Job Description

Overview

Apply Your Expertise To One of the Industry's Most Significant Nuclear and Defence Portfolios 

The Design & Advanced Technology (D&AT) Practice of AtkinsRéalis is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior / Principal Structural Engineer to support the continued growth of our Nuclear & Defence business. This is an opportunity to contribute to the future of critical national infrastructure, working on some of the UK's most significant nuclear and defence programmes while helping to develop innovative structural engineering solutions for complex and safety-critical facilities. 

The successful candidate will play a leading role in the delivery of challenging heavy civil structures projects, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across the full project lifecycle. You will support the development of strong client relationships with organisations including EDF, the Ministry of Defence, Rolls-Royce SMR, CANDU, BAE Systems, and others in the UK and internationally, helping to deliver technical excellence on projects that shape the future of the sector. 

A key aspect of this role will be the delivery and checking of structural engineering solutions for complex reinforced concrete and steel structures within highly regulated environments. You will provide technical guidance to project teams, contribute to the development of innovative engineering approaches, and support the mentoring and development of junior engineers across the practice. 

This opportunity is ideally suited to an experienced structural engineer with a strong technical background in heavy civil structures and a proven track record of delivering complex engineering projects. You will be looking to further develop your technical expertise and influence while working on nationally significant programmes within a collaborative and growing team. 

You'll benefit from: 

• Play a key role in the UK's nuclear renaissance, supporting major new build programmes and emerging nuclear technologies.  

• Work on some of the UK's most complex and high-profile nuclear and defence infrastructure projects.  

• Collaborate with an industry-leading structural engineering team and recognised technical specialists.  

• Develop your expertise in the design and assessment of safety-critical heavy civil structures.  

• Build trusted relationships with leading nuclear and defence clients while delivering landmark projects.  

• Access clear career progression opportunities across technical, managerial, and leadership pathways. 

We offer hybrid working which involves 3 days per week being office/site based. This position can be based from any of our major offices of London Nova, Epsom, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Glasgow, or Belfast.   

Your role 

The role offers broad project exposure, technical development, and clear opportunities for progression within a collaborative and growing team. 

You will: 

• Lead and coordinate teams of structural engineers in the delivery of complex work packages across major nuclear and defence projects, ensuring safe, high-quality, and timely delivery.  

• Provide technical leadership for the design of heavy civil structures, including reinforced concrete, structural steel, foundations, and underground structures, in accordance with relevant codes, standards, and client requirements.  

• Produce, review, and oversee the delivery of technical outputs, including calculations, reports, specifications, and drawings.  

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, project managers, and international delivery centres to develop and deliver integrated engineering solutions.  

• Apply sound engineering judgement to resolve complex technical challenges and support informed decision-making throughout project delivery.  

• Mentor and support the development of engineers and graduates, fostering technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous professional growth.  

• Build strong working relationships with clients and key project stakeholders, contributing to successful project outcomes and long-term client confidence. 

About you 

We're interested in people who are technically strong, commercially aware and genuinely enjoy collaborative working. 

We are looking for people who demonstrate a willingness to learn, a proactive approach to problem solving, and the ability to work collaboratively within diverse project teams. 

You’ll ideally bring: 

• Degree qualified in Civil or Structural Engineering (or equivalent), with Chartered Engineer status through ICE, IStructE, or a similar professional institution.  

• Proven experience in the design and delivery of heavy civil structures within the nuclear, defence, or other highly regulated sectors.  

• Strong technical expertise in reinforced concrete, structural steel, foundations, and/or underground structures, with a sound understanding of relevant design codes and standards.  

• Experience leading and coordinating teams to deliver complex structural engineering work packages on multidisciplinary projects.  

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with clients, project teams, and international delivery centres.  

• Demonstrates sound engineering judgement, accountability, and problem-solving skills when addressing complex technical challenges.  

• A collaborative communicator who supports the development of junior engineers and contributes to a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement. 

 Meet some but not all of the criteria or coming back from a career break? We’d still love to hear from you! Please submit your CV along with a cover letter letting us know your motivation for applying and highlighting how your skills and experience align with the role. 

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.  If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance. 

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.

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Worker Type

Job Type

At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.