Principal Bridge Engineer

BEAR Scotland; Perth; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension scheme with employer match

Job summary

BEAR Scotland is seeking a Principal Bridge Engineer to join our North-West Bridges Team in either Perth or Inverness. The role focuses on bridge assessment, design and maintenance schemes, with health, safety and quality as a priority.

You will lead design teams, supervise sub-consultants, and manage schemes from inception to delivery.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Proven experience in the assessment, design, and maintenance of highway bridge structures.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with ICE or IStructE.
• Strong project management and team leadership skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Bridge Manager with the management and supervision of internal design teams, sub‑consultants, and subcontractors.
• Lead and oversee outline and detailed design of bridge maintenance schemes, including technical approval in principle (AIP) and design certification.
• Supervise the assessment of bridges and the design of maintenance, strengthening, or refurbishment schemes.
• Ensure compliance with relevant technical standards, and manage the preparation and submission of Departures from Standard where required.
• Produce tender documentation and pre‑construction information packs.
• Undertake tender evaluations and support contract award processes.
• Manage the financial performance of individual schemes.
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality procedures in accordance with the company’s Integrated Management Systems.
• Comply with CDM Regulations, undertaking the role of Principal Designer and, where required, Principal Contractor.
• Liaise effectively with clients, stakeholders, and auditors.
• Coordinate the production, issue, control, and archiving of drawings, documents, and scheme records.
• Ensure appropriate environmental screening is undertaken and mitigation measures are implemented prior to works commencing.

Skills

Bridge assessment

Project leadership

Communication skills

Driving licence

Education

Degree in Civil/Structural Eng

Job description

Location:Inverness, Perth or Stepps (North‑West Region)
Category:Engineering – Bridges
Contract Type:Full‑Time, Permanent
Working Pattern:Monday–Friday
Working Style:Hybrid (office and remote)

BEAR Scotland is a leading provider of Highway Maintenance services across Scotland. We manage and maintain over 1422km of Scotland’s trunk road network, tackling just about every imaginable task and working round the clock to keep Scotland moving.

BEAR Scotland inspect, manage and maintain over 1422km of Scotland’s trunk road network including 1422 trunk road structures in the North West of Scotland for our client, Transport Scotland. We work in some of the most scenic but challenging parts of the country on a variety of structures including historical masonry arch bridges, culverts and walls as well as numerous iconic major structures such as Kessock, Skye, Connel and Dornoch Bridges.

Join our North‑West Bridges Team as a Principal Bridge Engineer in either our Perth or Inverness office. We’re looking for self‑driven team players who are eager to support a broad and varied programme of work. To succeed, you’ll bring strong communication skills, adaptability, and a valid driving licence.

Role Overview

Candidates should have demonstrable experience in bridge assessment and design, including the development of maintenance schemes such as bearing replacement designs. The role includes responsibility for the health and safety, environmental, commercial, and technical management of schemes.

We are seeking a proactive, self‑motivated individual with strong leadership and communication skills, capable of supporting team development and delivering a varied programme of work.

Applicants must be professionally qualified to Chartered Engineer (CEng) level with either the ICE or IStructE, and hold a valid UK driving licence.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Bridge Manager with the management and supervision of internal design teams, sub‑consultants, and subcontractors.
• Lead and oversee outline and detailed design of bridge maintenance schemes, including technical approval in principle (AIP) and design certification.
• Supervise the assessment of bridges and the design of maintenance, strengthening, or refurbishment schemes.
• Ensure compliance with relevant technical standards, and manage the preparation and submission of Departures from Standard where required.
• Produce tender documentation and pre‑construction information packs.
• Undertake tender evaluations and support contract award processes.
• Manage the financial performance of individual schemes.
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality procedures in accordance with the company’s Integrated Management Systems.
• Comply with CDM Regulations, undertaking the role of Principal Designer and, where required, Principal Contractor.
• Liaise effectively with clients, stakeholders, and auditors.
• Coordinate the production, issue, control, and archiving of drawings, documents, and scheme records.
• Ensure appropriate environmental screening is undertaken and mitigation measures are implemented prior to works commencing.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Degree‑qualified in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Proven experience in the assessment, design, and maintenance of highway bridge structures.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with ICE or IStructE.
• Strong project management and team leadership skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

Why BEAR?

At the heart of our organisation are our people — talented, dedicated professionals who help drive our success. We’re committed to creating a positive, supportive working environment where everyone can grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.

We invest in our teams by offering a wide range of internal and external training opportunities and encouraging continuous professional development at every career stage.

If you’re passionate about delivering the best for clients, enjoy working collaboratively, and hold yourself to high ethical standards, you’ll be a great fit for our team.

What We Offer

• Generous holiday entitlement
• Pension scheme with up to 6% employer match
• Employee benefits, including annual leave purchase, Cycle to Work scheme, and an Employee Assistance Programme

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to fairness, inclusion, and diversity across our business.

Join us and be part of a company that supports your development, values your contribution, and inspires you to do your best work.