Principal Civil / Structural Engineer

Mott MacDonald

Southampton

Hybrid

GBP 55,000 - 75,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance
Enhanced family leave policies
Flexible benefits programme
Employee ownership model
Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Civil / Structural Engineer in Southampton to lead and contribute to projects across defence, nuclear, and energy sectors. This role offers opportunities for professional growth and the ability to work on diverse projects from concept to completion.

The ideal candidate will be a Chartered Engineer with strong technical and communication skills. The company promotes a hybrid working environment and values diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications

  • Chartered Engineer with relevant industry experience.
  • Experience in regulated environments such as nuclear or defence.
  • Ability to deliver high-quality engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

  • Lead projects from feasibility to commissioning.
  • Collaborate on multi-disciplinary projects.
  • Conduct civil inspections and prepare technical documentation.

Skills

Chartered Engineer with experience in the energy sector or similar regulated industries
Strong technical expertise and track record of delivering engineering solutions
Excellent communication and collaboration skills
Proactive problem-solving approach

Education

Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Job description

About Mott MacDonald

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

About the Business Unit

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, repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we are helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

Overview Of The Role

Our Nuclear, Defence, and Civil division is expanding, and we are looking for a Principal Civil / Structural Engineer to join our fast growing team. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects across defence, nuclear, energy, and infrastructure sectors, supporting both local clients and our wider team across the UK and Europe. With a strong pipeline of work, we offer excellent opportunities for professional growth and career development.

Key Responsibilities and Duties
  • Lead and contribute to projects at all stages, from feasibility and concept design to detailed engineering, planning support, construction, and commissioning
  • Collaborate on multi-disciplinary projects, working closely with colleagues across Mott MacDonald and engaging with external clients and stakeholders to develop cost-effective infrastructure solutions
  • Oversee and/or undertake civil engineering design and checks for a wide range of energy, defence, and infrastructure projects
  • Prepare high-quality technical documentation, specifications, and minimum functional requirements for civil engineering aspects of projects
  • Conduct civil inspections of infrastructure assets across the UK to support asset maintenance and life extension, producing detailed reports and recommendations
  • Provide strategic and technical advice to clients, ensuring solutions align with their project needs and objectives
  • Undertake site and client office visits, as required by project demands
  • Maintain strong client relationships, ensuring satisfaction while identifying and promoting opportunities for future collaboration
  • Develop, monitor, and manage project schedules and costs, ensuring deliverables are met
  • Support project management, control, and administration, in line with your experience level
  • Play a key role in mentoring and developing junior staff, helping to foster a strong and inclusive team culture
Essential Qualifications
  • Chartered Engineer with experience in the energy sector or similar regulated industries
  • Experience in regulated environments, such as nuclear or defence
  • Strong technical expertise and a track record of delivering engineering solutions to a high standard
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients and multidisciplinary teams
  • A proactive approach to problem‑solving and the ability to adapt to new challenges within a fast‑moving project environment

Note: Offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

UK Immigration

We are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes that do not require sponsorship.

Agile Working

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 reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Benefits
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 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 programme, 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.
  • Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.
Location

Glasgow, Southampton, Bristol, Altrincham, Inverness, Norwich

Contract Type

Permanent

Work Pattern

Full Time

Market

Energy

Discipline

Civil

Job Ref

15196

Recruiter Contact

Erinda Hazizi

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