Major Bridges Inspection Manager

BEAR Scotland Ltd; South Queensferry; On-site; GBP 50,000 - GBP 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An established highway maintenance company in South Queensferry is seeking a Major Bridges Inspection Manager to lead inspection activities for the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in bridge inspection, strong management skills, and relevant professional qualifications. This role offers a supportive work environment and various employee benefits, contributing to your personal and professional development.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Employee benefits including leave purchase and Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Extensive demonstrable experience in bridge inspection and/or Bridge Engineering.
• Hold relevant professional qualifications, ideally as a BICS Inspector.
• Strong knowledge of UK bridge standards and guidance.
• Experience in managing teams and external contractors.

Responsibilities

• Lead, plan, and manage inspections of bridges.
• Develop inspection regimes and schedules.
• Manage inspection teams and contractors.
• Review and author inspection reports.

Skills

Bridge inspection experience

Management skills

Excellent report writing

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Professional qualifications in Bridge Inspection or Engineering

Job description

Major Bridges Inspection Manager (Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing)

Location: South Queensferry
Category: Engineering / Bridges / Bridge Inspection
Contract: Fulltime

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Inspection Manager to lead and oversee inspection activities for the iconic Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge. This is a critical role responsible for ensuring that all inspections are planned, delivered, and reported to the highest professional and safety standards, supporting the long‑term integrity, availability, and performance of the structures. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership and manage the inspection team.

BEAR Scotland is a leading provider of highway maintenance services across Scotland. We manage and maintain over 2,000km of Scotland’s trunk road network, tackling just about every imaginable task and working round the clock to help keep Scotland moving.

The South‑East Unit includes 870 bridges and structures including the iconic Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge, as well as other major bridges such as the Kincardine Bridge and Clackmannanshire Bridge.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Lead, plan, and manage all routine and special inspections of the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing.
• Develop and maintain inspection regimes, methodologies, and schedules in line with relevant standards (e.g. DMRB, C450 etc).
• Manage and supervise inspection teams, access contractors, and specialist service providers.
• Ensure inspections are carried out safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to bridge users.
• Review, verify, and author inspection reports, ensuring high technical quality and clear recommendations.
• Maintain accurate asset condition records and contribute to asset management systems.
• Provide technical advice on defects, deterioration mechanisms, and remedial needs.
• Support the development of maintenance and strengthening programmes based on inspection findings.
• Ensure full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Extensive demonstrable experience in bridge inspection and/or Bridge Engineering
• Hold relevant professional qualifications (ideally Senior Bridge Inspection Competence Scheme (BICS) Inspector). However alternative professional qualifications may be considered.
• Strong working knowledge of relevant UK bridge standards and guidance.
• Experience managing teams and external contractors.
• Excellent report writing, communication, and organisational skills.

Why BEAR?

At the heart of our success is our people — talented, innovative, and dedicated individuals who drive everything we do. We’re committed to attracting and retaining top talent by offering a supportive and rewarding work environment. In return, we provide:

• Generous holiday entitlement
• Access to a range of employee benefits including annual leave purchase, Cycle to Work scheme, and our Employee Assistance Programme

We believe in empowering our team to grow, thrive, and achieve their full potential. Join a company that inspires you to deliver your best work and supports your journey to evolve and succeed.

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to promoting fairness, inclusion, and diversity across all areas of our business.