Senior Design Engineer Temporary Works/Structures

Laing O'Rourke; Dartford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Laing O'Rourke is seeking a Senior Design Engineer to lead temporary works and structural designs across diverse UK projects. You will apply rigorous analysis, check calculations, and collaborate with project teams to deliver buildable, safe temporary works solutions.

You'll apply Eurocodes to steel, concrete and timber, mentor junior engineers, and drive ongoing improvements in design processes. Chartered status or progress toward chartership is desirable, with strong CAD/BIM proficiency.

Qualifications

• Degree in civil or structural engineering is required.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership is desirable.
• Experience applying Eurocodes to steel, concrete, or timber structures.
• Proficient with structural analysis software and CAD/BIM environments.

Responsibilities

• Produce and check temporary works designs, calculations, drawings and specs.
• Apply first-principles engineering to develop buildable, safe solutions.
• Design in accordance with Eurocodes for steel, concrete and timber.
• Provide technical support to project, tender and construction teams.
• Identify and communicate design risks and safety-critical elements.
• Interface with permanent works designers to ensure compatibility.
• Undertake design reviews and independent checks.
• Mentor and support junior engineers in analysis and design.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design processes and standards.

Skills

Eurocodes knowledge

Structural analysis software

CAD/BIM proficiency

Strong communication

Mentoring junior engineers

Education

Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

Structural analysis software

CAD/BIM environments

Job description

Overview

Senior Design Engineer (Temporary Works/Structures)

Do you enjoy solving complex structural engineering challenges and developing innovative solutions that enable safe, efficient construction? Are you experienced in delivering robust, well-considered designs and proficient in structural analysis and design software?

We are seeking an experienced Senior Design Engineer to join our Europe Hub Temporary Works Design team. The role offers the opportunity to deliver high-quality engineering solutions across a diverse portfolio of construction and infrastructure projects, while contributing to innovation, technical excellence, and the development of future talent.

Responsibilities

• Produce and check temporary works designs, calculations, drawings, and specifications, ensuring structural integrity and clearly defined design assumptions.
• Apply first-principles engineering to develop innovative, buildable solutions that support safe construction methodologies and value engineering objectives.
• Design in accordance with Eurocodes across a range of structural materials, including steel, reinforced concrete, and timber.
• Provide technical support to project, tender, and construction teams.
• Identify, assess, and communicate design risks, residual risks, constraints, and safety-critical elements.
• Interface with permanent works designers and stakeholders to ensure compatibility between temporary works, construction methodology and the permanent design.
• Undertake design reviews and independent checks, maintaining high standards of technical assurance.
• Mentor and support junior engineers in structural analysis, design, and engineering best practice.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design processes, standards, and technical excellence across the team.

About You

• Degree qualified in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status (or working towards chartership) is desirable.
• Strong design experience within a construction, contractor, or design consultancy environment.
• Demonstrable experience applying Eurocodes in the design of steel, concrete, and/or timber structures.
• Proficient in structural analysis software and comfortable working within CAD/BIM-based design environments.
• Strong understanding of structural behaviour, load paths, stability, and the application of sound engineering judgement.
• Knowledge of construction sequencing and methodology and its influence on structural behaviour.
• Experience in temporary works design, or transferable experience from complex permanent works design.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with proprietary temporary works systems, including falsework, formwork, and shoring, is advantageous.
• Knowledge of geotechnical design principles, including excavation support and working platforms, is advantageous.

What You'll Bring

You will bring a design-led mindset, combining strong analytical capability with practical construction awareness. You will be comfortable engaging with complex engineering problems, thinking out of the box, challenging assumptions, and developing solutions that are technically robust, buildable, and integrated with the wider project objectives.

About Us

Laing O\'Rourke are an international engineering and construction company delivering state-of-the-art infrastructure and buildings projects for clients in the UK, Middle East and Australia.

Certainty, reliability, quality – this is what our clients want. And at Laing O\'Rourke, we have more than 150 years of experience delivering it. Laing O\'Rourke\'s story is one of energy, passion, ambition, people and teamwork. We harness the power of our experience, stretching back over a century and a half to deliver certainty for our clients.