Senior Project Engineer (Civils / Structures) – Major Infrastructure Programme

I’m recruiting for a Senior Project Engineer to support delivery on a large, complex UK infrastructure programme. The role sits on the client side of delivery and is closest aligned to what would traditionally be described as a “Resident Engineer” position.

This is a delivery and assurance role rather than a design post. The focus is on ensuring that what is being built on site is compliant, coordinated, and technically sound, working alongside contractors in a live construction environment.

The scale is significant: major heavy civils packages, large structures, multiple interfaces, and high levels of governance and assurance required to keep delivery moving safely and correctly.

The role

You will form part of a wider engineering function embedded within delivery teams. Your role is to provide engineering oversight, challenge and assurance across design and construction, intervening where risk, non-compliance or poor coordination is identified.

Approximately 60–70% of your time will support the NEC Supervisor function, including:

• Reviewing contractor submissions, inspection and test plans, and compliance evidence
• Responding to technical queries, defects and non-conformances
• Supporting quality management, assurance checks and site activity
• Providing engineering input to help ensure works are delivered to specification and intent

The remaining time will focus on broader engineering assurance, interface management and technical support to the delivery team.

Technical focus
The engineering emphasis is weighted as follows:

• Heavy civils and structures as the primary focus (earthworks, concrete, viaducts, bridges)
• Architectural elements and structural integration
• Mechanical and electrical interfaces, from a coordination and assurance perspective rather than detailed design

Experience with viaducts, large reinforced concrete works, or steel-framed buildings (stations, depots, large-span structures) would be particularly relevant.

Background and experience
This role is well suited to engineers who come from a delivery-led background. Experience may come from rail or highways environments, where similar standards, assurance regimes and contractual controls apply.
Key is not where you learned to design, but where you have:

• Supported or discharged engineering assurance during live construction
• Worked with NEC contracts and understand the practical responsibilities of the Supervisor role
• Operated close to site, dealing with real-world delivery issues rather than theoretical design
• Provided engineering challenge and judgement in major infrastructure settings

Highways experience is entirely valid, as the standards, governance and delivery challenges are comparable.

What matters

• Strong engineering judgement and the confidence to challenge constructively
• Comfortable working face-to-face with contractors and delivery teams
• A practical, delivery-first mindset rather than a purely design-led approach
• Focused on getting the work built correctly, safely and efficiently

Hybrid working is available and you will be part of an established team with clear technical governance