Senior Structure Engineer

Swindon Borough Council; Swindon; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Swindon Borough Council invites applications for a Senior Structure Engineer. This role supports the safety, performance and long‑term resilience of the housing and corporate property portfolio, leading complex inspections and improvement works.

Reporting to the Service Manager, you will conduct detailed structural surveys, diagnose defects, develop practical solutions, prepare specifications and oversee high‑value repair and strengthening projects.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in structural engineering and defects diagnosis.
• Degree in Structural or Civil Engineering with professional membership essential.
• Strong communication and risk management skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed structural surveys and diagnose complex defects.
• Develop practical, proportionate solutions and oversee high-value works.
• Prepare technical specifications and manage contractor performance on site.
• Mentor junior staff and support continuous improvement in engineering.

Skills

Strong communication

English fluent

Structural engineering experience

Risk management

Education

Degree in Structural or Civil Engineering

IStructE membership or eligibility

Job description

Senior Structure Engineer

Ref: 179466-2

Salary: £51,356 p.a. plus benefits

Please note: 3.3% national pay award increase to be applied in October.

37 hours per week

Swindon Borough Council are on an exciting journey to transform service delivery. We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that’s who we’re doing it for – the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you’ll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It’s all for better public services. Better processes. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.

Your next role

Housing and Corporate Repairs sit at the heart of people’s everyday lives, and we’re on a improvement journey to transform how we deliver for our residents. Our ambition is clear: to provide outstanding customer service, deliver value for money, and build modern, responsive services centred around residents’ needs.

It’s an exciting time to join us. We’re investing heavily, embracing innovation, and empowering our teams to make a real difference.

This senior role plays a key part in ensuring the safety, performance and long‑term resilience of the Council’s housing and corporate property portfolio. Reporting to the Service Manager or Service Lead, you will act as a subject matter expert in structural engineering, providing authoritative technical advice and leading the delivery of complex inspections, assessments and improvement works.

You will undertake and lead detailed structural surveys, diagnose complex and high‑risk defects and develop practical, proportionate solutions. You will prepare and manage technical specifications and oversee the delivery of high‑value repair, strengthening and improvement works, taking clear accountability for quality, cost and programme. Working closely with colleagues and contractors, you will manage contractor performance, oversee works on site and ensure delivery meets agreed technical and safety standards.

Alongside project delivery, you will provide expert advice on structural risk, support the resolution of complex property issues and contribute to strategic decision‑making. You will mentor junior staff, promote best practice and support continuous improvement across the engineering and property functions.

We are looking for someone with significant experience in structural engineering. You will have strong knowledge of structural design, defect diagnosis and contract management, with experience leading complex or high‑value works. A degree in Structural or Civil Engineering, along with professional membership (or eligibility) such as IStructE is essential. You will bring sound judgement, strong communication skills and a pragmatic approach to managing technical risk and delivery.

You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act “for the effective performance of a customer‑facing role”).

Your next package

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It’s why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you’ll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We’ll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we’ll achieve our vision of a prosperous, re‑vitalised Swindon together. And you’ll be proud to say it was made better with you.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.

Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don’t meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

Your next steps

For more information, please contact Andrea Lomax, Service manager at [e-mail].

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion.

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application, please email [e-mail].

Closing date: 30 September 2026

Interview date: 8 October 2026