Principal Design Engineer

Taylor Woodrow; Watford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - GBP 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm in Watford is seeking a highly skilled Principal Design Engineer with expertise in temporary works and scaffold design. The successful candidate will lead the design of complex civil engineering projects, ensuring safety and efficiency in scaffolding integration. Key responsibilities include collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, providing technical guidance, and conducting site inspections. This is a full-time, permanent position offering a dynamic work environment and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Equity of opportunity and fair treatment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards it.
• Experience in structural and temporary works design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design phases of permanent and temporary works.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on scaffold designs.
• Conduct site visits for compliance and safety assessment.

Skills

Scaffold design expertise

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Design software proficiency

Construction sequencing knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

STAAD Pro

Job description

Taylor Woodrow is a leading name in the construction and engineering industry, renowned for delivering high-quality infrastructure projects across the UK. With a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and excellence, we are dedicated to shaping the future of construction. Our Watford office is at the heart of our operations, driving forward projects that make a significant impact on communities and the environment.

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Principal Design Engineer with a strong background in temporary works and scaffold design to join our team in Watford. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in the design and delivery of complex civil engineering projects, with a particular emphasis on the safe and efficient integration of scaffolding and access systems. This role requires technical leadership, design expertise, and a proactive approach to collaboration and safety.

Duties

• Lead the design and engineering phases of both permanent and temporary works, with a key focus on scaffolding, access platforms, edge protection, and associated temporary structures.
• Develop and review engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for scaffold systems and access solutions in compliance with TG20, SG4, and other relevant standards.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including site teams, architects, structural engineers, and specialist subcontractors to ensure scaffold designs meet operational and safety requirements.
• Provide technical guidance, support, and mentorship to junior engineers and scaffold coordinators.
  Conduct regular site visits and inspections to validate scaffold installations, assess compliance, and resolve design or safety issues.
• Participate in temporary works coordination meetings, risk assessments, and constructability reviews.
  Ensure scaffold designs integrate seamlessly into overall project delivery plans and comply with CDM regulations and temporary works procedures.
• Keep up to date with the latest developments in scaffolding technologies, materials, and health & safety best practices.

Person Specification

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or working towards it.
• Significant experience in structural and temporary works design within the civil engineering or construction industry.
• Demonstrated expertise in scaffold design, including familiarity with TG20:21, SG4:22, BS EN 12811, and temporary works best practice.
• Proficiency in relevant design software such as AutoCAD, Revit, and structural analysis tools (e.g., STAAD Pro, Tekla Tedds, or similar).
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing and site constraints related to temporary works and scaffold installations.
• Proven leadership skills and the ability to manage multiple workstreams.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing design decisions and ensuring alignment across teams.

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full Time - 37.6 hours - Monday to Friday

Fairness Inclusion & Respect

Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) at Taylor Woodrow is about recognising and celebrating each other’s differences and what they bring to the team.

Harnessing this diversity and applying the experiences, abilities and unique qualities of individuals will enhance our business; therefore, we commit to equity of opportunity and fair treatment of all current and potential employees and encourage job applications from all.

Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the application process please contact us directly.

Taylor Woodrow recognises the importance of helping our employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements across many of our roles which include working from home to enable employees to balance their working life with other priorities.

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