Principal Engineer - Building Structures

Tetra Tech Europe; Galway; On-site; EUR 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech Europe is looking for an Associate Engineer specialized in Buildings and Structures, to work on complex and socially significant building projects across Ireland. You will lead projects from the initial design phase to completion, ensuring technical excellence and collaborating with clients and stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will hold a Level 8 degree in Structural or Civil Engineering, have extensive experience in delivering structural projects, and possess chartered status or be on the path towards it. You'll join a dynamic team dedicated to sustainable and innovative building design.

Qualifications

• Chartered status with IStructE or Engineers Ireland expected.
• Significant experience in structural design across various building types.
• Hands-on experience in project delivery and technical assurance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the structural design process from concept to completion.
• Manage risk and compliance during project delivery.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders effectively.

Skills

Technical knowledge in structural engineering

Client engagement

Project leadership

Risk management

Strategic awareness

Education

Level 8 degree in Structural or Civil Engineering

Level 9 postgraduate qualification

Job description

Associate Engineer – Buildings and Structures

Location: Dublin, Galway, Cork, Kilkenny

We’re seeking a highly experienced Senior Structural Engineer to lead the delivery of technically complex and socially meaningful building projects across Ireland using cutting edge digital design and BIM processes, fully aligned with best sustainable‑design principals and facilitating use of modern methods of construction (MMC). This is your chance to influence the design of sustainable, state‑of‑art healthcare, education, and wider public / private sector building infrastructure from concept to completion, while working within a collaborative, forward‑thinking team that values innovation and impact.

Purpose & Scope Of The Role

This Senior‑level role gives you the chance to lead major building projects from early design through to construction. As Associate Engineer, you’ll be at the heart of project delivery—overseeing structural design, coordinating with architects and consultants, and working closely with clients and statutory bodies to ensure everything runs smoothly. You’ll shape technical outputs, lead internal workshops, and represent the team in external design meetings. You’ll also mentor junior engineers and play a key role in the strategic growth of the wider team. Within our Buildings & Structures team, you’ll be part of a network of around 50 professionals across six offices, contributing to a diverse portfolio of over 100 live projects. These projects range from building‑facility refurbishments / retrofits (typical works values in range €1‑10 m) up to new building facilities (typical works value €5 ‑ 250 m) often on constrained or challenging brownfield sites that demand smart, innovative and coordinated solutions.

Current national projects include critical hospital bed expansions in the HSE Mid‑West region, new elective healthcare centres in Cork and Galway, and innovative school developments through the DEY Programme. You’ll also have the opportunity to work on technically demanding schemes like the Uisce Éireann National Testing Laboratory in Limerick and the Kilshane Energy Plant in Dublin—projects that require precision, collaboration, and forward‑thinking engineering.

Your Impact In This Position

This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of significant multidisciplinary projects and to influence their direction from the earliest design stages. In the short term, the successful candidate will lead the structural delivery of live projects, ensuring technical excellence and compliance with planning and regulatory requirements. As they progress, they will manage a portfolio of projects, contribute to sector leadership, and support client relationships at a strategic level. Over time, the role offers a clear pathway into senior management, with opportunities to shape team strategy, influence business planning, and support the development of new workstreams through tendering and business development. The role is ideal for someone who thrives in a dynamic, collaborative environment and is ready to make a lasting impact on the built environment across Ireland.

Core Capabilities

Technical Expertise in Structural Engineering:

You’ll bring deep technical knowledge and hands‑on experience in structural engineering, particularly in the design and delivery of buildings. From steel and composite frames to reinforced concrete, precast systems and masonry, you’ll lead the structural design process, review outputs, and ensure seamless integration with other disciplines. You’ll act as a subject matter expert, providing technical assurance to both clients and internal teams.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

You’ll be the go‑to technical contact for clients, local authorities, and external consultants—leading design meetings, resolving technical queries, and translating complex engineering concepts into clear, actionable outcomes. You’ll also liaise with statutory bodies and planning authorities to ensure designs meet regulatory and planning requirements.

Project Leadership & Delivery

You’ll take full ownership of project delivery from concept to construction, leading internal teams of engineers, technicians, and Revit modellers. You’ll manage design quality, coordinate outputs, and ensure timely delivery. You’ll also oversee resource planning and contribute to short‑term forecasting to keep the team aligned with project demands.

Strategic & Commercial Awareness

As a senior team member, you’ll help shape the team’s direction over the next 12‑24 months. You’ll contribute to business development, tendering, and strategic planning, and take part in leadership discussions around live tenders, resourcing, and pipeline management. You’ll bring a strong understanding of market drivers and project performance, with a proactive approach to identifying and managing delivery risks.

Risk Management & Governance

You’ll take a lead role in managing project risk—developing and maintaining risk registers, embedding mitigation strategies, and supporting governance and quality assurance. You’ll help foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the team.

Qualifications & Experience

• You’ll hold at least a Level 8 degree in Structural or Civil Engineering, with a Level 9 postgraduate qualification seen as a plus.
• Chartered status—or active progress toward it—with IStructE or Engineers Ireland is expected.
• You’ll also bring significant experience in structural design and delivery across a range of building types and materials.

Working Environment

This role is based in Dublin, Cork, Galway or Kilkenny, with hybrid working and agile office arrangements offered as standard. Office attendance will be balanced to meet project and client needs, while supporting flexible working for work‑life balance. Travel to client sites, planning authority meetings and project locations across Ireland will be required on an occasional basis.

Equality Act 2010

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role.