Principal Structural Engineer

Ayesa Engineering - UK and Ireland; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Pension match

Income protection

Life assurance

Training & development

Family & wellbeing support

Sports & social

Annual leave 25 days

Recognition awards

Job summary

Ayesa Engineering - UK and Ireland in Manchester seeks a highly technical Principal Structural / Bridges Design Engineer with strong rail sector experience to lead complex infrastructure schemes.

You will drive design from feasibility to delivery, oversee permanent and temporary works, and ensure compliance with UK standards, Eurocodes, and Network Rail where applicable.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering required for professional practice.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership strongly preferred.
• Membership of a relevant professional body is essential.
• Postgraduate qualification is an advantage for progression.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural and bridge design and delivery from feasibility to construction support.
• Provide high-level technical leadership with emphasis on rail bridge Engineering.
• Lead permanent and temporary works design within construction constraints.
• Develop safe, cost-effective design solutions with sound engineering judgement.
• Review calculations, drawings, reports, and technical submissions for quality.
• Ensure all designs comply with UK standards, Eurocodes and Network Rail where relevant.
• Act as technical authority, providing design reviews and challenge where needed.
• Manage multiple projects, ensuring scope, programme and budget adherence.
• Lead bids, proposals, and scope development for rail infrastructure.
• Coordinate with civil, geotechnical, drainage, and environmental teams.
• Engage with clients (Network Rail, contractors, authorities) and design teams.
• Attend meetings, site visits, possessions and reviews as required.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to workload planning and resourcing.

Skills

Structural engineering

Leadership

Stakeholder liaison

Clear English writing

Budget management

Rail/UK standards knowledge

Education

Degree in Civil/Structural Eng.

Chartered Engineer (IStructE/ICE)

Membership of professional body

Master’s degree (advantageous)

Job description

Division: Structures/Bridges/Rail Structures

Location: Manchester

Ayesa Engineering is a global consultancy with more than 3,200 employees. Its UK & Ireland business combines the strength and resources of an international organisation with the agility and autonomy typically associated with an SME.

Operating in 16 countries across 40 disciplines, Ayesa Engineering generates annual revenues of approximately €312 million and has established a strong international reputation across a broad range of engineering sectors. Its expertise spans water and flood infrastructure, transportation, marine and coastal engineering, geoscience, environmental services, energy, and building structures.

The UK & Ireland teams deliver technically complex and varied projects that enable professionals to develop broad expertise rather than being confined to highly specialised roles. This provides the opportunity to make a meaningful local impact while benefiting from the stability, technical knowledge, and career development opportunities of a well-established global consultancy.

What You Will Be Doing

Join our Manchester Structures team, delivering complex civil and structural engineering schemes across the UK. While based in Manchester, our work is delivered nationally, with approximately 90% of our portfolio focused on rail infrastructure and associated bridge and civil engineering assets.

We are seeking a highly technical Principal Structural / Bridges Design Engineer with strong rail sector experience to take a leading role in the design and delivery of complex infrastructure projects. This is a key technical leadership role within a growing team, requiring deep expertise in bridge engineering and a strong understanding of rail environments, standards, and delivery constraints.

Our team works across both permanent and temporary works design, supporting projects from routine asset management and maintenance activities through to major renewal and enhancement schemes. As a result, a practical understanding of construction methods, sequencing, and buildability is essential.

The breadth of our portfolio provides exposure to a diverse range of challenges across civil, structural, and bridge engineering. No two projects are the same, offering continual opportunities to develop technically, broaden your experience, and contribute to the successful delivery of nationally significant infrastructure.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the structural and bridge engineering design and delivery of rail and infrastructure projects from feasibility through to detailed design and construction support.
• Provide high-level technical leadership with a strong focus on bridge engineering within rail environments.
• Lead and contribute to both permanent and temporary works design, ensuring solutions are practical, buildable, and aligned with construction and operational constraints.
• Apply sound engineering judgement and construction knowledge to develop safe, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
• Undertake, check, and approve structural calculations, drawings, reports, specifications, and technical approval submissions.
• Ensure all design work complies with UK standards, Eurocodes, Network Rail standards (where applicable), CDM Regulations, and industry best practice.
• Act as a technical authority within the team, providing robust design review and technical challenge where required.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring delivery to scope, programme, budget, and quality expectations.
• Act as Project or Technical Lead on complex rail bridge, structural, and civil engineering schemes.
• Coordinate effectively with internal disciplines including civil, geotechnical, drainage, and environmental teams.
• Liaise directly with clients including Network Rail, contractors, local authorities, developers, and wider design teams.
• Attend design meetings, client briefings, site visits, possessions, and construction stage reviews as required.
• Identify technical and project risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Lead bids, fee proposals, and scope development for rail and infrastructure projects.
• Contribute to workload planning, technical resourcing, mentoring, and the development of junior engineers.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and represent the company professionally with clients, contractors, and external stakeholders.

What you will bring

• Significant experience in structural engineering within a consultancy environment.
• Strong technical knowledge across structural design, analysis, detailing, and construction methods.
• Excellent command of written English and strong report writing skills
• Experience leading projects across multiple sectors.
• Proven ability to manage engineers, technicians, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong understanding of UK design codes, Eurocodes, Building Regulations, and CDM Regulations.
• Experience liaising with clients, contractors, architects, and local authorities.
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage project budgets and fees.
• Experience preparing proposals, technical reports, fee estimates, and design documentation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status with IStructE or ICE, or working towards chartership.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Master’s degree would be advantageous but is not essential.

What We Offer:

We offer a competitive salary package along with a comprehensive range of benefits designed to support your professional growth and enhance your overall well-being:

• Competitive Salary: We offer a competitive salary package to attract and retain top talent in the industry.
• Flexible Working: Enjoy flexible working hours and hybrid working, allowing you to achieve a better work-life balance.
• Employer Pension Match Scheme: We offer a pension match scheme to help you secure your financial future.
• Income Protection: Receive support in safeguarding your income in the event of illness or injury.
• Life Assurance: Gain peace of mind with life assurance coverage.
• Training and Development Programme: Access a range of training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Family & Well-Being Support: Benefit from our Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Benefits and our confidential support services to address personal or professional challenges, included in our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Sports and Social: Engage in our vibrant sports and social activities to foster a sense of community and well-being among our team members.
• Increased Annual Leave: 25 days’ annual leave plus statutory bank holidays, enjoy increased annual leave entitlements based on years of service.
• Recognition Awards: Receive recognition for your contributions through our awards program, celebrating achievements and excellence.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.