Senior Temporary Works Design Engineer

Laing O'Rourke; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Laing O'Rourke is seeking a Senior Design Engineer based in Manchester, UK. This role involves producing drawing specifications, ensuring project compliance with safety standards, and mentoring junior engineers.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in structural design using materials such as steel and concrete, as well as experience with geotechnical principles. You will play a key role in project management, supporting live projects and tenders.

The position offers an opportunity for professional development within a supportive team environment.

Qualifications

• Strong technical background in structural design and materials.
• Experience in designing with steel, concrete, and timber.
• Comfortable with Eurocodes and geotechnical considerations.

Responsibilities

• Produce drawings, calculations, and specifications for projects.
• Support project management and compliance with safety regulations.
• Mentor junior engineers and manage project workloads.

Skills

Structural design

Technical background

Geotechnical design

Mentoring

Use of Eurocodes

Education

Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

CAD

BIM

FE analysis

Job description

As a Senior Design Engineer, you'll be responsible for producing drawings, calculations, and specifications for a wide range of permanent and temporary works. You'll also play a key role in supporting live projects and tenders by offering practical advice on buildability, construction methods, and value engineering.

You may also take the lead in managing junior engineers—supporting them day-to-day, mentoring their development, and checking their work to make sure everything meets the required standards.

A strong technical background is essential. You should be comfortable designing with common structural materials like steel, reinforced concrete, and timber, using Eurocodes. Experience with geotechnical design and familiarity with falsework, formwork, and shoring systems will be a big advantage.

What You’ll Be Doing - Commercial & Project Management

• Help ensure designs are efficient and cost-effective by applying your experience and judgement
• Manage your time (and others’ where needed) effectively, including use of software and external design support
• Keep track of your workload and provide regular updates to the Lead Engineer

Safety & Compliance

• Make sure all designs meet relevant health and safety legislation (CDM, LOLER, PUWER, etc.)
• Follow company safety and quality systems
• Take ownership of your designs and ensure the right level of checking is applied
• Carry out design risk assessments and clearly communicate any remaining risks
• Include key details like load limits, pour rates, and performance constraints on drawings
• Highlight any safety-critical elements and recommend inspections or tests where needed
• Provide clear construction sequence information to support site teams
• Stay up to date with safety alerts and standards, and reflect these in your work
• Carry out site visits if required to ensure designs are being followed correctly

Engineering & Innovation

• Develop practical, buildable, and innovative engineering solutions
• Use tools like FE analysis and 3D modelling where appropriate
• Design using industry standards across steel, concrete, and timber
• Contribute geotechnical input where needed (e.g. excavations, slopes, working platforms)
• Consider all load cases, including temporary conditions during construction
• Review and check designs from others, including junior engineers
• Communicate clearly with designers, planners, and site teams
• Support tenders with outline methods, pricing inputs, and technical advice
• Produce designs and drawings using CAD, BIM, and other available tools

Team & Development

• Support and mentor junior engineers on the team
• Share knowledge and help develop internal training where needed
• Keep your own skills up to date through training, learning, and professional development

Quality & Processes

• Follow quality procedures for checking and approving designs and documents
• Make sure everything is properly recorded and filed with document control teams
• Contribute ideas to improve processes and ways of working

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.

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you need the application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please email [e-mail]