Principal Structural Engineer

Morson Edge; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal Civil & Structural Engineer to provide technical leadership across diverse energy projects. You will oversee project delivery, mentor teams, and ensure compliance with safety and quality standards. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, a degree in Civil Engineering, and chartered status. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits, alongside a flexible working arrangement to support your work-life balance.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Enhanced parental leave

Flexible working arrangements

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading civil and structural design teams on large-scale or regulated projects.
• Strong understanding of nuclear safety, regulation, and quality assurance.
• Proficiency in structural design principles and industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across civil and structural engineering projects.
• Act as Responsible Engineer and Technical Authority on major projects.
• Manage and mentor project delivery teams.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem Solving

Stakeholder Engagement

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline

Chartered Engineer status (CEng)

Tools

Finite Element Modelling Software

Job description

Build the Future of Energy Infrastructure

Are you ready to take your engineering career to the next level? We’re looking for a talented and forward-thinking Principal Civil & Structural Engineer to join our expanding Energy business. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to some of the UK’s most exciting energy and infrastructure projects — from next-generation nuclear and renewable developments to advanced industrial facilities supporting the UK’s Net Zero ambitions.

You’ll join a team of dedicated professionals tackling complex engineering challenges with creativity, integrity, and collaboration. Our projects are diverse, technically demanding, and purpose-driven — offering the perfect environment for you to grow your expertise, lead multidisciplinary teams, and make a real impact on the future of energy.

What You’ll Be Doing

In this senior position, you’ll provide technical leadership across a range of civil and structural engineering projects spanning the full lifecycle — from early concept and feasibility through detailed design, construction, and delivery.

You’ll take responsibility for ensuring that solutions are delivered safely, on time, and to the highest standards of quality and innovation.

Key responsibilities include :

• Acting as the Responsible Engineer and Technical Authority on major energy projects of varying size and complexity
• Leading the definition of civil and structural engineering strategies, standards, and best practices across projects
• Managing and mentoring project delivery teams through all stages — from bid generation to construction support
• Ensuring designs comply with relevant regulatory, safety, and quality requirements
• Providing oversight and verification for safety case inputs and design substantiation documents
• Conducting technical reviews, finite element modelling, and structural analysis using advanced digital tools
• Preparing and validating key deliverables such as Basis of Design documents, calculations, specifications, and technical reports
• Engaging with clients, regulators, and industry bodies to build and maintain strong professional relationships
• Driving innovation, digitalisation, and continuous improvement in engineering delivery
• Supporting business development and proposal activities to secure new opportunities

About You

We’re looking for a highly motivated and technically proficient engineer who thrives on solving complex challenges and leading multidisciplinary teams. You’ll be an excellent communicator who can inspire others, build trust, and deliver exceptional outcomes in a collaborative environment.

Essential skills and experience :

• Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline (BEng, MEng, BSc, MSc)
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with a relevant professional body
• Proven experience leading civil and structural design teams on large-scale or highly regulated projects
• Strong understanding of nuclear safety, regulation, and quality assurance processes
• Proficiency in structural design principles, analysis methods, and relevant industry codes and standards (e.g. ACI, ASCE, AISC)
• Experience with finite element modelling software and associated verification processes
• Solid knowledge of health and safety legislation, risk management, and CDM compliance
• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills

Desirable :

• Experience in the nuclear, renewable, or wider energy sector
• Familiarity with the UK Nuclear Licensing and Generic Design Assessment process
• Understanding of BIM environments and digital engineering workflows
• Recognised as a technical authority or subject matter expert within your field

What We Offer

We know that our success depends on our people. That’s why we’re committed to creating an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment where you can thrive.

Our benefits include :

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Free single medical cover and access to digital GP services
• Enhanced parental leave pay and family-friendly policies
• Reimbursement for professional memberships and continued professional development
• Support for achieving or maintaining professional registration (IEng, CEng)
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance
• Opportunities to work on high-impact projects that make a real difference

We believe in empowering our people — encouraging innovation, recognising achievement, and offering the freedom and support to shape your own career path.

Where You’ll Work

You’ll be based at one of our key UK Energy offices — Newcastle, Warrington, Gloucester, or Knutsford — with flexibility to work from home part of the week. We’re proud to support hybrid and flexible working arrangements that help you balance professional and personal commitments.

Join Us

If you’re passionate about engineering excellence and want to lead the delivery of innovative, sustainable solutions that drive the UK’s clean energy future, we’d love to hear from you.

Be part of something bigger.

Shape the future of energy with us.

Apply today and take the next step in your engineering career