Principal Civil Engineer -Energy

Mott MacDonald; Brighton; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension contributions match (4.5–7%)

Life assurance up to 4x salary

Income protection and wellbeing perks

Employee ownership and bonus schemes

Hybrid working

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking Principal Civil Engineers for its UK Civil and Structural Team. The role focuses on power generation, HV transmission, and related civil/structural design across a diverse portfolio.

You will lead projects, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and advance FEED activities while contributing to the energy transition. The role offers hybrid working arrangements, opportunities for career progression, and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion within a global

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of structural engineering principles and design codes.
• Proficiency with structural analysis software (SAP2000/ETABS) for complex models.
• Experience with BIM for project visualization and coordination.

Responsibilities

• Manage structural engineering projects, timelines and budgets.
• Prepare proposals and cost estimates.
• Lead FEED activities for structural components.
• Prepare drawings for planning applications and tenders.
• Carry out detailed civil/structural design and drawings.
• Coordinate design across multidisciplinary teams.
• Prepare specifications for structures.
• Assess existing structures for reuse and safety.

Skills

Structural engineering principles

SAP2000/ETABS

BIM capabilities

Education

Bachelors or Masters in Civil/Structural Eng.

PE license advantageous

Tools

SAP2000

ETABS

Job description

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Brighton, GB Croydon, GB Newcastle Upon Tyne, GB Cardiff, GB Southampton, GB York, GB Glasgow, GB Bristol, GB

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Energy

Location/s: Glasgow/Brighton/Cardiff/Newcastle/Bristol

Relocation supported: Not supported, but internal applications are welcome

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About thebusinessunit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

About the role

Our division provides Civil and Structural expertise across power generation and HV transmission including power plants, HV substation / HVDC Interconnector converter station, and HV cable projects. Due to continued growth, we are looking for Principal Civil Engineers at various capacities from mid level to higher level with experience of engineering design to join our Civil and Structural Team in UK. The role will span a diverse portfolio of work and there will be opportunities for advancement within the team.

The selected candidate will carry out design work on power plants, HV substation/ HVDC Interconnector converter station, and HV cable projects, fulfilling tasks including:

• Project Management.
• Proposal Writing.
• Scheme Costings.
• Front End Engineering Design (FEED).
• Preparation of drawings for use in planning applications and tender packages.
• Detailed Civil/Structural Design.
• Design Coordination across multidisciplinary teams.
• Preparation of Specifications.
• Condition and Structural Assessment of existing structures to determine suitability for reuse.

Requirements

1. Technical Expertise:

• Advanced Structural Engineering Knowledge: The candidate should have a deep understanding of structural engineering principles, including load-bearing capacity, material properties, and design codes (e.g., Eurocodes, ASCE).
• Proficiency in Structural Analysis Software: Familiarity with tools such as SAP2000, ETABS, or similar software is essential for modeling and analyzing complex structures.
• Experience with Building Information Modeling (BIM): Knowledge of BIM technologies and their application to improve project visualization, coordination, and execution.

2. Project Management Skills:

• Project Leadership: The successful candidate must be capable of managing structural engineering projects independently. This includes overseeing project timelines, budgets, and quality.
• Proposal Writing and Cost Estimation: Ability to write compelling proposals and estimate project costs accurately.
• Front End Engineering Design (FEED): Experience leading FEED activities related to structural components.

3. Design Coordination and Collaboration:

• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: The candidate should excel in coordinating with other disciplines (e.g., architects, electrical engineers) to integrate structural designs seamlessly.
• Conflict Resolution: Effective resolution of design conflicts within multidisciplinary teams.

4. Attention to Detail:

• Drawing Preparation: Proficiency in creating detailed drawings for planning applications and tender packages. Compliance with relevant standards is crucial.
• Structural Assessment: Ability to assess existing structures for suitability and safety, considering reuse options.

5. Communication and Leadership:

• Clear Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for conveying technical information, collaborating with team members, and presenting findings.
• Leadership Mindset: The candidate should demonstrate leadership qualities, especially when guiding junior engineers or collaborating with stakeholders.

4. Experience:

• Relevant experience in structural engineering.
• Energy project experience would be advantageous for this role.

Qualifications

• Education: A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) License: While not mandatory, having a PE license is advantageous

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.