Lead Structural Engineer - Marine Concrete Design

Black6; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative engineering firm is seeking a Lead Structural Engineer in Los Angeles, California to oversee design and delivery of cutting-edge marine infrastructure projects. You will enhance concrete structural designs for prototypes and facilitate project execution through rigorous standards compliance. The ideal candidate has over 7 years of structural engineering experience, particularly in marine settings. This role offers competitive compensation, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities to shape the engineering presence in the UK.

Benefits

Competitive compensation package

25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays

Flexible remote work

Home-office equipment provided

Qualifications

• 7+ years of structural engineering experience, including reinforced concrete and marine/coastal structures.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or pursuing chartership is strongly preferred.
• Strong command of Eurocode standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural design for concrete marine and offshore structures.
• Develop detailed drawings and specifications for prototypes.
• Communicate design intent to internal teams and clients.

Skills

Reinforced concrete design

Creative problem solving

Communication skills

Project management

FEM tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Master’s or PhD preferred

Tools

SAP2000

ABAQUS

Job description

About Sperra Seaworks Limited

Sperra Seaworks Limited is advancing the next generation of marine and offshore infrastructure using 3D printed concrete and advanced structural design. Our mission is to develop practical, scalable solutions for offshore construction - including anchors, floating platforms, and subsea systems - supporting emerging forms of marine energy and resilient coastal development.

With headquarters in Los Angeles and growing operations in Europe, Sperra Seaworks Limited is expanding its engineering team in the UK to support projects across Europe and the Middle East

Who You Are

• A structural engineer with extensive reinforced concrete design experience, ideally in marine, port, or coastal environments
• Skilled at developing conceptual through detailed designs, with a strong sense of constructability and practical implementation
• Experienced applying Eurocode, BS EN, DNV, and related standards to non-standard and complex structures
• Comfortable generating design solutions for emerging construction methods, including 3D printed concrete
• Creative and resourceful—able to propose and evaluate structural concepts beyond conventional approaches
• Organised and effective at managing design workflows, documentation, and project deliverables
• A clear communicator who works well with contractors, fabricators, and multidisciplinary teams

What You Will Do

As Lead Structural Engineer, you will shape the design and delivery of Sperra’s UK marine infrastructure projects. You will lead concrete structural design across concept development, detailed design, fabrication planning, and prototype development. While analysis remains part of the work, the emphasis is on design leadership, creativity, and project execution. Working closely with Sperra’s R&D and fabrication teams, you will help translate prototypes, material testing, and computational models into manufacturable offshore and coastal infrastructure solutions.

As Sperra Seaworks Limited’s first UK-based hire, you will help establish our engineering and operational presence in the region. You will shape local engineering practices, coordinate with UK and EU partners, and support the development of a highly capable UK engineering hub within Sperra’s global portfolio.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead structural design for concrete marine and offshore structures, including novel 3D printed systems
• Develop conceptual designs, detailed drawings, and specifications for prototypes and project deliverables
• Balance structural performance, code compliance, durability, and manufacturability in marine environments
• Evaluate constructability constraints and coordinate design details with fabricators and contractors
• Support project management activities, including scope definition, scheduling, technical documentation, and client coordination
• Prepare design reports, calculations, and documentation compliant with Eurocode, BS EN, and DNV standards
• Contribute to early-stage concept development and applied R&D efforts
• Support prototype development and testing, interpreting structural behaviour to refine design assumptions
• Communicate design intent clearly to internal teams, external partners, and clients
• Perform and review finite element analysis using SAP2000 and ABAQUS

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering
• Master’s or PhD with focus on concrete, marine, or offshore structures (preferred)
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working toward chartership (strongly preferred)
• 7+ years of structural engineering experience, including reinforced concrete and marine/coastal structures
• Strong command of Eurocode, BS EN, DNV, and/or API standards
• Experience delivering projects from concept through detailed design and deployment
• Strong communication skills in a remote, multidisciplinary environment
• Experience with marine energy, offshore structures, or naval architecture is a plus
• Proficiency in structural analysis and FEM tools (e.g., SAP2000, ABAQUS)

What You Will Get

• Competitive compensation package commensurate with experience
• 25 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• Home-office equipment and engineering software/tools provided
• Flexible remote work with periodic travel to project and fabrication sites
• Opportunity to shape Sperra’s UK engineering presence and influence technical strategy
• Work on cutting-edge projects at the intersection of marine infrastructure and advanced manufacturing