Principal Structural Engineer

Ridge & Partners LLP; Winchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Built Environment Consultancy in the UK seeks a Chartered or Near-Chartered Senior Engineer for its Structural Engineering team. You will manage diverse structural projects, supervise junior staff, and ensure compliance with technical and quality standards. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, chartership, and strong structural design skills. This role offers competitive benefits including flexible working, career development, and health support. Join a team passionate about transforming the built environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus options

Volunteering days

Mental health support

Pension scheme

Medical insurance

Flexible working

Performance bonus

Qualifications

• Chartered (or near-chartered) engineer with extensive experience in structural engineering.
• Experience with 2D and 3D structural design packages and BIM.
• Good commercial awareness and experience in project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from inception to completion, ensuring quality and budget compliance.
• Supervise and mentor junior engineers and technicians.
• Conduct site visits and inspections, producing high-quality reports.

Skills

Structural design

Finite Element Design

Building Information Modelling (BIM)

Technical report writing

Communication skills

Project management

Education

PhD or MEng in Structural Engineering

Chartered or near-chartered engineer

Tools

SCIA Engineer

TEKLA Structural Designer

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

We have a requirement for a Chartered or Near‑Chartered Senior Engineer to join our expanding Structural Engineering team. With a varied work‑stream you will have the opportunity to practice in many fields of structural engineering ranging from the design of large complex developments (5 – 200 million) to detailed assessments of existing structures, playing a pivotal role in the development of the built environment.

Responsibilities

• Report to and take direction from the Partner / Associate leading the structural engineering team.
• Represent Ridge in a client‑facing role, managing projects from inception to completion, ensuring deliverables are issued on programme, to the required quality standard, within budget and time allocation.
• Report on financial performance of projects and resourcing requirements to senior management, assisting in the management of team resources required to implement the commercial and business direction of the team.
• Act as lead or sole designer as appropriate to the size and complexity of the project, responsible for outline scheme through to detailed design and production of technical deliverables.
• Carry out structural analysis and design in accordance with EuroCode suite of design codes, ensuring designs are economic, sustainable, efficient and buildable.
• Undertake checking of calculation packages, drawings, specifications, reports and other project deliverables, ensuring that our QA procedures are complied with.
• Supervise and mentor junior engineers, technicians and apprentices within the team, playing an active role in their future development.
• Undertake surveys / inspections and produce high‑quality technical reports on findings with appropriate recommendations, presenting these to the client where needed.
• Undertake existing building assessments in line with Building Safety Act requirements, including managing intrusive investigations on site.
• Undertake site visits during construction to resolve site queries, monitor progress and provide advice to contractors.

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD, EngD, MEng, BSc & MSc or BSc with extensive post‑graduate experience in a field relevant to structural engineering, ideally recognised by the Washington Accord / Engineering Council.
• Chartered (or near‑chartered) and a Member or Graduate Member of either the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) or Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
  
• Excellent communication skills in written and spoken English, including technical report writing skills.
• Demonstrable and sound experience in the design of structures in concrete, steel, masonry and timber.
• Experience with Finite Element Design (ideally using SCIA Engineer).
• Experience with use of 2D and 3D structural design packages such as TEKLA Structural Designer, TEDDS, Masterseries etc.
• Experience working with Building Information Modelling (BIM) and within a 3D environment generally.
• Experience using AutoCAD and Revit beneficial but not essential.
• Demonstrable experience working in projects of a similar size and complexity and familiarity with key forms of building construction.
• Demonstrable UK experience working in a client‑facing role undertaking surveys / inspections and assisting contractors on site.
• Be a collaborative, confident and ambitious team player who is also able to work with minimal supervision and use own initiative.
• Good commercial awareness and demonstrable experience in project running.
• Have an awareness of sustainability in design and implementing sustainable options in preparation of structural designs.
• Hold a current UK driving licence.

About Us

We are Ridge, a Built Environment Consultancy. We help our clients transform the quality and sustainability of the built environment. Our 1400 people bring a vast range of skills, delivering a professional mindset, gritty discipline and a genuine passion to every project they undertake each year. We are hungry to be part of an exceptional team – if you put quality first, if you’re motivated by ingenuity and lifelong aspiration.

Your Benefits

• Annual Leave – A healthy holiday allowance that starts at 25 days pa plus the option to buy, carry over or sell.
• Community Spirit – Take three volunteering days each year to spend time on causes close to your heart.
• Mental Health – Mental Health First Aiders are here to support you backed up by Unums app.
• Financial Benefits – Life assurance, pension scheme and income protection.
• Physical Wellbeing – Medical insurance, private GP access and discounted gym membership.
• Flexible Working – Our flexible approach to hybrid working is there to suit you, your family and your team.
• Career Development – A pathway at Ridge focused on your professional, personal or educational aspirations.
• Extra Benefits – Performance bonus, car allowance and more based on your role and progression.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We believe that everyone performs their best when they feel like they belong and can be their true selves at work. As an equal opportunities employer we will support you to ensure you have everything you need to be successful and achieve your best in your career at Ridge. If you’d like to discuss accessibility accommodations or adjustments during your application and selection process please contact us and we will work with you to ensure you feel included and supported.

Recruitment Agency Note

We are recruiting for this role directly and are not seeking support from agency partners. Any unsolicited CV introductions will not be honoured and we will not grant candidate ownership on any introductions you make for roles that have not been briefed and released to you by our Talent Acquisition team.