Structural & Civil Engineering Lead
Job Title: Structural & Civil Engineering Lead
Location: UK (Project-Based / Regional)
Sector: Construction (Major Projects / Infrastructure / Buildings)
Reporting to: Engineering Director / Project Director
Role Purpose
The Structural & Civil Engineering Lead is responsible for providing technical leadership and assurance for all structural and civil engineering aspects of major construction projects. The role requires strong expertise in reinforced and prestressed concrete design, temporary and permanent works, and the management of complex ground and structural interfaces.
You will act as the senior technical authority, ensuring designs are safe, compliant, buildable, and aligned with programme, commercial, and quality objectives.
Key Responsibilities
Engineering Leadership
Lead all structural and civil engineering activities across the project lifecycle, from pre‑construction through delivery and handover.
Act as the technical focal point for concrete structures, substructures, foundations, frames, slabs, and external civil works.
Provide clear leadership to internal engineering teams, designers, and specialist subcontractors.
Design Management & Technical Assurance
Manage and review structural and civil engineering designs to ensure compliance with:
Eurocodes (including concrete design to EC2)
UK National Annexes
Building Regulations and relevant British Standards
Ensure concrete design solutions are safe, efficient, and buildable, including reinforcement detailing, sequencing, and construction methodology.
Chair design reviews, design risk workshops, and technical assurance meetings.
Construction Support & Buildability
Support construction teams with engineering input during delivery, including problem-solving and technical queries.
Review and approve method statements, temporary works designs, and sequencing proposals.
Ensure structural and civil works are safely integrated with other disciplines (MEP, architectural, geotechnical).
Commercial & Programme Input
Provide technical input to procurement strategies and subcontractor selection.
Support commercial teams with engineering input to cost planning, value engineering, and change control.
Identify opportunities to optimise concrete design, materials, and construction methods.
Quality, Safety & Compliance
Ensure engineering designs and site activities meet statutory, safety, and quality requirements.
Support inspections, testing regimes, and concrete quality control processes.
Contribute to lessons learned, technical standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Essential Experience & Qualifications
Proven experience as a Structural and/or Civil Engineering Lead within the UK construction industry.
Extensive hands-on experience with concrete design, including reinforced concrete frames, slabs, foundations, and substructures.
Experience delivering complex projects as part of a main contractor or engineering-led contractor.
Strong understanding of contractor-led design, temporary works, and construction methodology.
Degree-qualified in Civil or Structural Engineering.
Chartered Engineer status (ICE or IStructE) or actively working towards chartership.
Desirable Experience
Experience working on major projects (commercial, infrastructure, healthcare, data centres, or large-scale residential).
Knowledge of geotechnical engineering and ground-structure interaction.
Experience working within BIM-enabled design environments.
Familiarity with UK assurance processes such as Category checks and independent design reviews.
Key Skills & Attributes
High level of technical competence and attention to detail.
Strong leadership and decision-making capability.
Excellent communication skills with engineers, site teams, and senior stakeholders.
Commercial awareness and problem-solving mindset.
Committed to safety, quality, and engineering excellence.
What We Offer
Opportunity to lead engineering on technically challenging and high-profile construction projects.
Long-term career development within a respected UK construction business.
Competitive salary, car or car allowance, bonus, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Client
- Dragados
- Remote status
- Hybrid
About Arcavia Consulting
Arcavia Consulting provides embedded recruiting, executive search and project recruitment to organisations throughout the built environment and infrastructure market.
Arcavia Consulting is a trading name of Ellward Search Limited