Technical Director-Civil Engineering

Mott MacDonald; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Employee ownership

Annual bonus schemes

Pension matching

Wellbeing program

Job summary

Mott MacDonald in the UK Energy unit is seeking a Technical Director with civil/structural expertise to lead design on power plants, HV substations, and cable projects.

You will steer FEED, drive technical assurance, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and support the Project Manager with cost and schedule control within a hybrid-working environment.

This role offers Chartered Engineer progression, collaboration with National Grid and SSE, and the chance to shape critical energy infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge of civil/structural engineering principles including load-bearing capacity and design codes.
• Proven track record as a designer under CDM 2015.
• Experience in FEED and leading design coordination across multidisciplinary teams.
• Knowledge of National Grid and SSE specifications and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical assurance and design for civil/structural components in power plants and HV projects.
• Coordinate interfaces between disciplines and drive value engineering opportunities.
• Oversee drawings approvals for planning, FEED, and construction packages.
• Support project management with programme, budget, and resource planning.
• Lead front-end engineering design activities for structural components.

Skills

Civil/Structural engineering

Project leadership

FEED leadership

Cost & scheduling

Quality assurance

Education

Bachelor/Master in Civil or Structural Eng

Chartered Engineer

Job description

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance - we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you're surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle - from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we're helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

Overview of the role

Our division provides Civil expertise across power generation and HV transmission including power plants, HV substation / HVDC Interconnector converter station, and HV cable projects. Due to continued growth, we are looking for a Technical Director with experience of working for our key platinum clients including National Grid and SSE to join our Civil Team. The role will span a diverse portfolio of work and there will be opportunities for advancement within the team.

Key Responsibilities:

The selected candidate will carry out technical assurance and lead design work on power plants, HVAC substation/ HVDC Interconnector converter station, and HV cable projects, fulfilling tasks including:

• Technical Lead outlining Delivery plan for a coordinated civil design including earthworks, drainage, access roads and geotechnical aspects
• Technical Subject Matter Expert within the team and division
• Technical lead in understanding client standards and challenging the specifications to provide value engineering opportunities
• Front End Engineering Design (FEED)
• Approval of drawings for use in planning applications and tender packages
• Approval of Detailed Civil/Structural Design
• Support for Senior and Principal Engineers leading Design Coordination across multidisciplinary teams
• Approval of Specifications
• Condition and Structural Assessment of existing structures to determine suitability for reuse
• Supporting Project Management (Programme, budget, resources and quality plan)

Candidate Specification

To apply for this position, you must have the following:

• Technical Expertise
  • Deep knowledge of civil/structural engineering principles, including load-bearing capacity, material properties, and design codes (British Standards, Eurocodes, NGTS)
  • Ensure technical quality management with clear plans for reviews, checks, and approvals
  • Uphold Mott MacDonald's PRIDE values in the project's technical culture
  • Proven track record as a Designer under CDM 2015
  • National Grid and SSE Specifications

• Project Technical lead
  • Lead the Project Team in technical innovation and problem-solving
  • Ensure top-notch technical quality within scope, cost, and time
  • Collaborate with the Project Manager to build and resource the Design Team
  • Oversee technical management, coordinate interfaces, and resolve conflicts
  • Contribute to proposal writing with compelling content and accurate cost estimates
  • Lead Front End Engineering Design activities for structural components
  • Guide detailed designs for civil and structural components

• Design Coordination and Collaboration
  • Excel in coordinating with other disciplines (e.g., architects, building services engineers) to integrate structural designs seamlessly
  • Effective resolution of design conflicts within multidisciplinary teams

• Attention to Detail
  • Proficiency in approval of detailed drawings for planning applications, FEED, and construction level detailed design packages
  • Compliance with relevant standards is crucial
  • Ability to manage and deliver designs in coordination with all relevant disciplines
  • Communication and Leadership
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for conveying technical information, collaborating with team members, and presenting findings
  • Demonstrable leadership qualities, especially when guiding junior engineers or collaborating with stakeholders

Essential Experience:

• Relevant experience in Civil Engineering
• Energy project experience would be advantageous for this role.

Qualifications:

• Education: A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, or Construction Management
• Chartered Engineer (CEng, MICE or MIStructE)

If this resonates, let's explore how your expertise fits our team.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.