Principal Civils Engineer

Location: Retford (3 days onsite / 2 days remote)

Duration: 12 Month Contract

IR35: Inside

Note: Must be eligable for BPSS / SC 

 Civil & Structural Engineering Design Authority Lead

Contract Role | Hybrid Working | UK

Our client is seeking an experienced Civil & Structural Engineering Design Authority Lead to provide technical leadership, governance and assurance across a major engineering programme.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior engineering professional to play a key role in defining and integrating civil infrastructure, buildings, structures and site-wide facilities within a complex, highly regulated environment. The successful candidate will act as the technical authority for civil and structural engineering, ensuring designs are safe, compliant, integrated and aligned with programme objectives.

Role Purpose

As the Civil & Structural Engineering Design Authority Lead, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining the civil engineering design vision, providing technical oversight and ensuring design integrity throughout the project lifecycle.

Working across concept, definition and delivery phases, you will ensure effective coordination between civil infrastructure, structural engineering, facilities and wider engineering systems while supporting programme progression, regulatory requirements and construction readiness activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide Civil & Structural Engineering Design Authority leadership and technical governance.
• Define and maintain the civil engineering design vision, principles and high-level requirements.
• Act as the technical authority for acceptance and assurance of civil and structural design outputs.
• Establish engineering standards, governance arrangements and review processes.
• Ensure integration between buildings, structures, infrastructure and multidisciplinary engineering systems.
• Identify and manage technical risks, assumptions, dependencies and design interfaces.
• Lead concept development activities and support requirements definition in areas of developing design maturity.
• Provide expert guidance on engineering compliance, safety and statutory obligations.
• Support design maturity assessments, lifecycle reviews and construction readiness activities.
• Challenge design outputs where required to ensure engineering excellence and design integrity.
• Contribute to safety case development, technical assurance activities and regulatory engagement.
• Work collaboratively with engineering, programme and stakeholder teams to support successful project delivery.

Experience, Skills & Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in a senior civil and structural engineering leadership position.
• Proven background within highly regulated, safety-critical or complex engineering environments.
• Experience operating as a Design Authority, Technical Authority, Chief Engineer or similar senior engineering role.
• Strong understanding of buildings, civil infrastructure, structures and site development projects.
• Demonstrable experience managing multidisciplinary engineering interfaces and systems integration.
• Strong knowledge of engineering governance, assurance processes and industry standards.
• Good understanding of CDM Regulations and wider statutory compliance requirements.
• Experience working with evolving requirements, technical uncertainty and complex stakeholder environments.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status, or working towards chartership, would be advantageous.
• Experience within major infrastructure, energy, nuclear, defence, transportation or similarly regulated sectors is highly desirable.

Company Information

At First Recruitment Group we understand just how important it is to secure the right people. That is why our Recruitment Consultants always take the time to understand requirements in detail and offer sound advice to both clients and candidates.

We actively recruit at all levels and this is a superb opportunity for a Civil & Structural Engineering Design Authority Lead looking for their next contract opportunity. Apply now to learn more.

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