Principal Structural Engineer - Rail, Bridges & Civil Structures

This role is offered by Crouch Waterfall, a subsidiary of Vulcain Engineering Group.

As part of the Vulcain family, Crouch Waterfall brings decades of specialist experience in Civil, Structural, and Geotechnical Engineering to a wide range of UK infrastructure projects. Crouch Waterfall specialise in core areas of Bridges, Rail, Infrastructure, Buildings and Geotechnical Services, designing and coordinating projects from conception to completion. Established since 1981, the business has enjoyed steady growth driven by a committed and highly skilled workforce of 120 employees.

The Position: Principal Structural Engineer - Rail, Bridges & Civil Structures

Due to continued business growth, we are seeking a Principal Civil & Structural Engineer to join our multi-disciplinary team based in Basingstoke.

Reporting to the Associate Director, you will lead the technical delivery of a diverse portfolio of projects, ranging from smaller schemes through to projects valued up to £20m. These include work across rail, bridges, and temporary works design, among other civil structures.

We are ideally looking for an experienced Principal Engineer, but we also encourage applications from experienced Engineers who are ready to progress to Principal level, with structured support and mentorship provided.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of complex civil & structural projects, including bridges, structural steel, reinforced concrete, and temporary works.
• Provide leadership and direction to a team of Engineers and Technicians, supporting their development through mentoring, coaching, and technical guidance.
• Act as a technical reviewer, checking and approving designs, calculations, and analysis produced by others.
• Undertake structural assessments, site inspections, and surveys, producing clear and concise technical reports.
• Plan and manage project delivery, including programmes, resource allocation, and coordination with senior leadership.
• Support commercial aspects of projects, including forecasting, invoicing, and fee management.
• Engage with clients to define project scope, manage expectations, and ensure successful delivery of outputs.
• Contribute to the preparation of tenders and fee proposals.
• Support business growth by developing client relationships and identifying new opportunities.

Preferred Experience

• A Chartered Engineer, with a strong track record in leading the technical delivery for the design of large-scale structures – ideally across bridges, structural steel, and reinforced concrete.
• Technical expertise across assessment, inspection, analysis of existing structures, and new-build design.
• Proficient in structural engineering software such as Tedds, Robot, and/or Midas.
• Prior exposure to rail projects is beneficial, but not essential – we encourage applications from engineers from other sectors.
• Experience in bridge design and/or temporary works is advantageous; candidates with broader structural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• Ideally, exposure to Contractor Engineering Manager (CEM) responsibilities across design, although this is not essential.
• Confident in client-facing environments, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Independent right to work in the UK, alongside extensive UK project experience.

You’ll be joining a dynamic SME with a strong and growing project portfolio across multiple sectors and structure types. The role offers real scope to shape your influence, grow capability around you, and take on broader leadership responsibility. This is a great opportunity for someone from a larger organisation who wants greater visibility, impact, and progression.

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