Lead Structural Engineer

BRE Group; Watford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading innovation hub in the built environment is seeking a Lead Structural Engineer in Watford. The role combines technical expertise with leadership, focusing on delivering high-quality engineering solutions that enhance safety and sustainability. The ideal candidate should have strong knowledge of structural standards, experience with project management, and the ability to support business growth through strategic technical input. This position requires onsite presence and offers a competitive salary along with substantial benefits.

Benefits

Pension scheme with employer-matched contribution

Life assurance at 4x basic salary

HealthPartners cashback scheme

Onsite restaurant and nursery

Learning & development opportunities

Qualifications

• Chartered Structural Engineer with expertise in structural engineering.
• Proven ability to manage complex engineering projects.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams to achieve project goals.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural engineering activities within BRE’s Structural team.
• Manage delivery of projects ensuring technical quality and compliance.
• Support business development and client engagement activities.

Skills

Chartered Structural Engineering expertise

Technical authority in structural engineering and testing

Experience in leading complex structural projects

Strong knowledge of BS and EN codes and standards

Understanding of static and dynamic structural behaviour

Experience with AutoCAD and engineering tools

FEA modelling

Commercial awareness

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft applications

Job description

Are you ready to shape the future of the built environment?

At BRE, we don’t just respond to industry change, we lead it. We’re looking for an exceptional Lead Structural Engineer to play a pivotal role in delivering innovative, evidence-based solutions that improve the safety, sustainability, and performance of buildings.

This is a rare opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with strategic influence, working at the forefront of research, standards, and real-world application. If you’re passionate about engineering excellence and want your work to make a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Help BRE make buildings safer and more sustainable!

BRE aims to be the world’s leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world.

Your role at BRE

The Lead Structural Engineer provides technical leadership for structural engineering activities within BRE’s Structural team, delivering high-quality engineering, testing, and assurance services that support business growth and industry impact.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Lead and manage a complex structural engineering function, delivering a complete technical service against agreed objectives and growth targets
• Oversee the delivery of structural engineering projects, ensuring technical quality, compliance with relevant BS and EN standards, and alignment with client requirements
• Develop and interpret test regimes based on structural design principles, including static and dynamic behaviour
• Manage laboratory-based activities to ensure safe, consistent, and reliable testing outcomes
• Coordinate engineers, technicians, and laboratory staff to achieve cohesive and efficient project delivery
• Provide technical input to business development activities, including client engagement, proposal development, and representation at industry events
• Act as a technical authority on complex client enquiries, producing high-quality technical proposals and reports
• Support inspection, assessment, and reporting activities relating to UK construction methods, materials, and structural fire performance
• Contribute to the strategic development and profile of the Structural Technology team and associated laboratories

What we are looking for

• Chartered Structural Engineering expertise with strong technical authority in structural engineering and testing
• Proven capability in leading and managing complex structural engineering activities and technical services
• Strong working knowledge of BS and EN codes and standards, and their application to structural design and test regimes
• Demonstrated understanding of static and dynamic structural behaviour and engineering mechanics
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, technicians, and laboratory staff
• Ability to develop and review high-quality technical proposals, reports, and inspection documentation
• Experience contributing technical input to business development, client engagement, and external representation
• Knowledge of UK construction methods, materials, and historic and modern construction forms
• Experience with structural fire design and assessment in accordance with relevant standards
• Proficiency in relevant engineering and reporting tools, including AutoCAD and standard Microsoft applications
• FEA modelling
• Commercial awareness, with experience contributing to income generation and workload throughput
• Ability to support the technical reputation and profile of BRE and its Structural Technology capabilities

BRE Benefits

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.

Financial & Security Benefits

• Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution
• Life assurance – 4x your basic salary
• Enhanced maternity package

Health & Wellbeing

• HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more
• Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points

Career Development

• Learning & development – Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform
• Professional membership reimbursement

For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefits

Work Location Options

On-Site – This role requires full-time presence at our Watford office. You must live within a commutable distance.

Our Recruitment Process

Closing date: 06/02/26

If successful in the first stage, you will be invited to a virtual or in‑person second‑stage interview.

Note to Employment Agencies

At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means.

Equal Opportunities Statement

BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.

#LI-SR1