Structural Defect Surveyor / Engineer

Cobalt Consulting (UK) Ltd; Nottingham; Remote; GBP 51,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected independent firm is seeking an experienced structural or civil engineer in the United Kingdom. This role offers total autonomy over your inspections and a genuine work-life balance, with no expectation of overtime. Successful candidates will have experience in structural defect inspections and possess a civil engineering degree. The company provides a flexible work environment, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for career progression.

Benefits

26 days annual leave + bank holidays

Life and private medical insurance

Car allowance

Full professional subscriptions paid

Pension contribution

Enhanced parental leave

All home office & engineering equipment provided

Qualifications

• Experience carrying out structural defect inspections and producing clear, robust reports.
• A strong understanding of residential construction and how to diagnose issues.
• A full UK driving license.

Responsibilities

• Carry out structural defect analysis across residential properties.
• Perform subsidence investigations, roof and chimney inspections, and other inspections.
• Engage in both field inspections and desk work for reports.

Skills

Structural defect inspections

Report writing

Excellent communication skills

Independent working

Education

Degree in structural or civil engineering

Job description

Total Autonomy & an Exceptional Work-Life Balance

Up to £60,000 + flexible benefits + career progression (including partnership potential)

Are you an experienced structural or civil engineer looking for a role where you can finally have real control over your time, your workload, and your work life balance?

This is a chance to join a respected, independent firm of property professionals that puts flexibility, autonomy and wellbeing at the heart of how they work.

If you enjoy getting out on site, diagnosing real-world problems, and producing high-quality defect reports without the pressure of long hours or rigid structures, this role will suit you perfectly.

Why This Role Is Different

• Fully home-based with work allocated close to your home location
• Total autonomy over your day and your approach to inspections
• A genuine work-life balance, with no expectation of overtime
• Supportive admin and technical teams who remove the burden of report formatting, typing and paperwork
• A varied and intellectually stimulating workload; never repetitive, always interesting
• Clear long-term career progression, including the potential for future partnership

The Role

You will specialise in carrying out structural defect analysis across residential properties, with optional opportunities to support commercial projects.

Typical inspections include:

• Subsidence investigations
• Cracking and movement
• Roof and chimney defects
• Damp and timber-related issues
• Flood or impact damage
• Assessing non-standard construction
• Residential beam calculations (advantageous but not essential)

Engineers who enjoy variety will thrive here, your week will include several specific defect inspections, balanced with desk days to complete reports and follow up on cases.

For those who want it, there's also scope to take on:

• Commercial structural inspections
• Mezzanine design
• PV loading calculations
• Other bespoke structural projects

Who We're Looking For

You will need to bring:

• Experience carrying out structural defect inspections and producing clear, robust reports
• A degree in structural or civil engineering (chartered preferred, not essential)
• A strong understanding of residential construction, how buildings fail, and how to diagnose issues
• The ability to work independently, confidently and to a high standard
• Excellent communication skills
• A full UK driving license

Most importantly, you'll thrive in a role that offers freedom, trust, and self-management.

What's On Offer

• Fully autonomous working arrangement
• 26 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Life and private medical insurance
• Car Allowance
• Full professional subscriptions paid
• Support with CPD
• All home office & engineering equipment provided
• Pension contribution
• Enhanced parental leave
• A genuinely flexible, supportive and people-first culture

If you're an engineer who values independence, meaningful work and a balanced lifestyle, this is a rare opportunity to shape a role around you.