Structural Discipline Head

Salary: Competitive rate - outside of scope of IR35

Job Reference: JOB-90469

Published: 29-07-2026

Duration: Long term contract

Expiry Date: 26-08-2026

Country: United Kingdom

Structural Discipline Head

We are woerking with a growing engineering consultancy specialising in the UK water sector, delivering design, engineering, and project support services across major capital investment programmes and long-term framework agreements. The organisation works closely with water utility providers to deliver infrastructure improvements, treatment works upgrades, and network enhancement projects.

We are seeking an experienced Chartered Structural Engineer to lead the delivery of complex engineering design projects within highly regulated infrastructure environments. This senior-level position offers the opportunity to combine technical expertise with leadership responsibilities, driving engineering excellence while supporting the development of a growing multidisciplinary team.

The successful candidate will act as a technical authority for structural engineering, overseeing design delivery, technical assurance, governance, and team development. The role combines hands-on involvement in the production and review of structural designs with wider responsibility for technical standards, competency management, and engineering best practice.

Key Responsibilities Technical Leadership & Design Delivery

• Lead the development of safe, practical, and cost-effective structural engineering solutions.
• Review and approve design deliverables, technical reports, specifications, and design risk assessments.
• Ensure engineering solutions align with project requirements, client expectations, and regulatory obligations.
• Provide clear technical guidance to project teams and stakeholders.
• Support and mentor engineers, technicians, and junior team members.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards, codes of practice, and project-specific requirements.
• Participate in and lead technical reviews, design workshops, and client meetings.
• Oversee design verification activities and ensure appropriate independent checking processes are applied.

Engineering Governance & Team Development

• Maintain and promote technical excellence across structural engineering activities.
• Support competency management, resource planning, and workforce development initiatives.
• Identify training and professional development needs within the engineering team.
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines to manage interfaces and ensure integrated project delivery.
• Contribute to project planning, estimating, and resource forecasting activities.
• Champion safe-by-design principles and ensure design risk management is embedded throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support the continuous improvement of engineering processes, standards, and delivery methodologies.
• Provide technical input to bids, proposals, and business development activities where required.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an experienced structural engineering professional with a strong background in regulated industries and a proven ability to lead technical teams and deliver complex projects.

Essential Requirements

• Chartered Engineer status.
• Degree or equivalent qualification in Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in structural design at Senior or Principal Engineer level.
• Experience working within regulated sectors such as water, transportation, energy, nuclear, or industrial infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of structural engineering principles, design standards, and construction methodologies.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary project environments.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong digital engineering and design software capabilities.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience in a technical leadership, discipline lead, or engineering authority position.
• Knowledge of reinforced concrete, steel, and specialist structural design software.
• Experience delivering projects within water or transportation infrastructure sectors.
• Involvement in tender preparation, technical proposals, and project planning activities.
• Experience undertaking independent design checks and technical reviews.
• Familiarity with BIM processes and common data environments.
• Experience supporting recruitment, mentoring, and competency development programs.
• Background working within consultancy, framework, or design delivery organisations.