Principal Ports Engineer - Defence

Role Overview

We are looking to appoint a Principal Ports Engineer with Defence experience who will join the Ports Coastal and Offshore (PCO) Team within our Aviation, Maritime and Offshore (AMO) Division. Mott Mac Donald’s teams support a wide range of clients including the UK Ministry of Defence, NATO, and international partners across land, air, maritime, and nuclear domains. Recent projects include the modernisation of submarine facilities at Devonport and Clyde, and support for the AUKUS submarine partnership.

You will use your high standard of technical capability to deliver projects within the maritime sector, and guide and develop other members of the team on technical aspects of projects, particularly with respect to maritime defence sector opportunities.

You will primarily be involved in leading technical infrastructure design projects for dockyards, shipyards and ports, including docks, jetties, dolphins, quay structures, dredging, breakwaters and revetments. You will collaborate with colleagues in a constructive manner on projects, sharing knowledge freely and work constructively to bring projects to a successful outcome to meet or exceed targeted profit, deadlines and output quality. You will contribute to bidding and winning work, using your knowledge of clients and your understanding of the technical requirements and risks associated with the prospects.

• Deliver technical infrastructure design projects for dockyards, shipyards and ports.
• Guide and develop team members on technical aspects of projects, particularly in the maritime defence sector.
• Collaborate constructively with colleagues, sharing knowledge freely.
• Lead projects to meet or exceed targeted profit, deadlines and output quality.
• Contribute to bidding and winning work, applying knowledge of clients and technical requirements.

• A degree in Civil / Structural Engineering (or equivalent).
• Chartered with a relevant professional institution (or equivalent).
• Experience working in and around multi‑disciplinary projects, ideally within Ports, Coastal or Offshore environments.
• Familiarity with industry codes & standards.
• Strong communication, team working and problem‑solving skills.

• Health cash plan to support everyday health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• Variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing programme, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5 % and 7 %.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 × your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 × your salary.
• Income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return‑to‑work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• A minimum of 33–35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme; holiday entitlement increases to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.
• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave; parental leave matches maternity leave, paying up to 24 weeks at full pay; up to five additional days leave for significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.
• Access to wide range of groups including Advanced Employee Networks supporting LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities.
• Opportunities to make a difference within our communities through social outcomes.

Applications are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance. Due to the nature of our work, travel overseas for project assignments may be required. The role is available as part‑time, job share or full‑time. Mott Mac Donald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK; candidates may apply if eligible for alternative immigration routes that do not require sponsorship.

Mott Mac Donald embraces hybrid working, equality, diversity and inclusion, and provides a supportive work environment.