Head of Civil Engineering (Low Carbon) – Energy

Overview

In this role, you steer the Civil & Structural Engineering discipline within WSP’s Energy team, guiding technical direction and governance. You’ll lead complex, multidisciplinary energy projects from feasibility through commissioning, champion safety, quality, and constructability, and act as a technical authority to shape outcomes. You’ll collaborate with clients and delivery partners on first-of-a-kind programmes, driving digital engineering and continuous improvement. This is a chance to influence a growing portfolio at a world-leading firm.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid working
• flexible hours
• health and wellbeing programmes
• Virtual GP
• gymflex scheme
• inclusive culture

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction for civil and structural engineering across the Energy team with focus on safety, quality, constructability, and whole-life value
• Act as technical authority, design approver, or independent reviewer on high-risk commissions
• Lead technical reviews across steelwork, concrete, foundations, geotechnical interfaces, earthworks, drainage, roads, buildings, and temporary works
• Ensure designs, calculations, specifications, drawings and reports are properly scoped, checked, and approved
• Own discipline procedures, design guides, calculation tools, and competence requirements
• Promote Safety in Design, CDM compliance, hazard elimination and residual risk recording
• Drive application of Business Management System, SHEQ, and relevant standards
• Lead resolution of technical issues and lessons learned; embed improvements
• Champion digital engineering, automation, standardisation, and innovation to improve quality and efficiency
• Provide visible civil engineering leadership on major multidisciplinary and first-of-a-kind projects
• Define scopes, deliverables, programmes and interfaces before work starts
• Manage technical interfaces, design changes, risk, and resource priorities with project teams
• Build trusted relationships with clients, contractors, operators and delivery partners
• Support construction, commissioning and operational queries; participate in site reviews
• Contribute to bids by shaping technical approach, delivery model, and pricing basis
• Undertake technical due diligence and peer reviews as appropriate
• Mentor engineers and technicians; support professional registration and knowledge sharing
• Maintain competence and authorisation framework for technical authority roles
• Connect UK and international delivery teams to ensure integrated delivery

Key requirements

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or closely related discipline
• Chartered Engineer status with ICE, IStructE or equivalent
• Significant post-chartership experience delivering complex civil/structural work in energy, nuclear, industrial or major infrastructure
• Technical depth across multiple areas; experience reviewing and approving deliverables beyond immediate specialty
• Experience as Lead Engineer, Discipline Lead, Design Manager or Technical Authority on multidisciplinary projects
• Strong knowledge of governance, design assurance, quality management, Safety in Design and CDM Regulations
• Experience across feasibility, concept, FEED, detailed design, construction and commissioning support
• Proven ability to lead and develop engineers; recruitment and succession planning
• Ability to plan resources and balance technical risk, programme, cost, quality and capacity
• Commercial awareness and experience contributing to bids, scopes, and change control
• Clear, confident communication with clients, senior leaders and project teams

• Collaborative and inclusive leadership
• Judgement and credibility to challenge design decisions
• Strong communication with clients and teams
• Civil and structural design supervision (steelwork, reinforced and prestressed concrete)
• Foundations and geotechnical interfaces
• Earthworks, drainage, roads, site infrastructure

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