Senior Methods Engineer

Laing O'Rourke; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Laing O'Rourke in Ipswich is seeking a Senior Methods Engineer to support the Nuclear Island scope of the Sizewell C civil works. You will shape construction approaches, drive early-stage methodologies and align design with buildability, safety and programme priorities.

The role requires strong experience in major civil projects, leadership of engineering teams and collaboration across the Civil Works Alliance to deliver efficient, compliant solutions on site.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering.
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. ICE).
• Minimum of 6 years' experience on major civil engineering projects.
• Contractor-side delivery experience.
• Experience in the power and/or nuclear sector is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead early-stage construction methodologies for Nuclear Island civil works.
• Champion Safe by Design and engineered safety principles from concept stage.
• Mentor and coordinate a team of methods and digital engineers.
• Produce initial construction method statements, sketches and visualisations.
• Interface with designers to ensure buildable, efficient, safe solutions.
• Contribute to constructability reviews, value engineering workshops, option studies.
• Coordinate with commercial, procurement, project controls, construction delivery and HSE.
• Review designers' proposals to de-risk technical solutions and optimise sequencing.
• Engage with subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Capture lessons learned from Sizewell C and apply them.
• Ensure methodologies comply with regulatory and project requirements.
• Promote collaboration across the alliance.

Skills

Early-stage methods

Safe by Design

Team leadership

Constructability reviews

Design interface

Value engineering

Option studies

Subcontractor coordination

Lessons learned

Regulatory compliance

Heavy reinforced concrete works

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

ICE membership

Tools

Revit

Navisworks

CAD tools

Job description

Senior Methods Engineer – Main Civils Works

Location: Ipswich (with site visits to Suffolk as required)

Join the exciting journey of one of the UK's largest nuclear projects at Sizewell C!

The Civil Works Alliance (CWA) is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Methods Engineer tosupport the successful delivery of the Nuclear Island scope on the Sizewell C Project.

CWA, appointed by the Sizewell C client, brings together three leading delivery contractors — Laing O'Rourke, Bouygues, and Balfour Beatty — to deliver the civils scope including Enabling Earthworks, Main Civil Works, and Marine and Tunnelling.

Working as part of the Civil Works Alliance Main Civils team, the Senior Methods Engineer will be embedded within the Nuclear Island scope on Sizewell C, operating at the critical interface between design and construction. The role is central to shaping how the works will be delivered, leading the development of early‑stage construction methodologies that influence design decisions, programme strategy and overall project risk. Acting as a trusted technical authority, the Senior Methods Engineer will drive constructability, engineered safety and value‑led solutions, while collaborating closely with designers, delivery teams and the wider alliance to ensure the permanent civils works are buildable, efficient and safe from the outset.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of early‑stage construction methodologies for Nuclear Island permanent civils works, shaping design, programme and delivery strategy


• Champion Safe by Design and engineered safety principles, ensuring health, safety and wellbeing are embedded into construction solutions from concept stage


• Manage, mentor and coordinate a team of methods and digital engineers, setting clear technical direction and standards


• Produce robust initial construction method statements, sketches, model views and visualisations to support constructability and design development


• Act as the primary construction engineering interface with designers, influencing design outcomes to ensure solutions are buildable, efficient and safe


• Facilitate and contribute to constructability reviews, value engineering workshops and option studies with designers and alliance partners


• Interface closely with internal CWA functions including commercial, procurement, project controls, construction delivery and HSE to ensure alignment on risk, cost and programme


• Review and challenge designers' proposals to de‑risk technical solutions, reduce quantities, optimise sequencing and drive programme efficiencies


• Engage with specialist subcontractors and supply chain partners to understand construction constraints and opportunities


• Capture lessons learned and best practice from Hinkley Point C and apply them to Sizewell C methodologies


• Ensure all methodologies comply with statutory, regulatory and project requirements within a nuclear‑licensed environment


• Promote collaboration across the alliance, acting in the best interests of the project and supporting a one‑team culture

What Skills and Experience We Are Looking For

• Strong technical expertise in heavy reinforced concrete works, reinforcement prefabrication and temporary works


• Proven experience producing construction methodologies, sketches and model‑based visualisations


• Competence using Revit, Navisworks and CAD tools to support method development


• Ability to lead technical workshops and coordinate multi‑disciplinary stakeholders


• Experience managing and mentoring engineering teams


• A collaborative communicator, confident engaging with clients, designers and supply chain partners

Qualifications and Experience

• Degree in Civil Engineering


• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. ICE)


• Minimum of 6 years' experience on major civil engineering projects


• Contractor‑side delivery experience


• Experience in the power and/or nuclear sector is desirable

Why Sizewell C

This is your chance to contribute to one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure projects, shaping the future of energy while working in a supportive, dynamic environment. Be part of a team that values innovation, safety, and sustainability at every stage of the journey—from investment to construction and beyond

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 

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we would like to enable access to candidates with long term conditions and disabilities through the ‘Offer an interview scheme'. This supports applicants that meet the essential criteria by offering an interview for the advertised position. Please let us know if you would like to opt in to this scheme and let us know if you require any adjustments for the interview process.

#LI-OJ1