AI & DfMA Computational Designer

Transforming Construction with Design, Detailing and product Innovation whilst building advanced manufacturing facilities to support MMC.

What if your engineering ideas could help shape the future of construction?

Join Laing O'Rourke's Technology & Innovation Team and work at the forefront of construction innovation. You'll help develop and validate new products, advanced materials and modern construction solutions for some of the world's most complex infrastructure programmes.

This is not a traditional design role. Working alongside experts in engineering, manufacturing, digital technology and research, you'll take innovative concepts from early-stage development through testing and validation to real-world application.

From advancing Steel-Plate composite construction to bespoke automated manufacturing facilities supporting the future of clean energy, you'll help create the technologies and solutions that will define the next generation of energy infrastructure.

As an AI & Computational Design Researcher in our Product Development team, you'll explore how artificial intelligence, computational design and parametric methods could support more effective, sustainable and collaborative approaches to Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).

Working with colleagues across design, engineering, manufacturing, construction and digital technology, you'll identify opportunities, test ideas and develop practical solutions that improve how construction products are designed, configured, manufactured and delivered.

You do not need to be an AI specialist. We're looking for someone with experience in DfMA and computational or digital design, an interest in emerging technology and a willingness to learn through experimentation. You'll have the opportunity to share your perspective, develop new knowledge and help shape the future application of AI within industrialised construction.

• Work with colleagues to identify useful and responsible applications of AI across product design, development, manufacturing and construction.
• Research emerging AI technologies and help assess where they could add practical value within DfMA and computational design.
• Explore existing design and product development processes with the people who use them, identifying opportunities for thoughtful AI-enabled improvements.
• Develop and test early prototypes using available tools, models and platforms, with support from specialist teams where needed.
• Explore applications across parametric modelling, design optimisation, BIM, product configuration, digital manufacturing and construction delivery.
• Investigate how AI could help capture, structure and reuse product, design and construction knowledge.
• Collaborate with engineering, digital, manufacturing and AI specialists to develop, test and learn from new ideas.
• Capture and share learning from experiments, helping to build an inclusive and practical AI and DfMA roadmap for Product Development.
• Demonstrate potential applications on live projects and contribute to recommendations for future development.

We recognise that relevant experience can be gained in different ways. If your experience does not match every point below, but you believe you could contribute to the role, we encourage you to apply.

• Experience in DfMA, product development, computational design or industrialised construction.
• Experience of BIM and digital design processes.
• An understanding of computational design, design automation or parametric modelling.
• An understanding of how construction products are designed, manufactured and assembled.
• An interest in AI and emerging digital…