Principal Structural Engineer

Company Description

Division:
Structures/Bridges/Rail Structures

Location:

Manchester

Ayesa Engineering is a global consultancy with more than 3,200 employees. Its UK & Ireland business combines the strength and resources of an international organisation with the agility and autonomy typically associated with an SME.

Operating in 16 countries across 40 disciplines, Ayesa Engineering generates annual revenues of approximately €312 million and has established a strong international reputation across a broad range of engineering sectors. Its expertise spans water and flood infrastructure, transportation, marine and coastal engineering, geoscience, environmental services, energy, and building structures.

The UK & Ireland teams deliver technically complex and varied projects that enable professionals to develop broad expertise rather than being confined to highly specialised roles. This provides the opportunity to make a meaningful local impact while benefiting from the stability, technical knowledge, and career development opportunities of a well-established global consultancy.

Join our Manchester Structures team, delivering complex civil and structural engineering schemes across the UK. While based in Manchester, our work is delivered nationally, with approximately 90% of our portfolio focused on rail infrastructure and associated bridge and civil engineering assets.

We are seeking a highly technical Principal Structural / Bridges Design Engineer with strong rail sector experience to take a leading role in the design and delivery of complex infrastructure projects. This is a key technical leadership role within a growing team, requiring deep expertise in bridge engineering and a strong understanding of rail environments, standards, and delivery constraints.

Our team works across both permanent and temporary works design, supporting projects from routine asset management and maintenance activities through to major renewal and enhancement schemes. As a result, a practical understanding of construction methods, sequencing, and buildability is essential.

The breadth of our portfolio provides exposure to a diverse range of challenges across civil, structural, and bridge engineering. No two projects are the same, offering continual opportunities to develop technically, broaden your experience, and contribute to the successful delivery of nationally significant infrastructure.

• Lead the structural and bridge engineering design and delivery of rail and infrastructure projects from feasibility through to detailed design and construction support.
• Provide high-level technical leadership with a strong focus on bridge engineering within rail environments.
• Lead and contribute to both permanent and temporary works design, ensuring solutions are practical, buildable, and aligned with construction and operational constraints.
• Apply sound engineering judgement and construction knowledge to develop safe, efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
• Undertake, check, and approve structural calculations, drawings, reports, specifications, and technical approval submissions.
• Ensure all design work complies with UK standards, Eurocodes, Network Rail standards (where applicable), CDM Regulations, and industry best practice.
• Act as a technical authority within the team, providing robust design review and technical challenge where required.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring delivery to scope, programme, budget, and quality expectations.
• Act as Project or Technical Lead on complex rail bridge, structural, and civil engineering schemes.
• Coordinate effectively with internal disciplines including civil, geotechnical, drainage, and environmental teams.
• Liaise directly with clients including Network Rail, contractors, local authorities, developers, and wider design teams.
• Attend design meetings, client briefings, site visits, possessions, and construction stage reviews as required.
• Identify technical and project risks and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Lead bids, fee proposals, and scope development for rail and infrastructure projects.
• Contribute to workload planning,…