Principal Structural Engineer

Your Company:

NET Recruit is proud to be partnering with a highly established defence business operating nationally, with offices in Hampshire, in their search for an experienced Principal Structural Engineer to join their team. This is an excellent opportunity for a senior structural engineering professional to take a leading role across complex and technically challenging infrastructure and construction projects, providing technical direction from initial concept through to construction and completion. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality engineering solutions within demanding and highly regulated environments, the business works closely with clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, compliant, and efficient outcomes. The successful candidate will act as a senior technical authority, providing leadership across projects while contributing to the continued development of the wider engineering team.

Your Role and Responsibilities

While in this position, your duties may include but are not limited to:

• Leading the delivery of complex structural engineering projects from concept through to construction and completion.
• Acting as the senior technical authority across assigned projects, providing expert structural engineering advice and guidance.
• Managing and coordinating structural design teams, ensuring work is delivered to the required technical, quality, programme, and safety standards.
• Developing and reviewing structural designs, calculations, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Providing technical leadership and mentoring to engineers and other members of the wider design team.
• Working closely with clients, contractors, architects, and multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop effective and practical structural solutions.
• Coordinating structural engineering activities with other disciplines to ensure designs are fully integrated and technically coordinated.
• Reviewing designs and technical deliverables to ensure compliance with relevant British Standards, regulations, specifications, and project requirements.
• Providing technical support throughout construction, including reviewing contractor proposals and resolving structural design or site-related issues.
• Attending project meetings, site visits, inspections, and technical reviews where required.
• Identifying technical risks and developing appropriate engineering solutions to maintain project progress and quality.
• Supporting project planning, resource management, and delivery across multiple projects where required.
• Maintaining strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, acting as a trusted technical advisor throughout the project lifecycle.
• Contributing to the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, processes, and design practices within the business.
• Supporting business development activities and technical proposals where appropriate.

What You Will Need to Apply:

To be considered for this opportunity, you will need to have substantial experience within structural engineering, together with a proven track record of delivering complex projects and providing technical leadership within a consultancy, construction, infrastructure, or similarly regulated environment. You will need to demonstrate strong technical knowledge across structural engineering design and be confident taking responsibility for complex projects from initial concept through to construction. Experience managing or coordinating design teams and working across multidisciplinary project environments will be highly advantageous. You must be Chartered or actively working towards Chartership, with the ability to demonstrate a strong commitment to professional development and technical excellence. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are essential, as you will work closely with clients, contractors, engineers, architects, and other project stakeholders. You should be confident presenting technical information, providing expert advice, and making informed engineering decisions. You will also need excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, together with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities across complex projects. Experience working within the Defence, infrastructure, construction, or another highly regulated environment would be particularly beneficial. Due to the sensitive nature of the projects involved, candidates must hold British nationality and be able to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of UK security clearance required for the role.

What You Will Get in Return:

In return for your skills and experience, the company is offering a salary of up to £75,000 , depending on experience, alongside a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to work on a range of technically complex and strategically important projects within the Defence sector. You will join an established and highly skilled engineering environment where your technical expertise and leadership capabilities will be valued. The role provides genuine responsibility and the opportunity to act as a senior technical authority across major projects, while also supporting and mentoring the next generation of engineering professionals. You will work alongside experienced engineers and multidisciplinary teams, gaining exposure to challenging projects where structural integrity, technical excellence, safety, and compliance are critical. The business is committed to continued professional development and provides an environment where experienced engineers can broaden their technical and leadership responsibilities while progressing their careers. If you are a Chartered or near-Chartered Structural Engineer looking for a senior position where you can take technical ownership, lead engineering teams, and contribute to complex Defence projects, this could be an excellent opportunity for your next career move.

To express interest in this role and have a confidential chat, please reach out to:

Alexander Booth - Talent Acquisition Specialist M: 07525 238567 E: