Principal Structural Engineer (Altrincham, ENG)

Vertical Recruitment is working with an established multidisciplinary engineering consultancy looking to appoint an experienced Principal Structural Engineer to strengthen its Structural Engineering team.

The consultancy provides engineering, environmental and planning services across a diverse portfolio of infrastructure and development projects, with particular involvement in rail, bridges, water infrastructure and industrial facilities.

This opportunity would suit a technically strong Structural Engineer who enjoys taking ownership of projects and remaining directly involved in design, while also developing greater responsibility for client relationships, project management and mentoring other engineers.

The position offers a combination of technically challenging work, multidisciplinary collaboration and a clear route towards Associate-level responsibilities.

The Opportunity

This is a senior technical position offering responsibility for the design and delivery of structural engineering projects, from early feasibility through detailed design and construction.

You'll work closely with civil and geotechnical engineers, technicians and other specialists, taking ownership of complex design packages and providing technical direction across multidisciplinary commissions.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading structural engineering projects across rail, transportation, water and industrial infrastructure.

• Undertaking structural analysis and design across steelwork, reinforced concrete, masonry, timber and foundations.

• Managing structural assessments, feasibility studies, design development and detailed technical delivery.

• Producing and reviewing calculations, drawings, specifications and technical reports.

• Providing technical guidance on complex design challenges, buildability and modifications to existing structures.

• Coordinating with civil, geotechnical and other engineering disciplines to develop practical design solutions.

• Managing project programmes, fees, resources and technical deliverables.

• Working directly with clients, contractors and external stakeholders throughout project delivery.

• Supporting and mentoring engineers and technicians, reviewing technical work and helping develop team capability.

• Contributing to fee proposals, technical submissions and ongoing client relationships.

The role is particularly suited to someone who wants to retain a strong technical focus while taking on broader responsibility for project delivery and the development of others.

Project Exposure

The consultancy works across a varied portfolio of structural and infrastructure projects, including:

-
Rail and transportation: Bridges, rail-related structures, structural assessments, strengthening works and modifications to existing assets.

-
Water and wastewater: Pumping stations, treatment facilities, buried structures, chambers and associated infrastructure.

-
Industrial and energy: Structural steelwork, equipment supports, foundations, access structures and modifications to operational facilities.

-
Wider infrastructure: Multidisciplinary engineering projects, existing asset assessments and contractor-led design commissions.

Experience across every sector isn't essential. A strong technical structural engineering background is the priority, with experience in rail, bridges, water or industrial infrastructure particularly relevant.

About You

We're interested in speaking with experienced Structural Engineers who have developed strong technical design capabilities and are confident managing projects and providing technical direction to others.

Ideally, you'll have:

• A degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a related discipline.

• Approximately 8–10+ years' relevant structural engineering consultancy experience.

• Chartered status with IStructE or ICE, or be approaching Chartership with demonstrable Principal-level capability.

• Strong experience in structural analysis and design, particularly steelwork and reinforced concrete.

• A proven track record of delivering structural engineering projects from feasibility through detailed design and construction.

• Experience assessing existing structures, resolving technical challenges and developing practical design solutions.

• Confident working knowledge of relevant structural analysis and design software.

• Experience coordinating engineers and technicians, reviewing designs and managing technical deliverables.

• Commercial awareness, including project fees, programmes, resources and risk management.

• Confidence working directly with clients, contractors and multidisciplinary project teams.

• A good understanding of relevant UK design standards, CDM requirements and technical quality procedures.

Experience in infrastructure-focused structural engineering, particularly bridges, rail or water-related structures, would be advantageous.

What's on Offer?

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

• Flexible working arrangements.

• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with service.

• Private medical care and company pension.

• Continued professional development and support towards professional accreditation.

• Exposure to technically challenging structural and multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.

• The opportunity to work closely with experienced engineers across civil, structural and geotechnical disciplines.

• Greater responsibility for technical delivery, project management and client relationships.

• Clear progression towards Associate-level responsibilities.

• Potential opportunity for share ownership within an employee-owned business.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Structural Engineer looking to take ownership of technically challenging projects, broaden their involvement in infrastructure delivery and progress towards a more senior leadership position, while remaining closely involved in engineering design.