calculations, drawings and specifications.
• Experience leading smaller projects or managing technical activities within larger schemes.
• Sound knowledge of relevant engineering standards, regulations and quality management requirements.
• Confidence working directly with clients and stakeholders, building effective relationships and communicating complex ideas to non-technical audiences.
• The ability to contribute to project scheduling and resource planning.
• A proactive approach to improving design processes and project outcomes.
• A commitment to mentoring others and supporting their professional growth.
• An interest in contributing to the team’s wider objectives and long-term development.

What we offer

• Inclusive Culture – Bring your authentic self to work every day.
• Competitive Rewards – Salary, 5% pension match, life assurance, and long-service recognition.
• Time Off & Flexibility – 25 days’ holiday (rising to 28), option to buy more, hybrid working (3 days office), and flexible core hours.
• Health & Wellbeing – Westfield Health, healthcare cash plan, Cycle to Work scheme, wellbeing initiatives.
• Growth & Development – Fully funded training, Chartership support, and paid professional subscriptions.
• Community & Connection – Volunteering days, social events, discounts, and savings.

Accessibility & Adjustments

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.

If you have a medical condition or an individual need for an adjustment to our process, and you believe this may affect your ability to be your best - please let us know so we can talk about how we can best support you and make any adjustments that may be needed.