Civil & Structural Specialist Lead

The Generation Engineering Delivery department within ESB Engineering and Major Projects leads project engineering support to ESB’s generation business. The Civil and Structural team delivers specialist civil and structural engineering services across a wide range of electricity infrastructure projects, supporting ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 strategy through the decarbonisation of electricity, the delivery of resilient electricity infrastructure, and the empowerment of customers and broader society to live more sustainably. 

The portfolio of work associated with this role includes renewable-enabling projects such as long-duration energy storage and hydrogen production facilities, flexible thermal generation stations, and the redevelopment of existing brownfield generation sites, including associated enabling works and demolition-related activities where required. 

The projects are located across new development sites, existing operational sites and redundant brownfield generation sites, requiring strong technical leadership, effective interface management and practical engineering judgement in complex project environments. 

The Civil and Structural Specialist Lead roles will provide professional services and technical input to project works packages, leading the development and delivery of civil and structural engineering solutions from feasibility through to construction and handover. The roles will also provide technical leadership across the team and may include line management of engineers. 

Key Responsibilities  

• Lead the provision of civil and structural engineering services and expertise through the full project lifecycle, including feasibility, concept and site layout development, tender and detailed design, construction, and handover. 

• Lead the coordination of multidisciplinary site investigations, specialist surveys and related assessments required to inform the development and delivery of civil and structural engineering solutions. 

• Act as a subject matter expert and key influencer in the provision of civil and structural engineering technical services, including technical review of contractor and specialist designs, proposals and submissions. 

• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and support to junior engineers and other team members, contributing to the development of capability across the team. 

• Lead the preparation of tender enquiry packages, manage tender evaluation and negotiation, and lead the contract management of large civil engineering contracts. 

• Manage and co-ordinate all relevant interfaces, both within ESB and with external stakeholders, required to successfully deliver projects to approved scope, budget and programme. 

• Ensure a consistent high standard of output which meets all technical, commercial, safety, programme and customer requirements. 

• Promote and lead the safety management culture across all activities by taking ownership and demonstrating visible commitment to safety. 

Note: One successful candidate may be assigned line management responsibility for a team of engineers and will be expected to support performance, development and workload management within the team 

Experience and Qualifications  

Essential 

• Level 8 Engineering Degree or equivalent qualification. 

• Minimum 7 years relevant post qualification experience.  

• Chartered status with a recognised professional engineering institution. 

• A high level of specialist expertise, including strong technical capability across the civil and structural engineering services sector, with a proven track record in delivering significant projects. 

• Strong communication and report writing skills, with proven ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Strong critical thinking, decision-making and judgement, with the ability to identify and successfully manage significant civil engineering risks on projects. 

• Strong ability to identify project work requirements and priorities, define scopes of service and required resources, manage specialist and consultant inputs, and take a proactive, solution-focused approach to initiating, planning and implementing required work packages with limited oversight. 

• Full driving licence and access to a car for travel to project locations as required. 

Desirable  

• Demonstrable technical expertise in civil and structural engineering design of significant and complex structures, structural condition assessment, repair and reinstatement. 

• Experience in the use of FIDIC Conditions of Contract, including EPC, D&B Contracting and Multi Direct Contracting of large projects. 

• Experience in managing site investigations, specialist surveys and related assessments, and in supporting brownfield redevelopment, enabling works or demolition-related activities. 

• Experience in the management of a team of professionals and consultants.