Structural Engineer - Bridges

4Recruitment Services; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

4Recruitment Services is recruiting for a Bridges Engineering role in Manchester. The position supports ongoing management, inspection, maintenance and improvements of bridge and highway structures, with a £46,142 per annum salary and a hybrid working pattern (1–2 days in Manchester office, remaining weeks working from home with site visits in Manchester).

The service aims to commence in August 2026 on a rolling contract basis, with responsibilities spanning asset management, design, project

Responsibilities

• Management and coordination of routine, reactive and planned maintenance activities, including minor design and build schemes.
• Technical oversight of asset condition, structural defects and service performance.
• Resolution of historic or legacy structural issues.
• Recommendations to improve asset performance, resilience and lifecycle management.
• Delivery of bridge maintenance, strengthening and improvement programmes.
• Scheme development, feasibility studies, option appraisals and business case support.
• Programme planning, monitoring and performance reporting.
• Project delivery from concept through to completion.
• Design and build project management, including contractor coordination and technical oversight.
• Monitoring service delivery against agreed performance measures.
• Management of interfaces with contractors and supply chain partners.
• Performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Technical assurance of compliance with legislation, regulations, industry standards and CDM requirements.
• Experienced in fulfilling duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, including support to Client and Principal Designer functions.
• Familiarity with Local Authority or Consultancy health and safety responsibilities, including RAMS review.
• Desktop and site-based inspections focused on health, safety, quality and technical compliance

Job description

Location: Manchester M60

Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm

Pay: £46,142 per annum

Our client requires specialist Bridges Engineering, minor Design and Project Management Services to support the ongoing management, inspection, maintenance and improvement of the Council’s bridge and highway structures portfolio. The Highway Structures team aims to streamline the design and build process by reducing reliance on outsourced design providers. Two consultants will lead with the D&Bs within the Structures team to accelerate development of the 2026/27 maintenance programme, develop designs, engage contractors through an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) approach, and oversee delivery of minor maintenance schemes. Scheme values typically range from £15,000 to £250,000.

The service is intended to commence in August 2026 on a rolling contract basis and will provide resilience in delivering the Council’s statutory and operational responsibilities for bridge and highway structure client services. Business hours Monday to Friday each working week typically 35 hours. Hybrid working typically 1-2 days a week in the central Manchester office, remainder WF Home with site visits across Manchester. ICT and equipment provided.

Scope of Services

The consultancy service shall provide engineering, technical, design and project management support across the bridges and structures portfolio, ensuring assets remain safe, compliant, operationally effective and aligned with statutory requirements and service objectives. The service will support the management of the Council’s bridge, retaining wall, culvert, footbridge and associated highway structures assets, reporting to the Structures management team, supported by the Contracts team within highways.

Required Deliverables

Asset Management and Maintenance Support

• Management and coordination of routine, reactive and planned maintenance activities, including minor design and build schemes.
• Technical oversight of asset condition, structural defects and service performance.
• Resolution of historic or legacy structural issues.
• Recommendations to improve asset performance, resilience and lifecycle management.

Technical Engineering and Design Services

• Technical review, assurance and approval of bridge and structural designs, assessments, scopes, specifications, drawings designers risks etc. Assisting the commercial team preparing measures and B of Qs.
• Assessment of highways schemes, development projects and third-party works affecting structures.
• Professional engineering advice on standards, regulations, codes of practice and industry best practice.
• Support for bridge management systems and specialist engineering software.
• Bridge inspections experienced in undertaking, reviewing and certifying bridge inspections in accordance with CS 450, CS 451 and associated DMRB requirements that impact designs.

Project and Programme Delivery

• Delivery of bridge maintenance, strengthening and improvement programmes.
• Scheme development, feasibility studies, option appraisals and business case support.
• Programme planning, monitoring and performance reporting.
• Project delivery from concept through to completion.
• Design and build project management, including contractor coordination and technical oversight.

Contract and Performance Management

• Monitoring service delivery against agreed performance measures.
• Management of interfaces with contractors and supply chain partners.
• Performance reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Technical assurance of compliance with legislation, regulations, industry standards and CDM requirements.
• Experienced in fulfilling duties under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015, including support to Client and Principal Designer functions.
• Familiarity with Local Authority or Consultancy, health and safety responsibilities, including the review of RAMS and other relevant related documentation associated with bridge maintenance and construction activities.
• Desktop and site-based inspections focused on health, safety, quality and technical compliance