Principal Composite Structural Engineer

Future Talent Group; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Wellbeing Day

Private Healthcare

Life assurance (4× salary)

Enhanced family leave

Christmas Leave

Professional Development

Pension scheme

Flexible Working

Inclusive Culture

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Composite Structural Engineer to oversee the design and development of advanced composite structures in Portsmouth. You will lead multiple programmes, ensuring compliance with industry standards while mentoring junior engineers. Ideal candidates have significant experience in marine or high-performance engineering and strong knowledge of laminate design and structural analysis. Benefits include comprehensive healthcare, professional development, and flexible working options.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in composite structural engineering within marine or high-performance engineering sectors.
• Strong expertise in laminate design, structural analysis, and composite materials.
• Understanding of relevant industry and regulatory standards.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional accreditation is advantageous.
• Understanding of relevant industry and regulatory standards.
• Strong technical leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the composite structural engineering discipline across multiple programmes.
• Oversee the design, analysis, and development of composite structures from concept through to production release.
• Mentor and develop engineers within the composites team.
• Ensure designs meet relevant standards and prepare documentation for regulatory compliance.
• Provide robust structural solutions where weight, fatigue, stiffness, and manufacturability are critical.
• Produce and review engineering models, drawings, and technical documentation.
• Work closely with naval architects, mechanical engineers, and production teams.
• Provide technical support during prototype builds, testing, and manufacturing.
• Mentor and develop engineers within the composites team.

Skills

Composite structural engineering

Laminate design

Structural analysis

Technical leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional accreditation

Tools

CAD

FEA

Job description

Location - Portsmouth

Salary - Competitive/DOE

Our client is seeking an experienced Composite Structural Engineer with relevant industry expertise. This role involves the design, analysis, and detailed development of composite structures across the full project lifecycle, from initial concept through to construction and delivery.

In this role, you’ll play a key part in the design, analysis and development of advanced composite structures.

This is an opportunity to work on highly innovative programmes where carbon fibre structures, performance optimisation, and real-world manufacturing come together. You will set engineering standards within the composites discipline while mentoring engineers and ensuring structural integrity across multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead the composite structural engineering discipline across multiple programmes.
• Oversee the design, analysis, and development of composite structures from concept through to production release.
• Review and guide structural calculations, laminate design, and FEA analysis.
• Ensure designs meet relevant standards and prepare documentation for regulatory compliance.
• Provide robust structural solutions where weight, fatigue, stiffness, and manufacturability are critical.
• Produce and review engineering models, drawings, and technical documentation.
• Work closely with naval architects, mechanical engineers, and production teams.
• Provide technical support during prototype builds, testing, and manufacturing.
• Mentor and develop engineers within the composites team.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in composite structural engineering within marine or high-performance engineering sectors.
• Strong expertise in laminate design, structural analysis, and composite materials.
• Experience using CAD and structural simulation tools (FEA).
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards professional accreditation is advantageous.
• Understanding of relevant industry and regulatory standards.
• Strong technical leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Wellbeing Day: One additional day each year for personal wellbeing.
• Private Healthcare: Comprehensive cover for physical and mental health.
• Protection Cover: Life assurance (4× salary) and critical illness cover.
• Family Leave: Enhanced maternity and paternity pay.
• Christmas Leave: Typically includes a seasonal shutdown.
• Professional Development: Training support and access to online learning resources.
• Pension: Scheme with salary sacrifice option.
• Flexible Working: Options to support work–life balance.
• Inclusive Culture: Collaborative environment valuing diversity and innovation.