Principal Civil/Structural Engineer

Role and Responsibilities:

Civil/Structural Engineer Responsibilities:

• Deliver innovative, sustainable, efficient, safe, practical, and intelligent structural engineering solutions on rail and power projects and other activities appropriate to the stage and type of project.
• Manage more junior engineers and technicians to produce complete, co-ordinated, and high-quality project information (calculations, drawings, specifications and other documents) on time and on budget to meet agreed deadlines avoiding on site delays.
• Undertake multi-disciplinary design co-ordination activities with all relevant members of the design team.
• Ensure the stability of designs in the permanent/final condition as well as during construction.
• Ensure projects and work reviews are conducted regularly to ensure all deadlines are met.
• Ensure all designs are checked in line with the WCS BMS or Client requirements.
• Record errors or issues with the Engineering Manager so they can be avoided again in the future.
• Ensure Health & Safety is considered at all stages of the design process so that designs produced minimise risk during construction.
• Maintain a CDM Designers Risk Register on all projects detailing the process by which all the risks were identified and then eliminated or minimised.
• Ensure that adequate notes are added to drawings so that all unusual risks that cannot be eliminated from the designs are highlighted to the contractor and any specific methods of working or sequencing are clearly described.
• Ensure all necessary opening-up and site investigation are carried out on all projects to properly assess the ground conditions, existing structures and boundary conditions.
• Ensure exceptional high standards of presentation are maintained in all documents issued by the company.
• Deputise for line manager when required.

People Management

• Supervise junior engineers and technicians to manage workflow, deadlines, and quality.
• Manage team workflow to ensure monthly invoicing targets are met.
• Manage team workflow and work volumes highlighting if additional resource is required to meet deadlines.
• Highlight to the Engineering Manager any areas where improvements could be made within the team.
• Use Teams to track and co-ordinate tasks.
• Ensure the completion of accurate timesheets each week.
• Ensure effective knowledge and use of the office procedures and systems.

Fees and Invoicing

• Prepare and issue bids and fee proposals for new projects that are competitive and profitable as agreed with line manager.
• Ensure a written appointment has been received from the client prior to significant work being undertaken or issued on all projects.
• Monitor and record changes in the scope of works and when additional work is required, beyond the agreed fee, discuss with the line manager to ensure all additional fees are agreed with the client prior to the work being undertaken.
• Keep all project spreadsheets and databases up to date to reflect the current and projected project status.
• Prepare accurate invoices every month for the accounts department for all projects ensuring that expenses and disbursements are charged accordingly.
• Help maintain accurate records of outstanding invoices and communication with clients and help chase outstanding invoices in a timely and sensitive manner.

Marketing

• Maintain excellent professional and friendly working relationships with colleagues, existing clients and other collaborators to secure flow or repeat work.
• Actively and positively promote the company in all work activities. Attend suitable industry events to develop connections with new clients and to help secure new, interesting and profitable work.
• Assist with editing and creating all marketing collateral (brochures, presentations, website, blogs, social media) under the direction of the line manager.
• Attend trade shows representing business (no more than once annually)
• Contribute to shared knowledge sessions.

Communication

• Liaise with clients and the design team to ensure that efficient and integrated structural solutions are produced on all projects which are sensitive to the design intent.
• Maintain good, clear and proactive communication with all relevant members of the design team to ensure all are aware of project progress.
• Attend design team, site and client meetings as required and keep accurate notes of all discussions.

Training

• Share expert knowledge across the team to help develop others.
• Actively and continually update skills and technical knowledge through CPD.
• Ensure that all IStructE/ICE CPD requirements are met every year.

Person Specification

The following are essential skills for successful performance in the role:

• Degree level qualification in Civil or Structural Engineering
• Minimum of 8 years’ relevant experience in a design consultancy, ideally with experience of executing, leading and managing the design of projects within rail/energy/infrastructure sectors
• Considerable experience of working on Network Rail bridges/structures would be a requirement.
• 4+ years’ experience of managing a team of engineers and technicians and evidence of developing their skills and knowledge
• Excellent attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal skills
• Strong analytical and design skills with the ability to interpret design requirements and analyse complex structures
• A high level of computer literacy with experience of relevant up-to-date engineering design software.
• Experience of producing simple, clear calculations and drawings
• Strong health and safety management experience including management and maintenance of CDM Risk Registers
• An adaptable and flexible working style with the ability to develop and foster collaborative working relationships
• Experience of mentoring and coaching junior engineers and technicians
• Experience of preparing bid proposals
• The ability to confidently present ideas, opinions and solutions
• Experience of monitoring compliance with design, statutory professional requirements
• Experience of attending and presenting to design review and constructability meetings with clients
• Ability to represent the company on site visits/surveys (sometimes in unsociable hours) in a professional manner

The following are essential skills for successful performance in the role:

• A Masters level degree in Civil or Structural Engineering
• Near of Chartered membership of a relevant professional body (ICE or IStructE)
• Experience of effective financial management and control of projects

Having a current clean UK driving license for travel throughout the UK to visit sites and carry out inspections from time to time is essential.