Principal Civil Engineer

Company Description

Assystem is an international company with one mission: accelerate the energy transition around the world.

Every day, our 6,500 switchers located in 12 countries (Europe, Middle East, Pacific Asia & Africa) connect their six thousand billion neurons to tackle the task of the century: switching to low-carbon energy.

We are a collective committed to the actors who are making the energy switch. Sharing our knowledge, expertise and values allows us to innovate and think differently about the energy transition.

Drawing on more than 55 years' experience in highly regulated sectors subject to strict security and safety requirements, we provide our customers with engineering and project management services, as well as digital services and solutions to optimize the performance of complex infrastructure projects throughout their life cycle. The Group is currently ranked third in the world for nuclear engineering.

To ensure a viable, efficient, and reliable energy future for all.

Job Description

Project Lead Engineer

This role focuses on technical leadership and assurance, ensuring engineering designs and construction activities meet required standards for both onshore and marine systems.

🎯 Key Purpose

You’ll lead engineering delivery, ensuring projects are safe, compliant, and aligned with stakeholder and operational requirements.

🛠️ Key Responsibilities

• 👷 Lead multi-disciplinary engineering work packages
• 🧑‍🏫 Guide and support Project Engineers
• 🧭 Deputise for the Engineering Manager when needed
• 🤝 Work with Project Managers, consultants, and contractors
• 💡 Support design decisions & optioneering
• 📄 Develop scopes of work and define requirements
• 🧩 Capture user & stakeholder requirements

📐 Technical & Delivery Duties

• 📊 Review and approve designs, drawings, and documentation
• 🏗️ Ensure designs meet client standards
• ⚠️ Assess risk assessments, method statements & contractor plans
• 🔍 Provide technical oversight during construction/deconstruction
• 🧪 Oversee commissioning/decommissioning activities
• 🧯 Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Environment & Quality (HSEQ)

🤝 Collaboration & Communication

• 🗣️ Liaise with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle
• 🏢 Represent the organisation in meetings and presentations
• 🧑‍💻 Work closely with BIM/CAD teams
• 📍 Attend site in Helensburgh to build strong working relationships

📚 Additional Contributions

• 🎓 Support training and knowledge sharing
• 📦 Assist with project close-out activities

💡 In Short

You’ll act as the technical leader driving engineering quality and delivery, ensuring projects are well-designed, compliant, and successfully executed from concept to completion.

Qualifications

✅ Essential Skills & Experience

• 🎓 Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (or related field)
• 🏗️ Strong civil/structural engineering knowledge
• 🧱 Experience designing & assessing:
  • Steel structures
  • Reinforced concrete structures
• 📐 Knowledge of British Standards & Eurocodes
• ☢️ Understanding of UK nuclear regulations & best practice
• 🔄 Experience across the full engineering lifecycle:
  • Concept design 💡
  • Detailed design 📊
  • Construction 🏗️
• 🚢 Background in heavy industrial and/or maritime structures
• 🧑‍🔧 Experience in the UK nuclear sector (energy or defence), especially:
  • Safety-related structures, systems & components
• 📦 Proven project engineering experience, including:
  • Work package delivery
  • Site integration in regulated environments

⭐ Desirable Skills & Experience

• 🤝 Ability to work independently and within teams
• ⚖️ Strong understanding of compliance in regulated industries
• 📄 Experience writing & reviewing technical documents (reports, calculations, drawings, specs)
• 🗣️ Skilled in stakeholder communication & coordination
• 🦺 Basic health & safety training for site work
• 🎓 Chartered Engineer status (MICE / MIStructE)
• ☢️ Knowledge of:
  • Nuclear safety cases 📋
  • Safety committees / authorisation groups

💡 In Short

They’re looking for a technically strong civil/structural engineer with nuclear experience who can lead complex projects, ensure compliance, and deliver safe, high-quality engineering solutions.

Additional Information

Staff or umbrella contract role

SC Clearance to start

Sole UK nationals only

We are committed to equal treatment of candidates and promote, as well as foster all forms of diversity within our company. We believe that bringing together people with different backgrounds and perspectives is essential for creating innovative and impactful solutions. Skills, talent, and our people’s ability to dare are the only things that matter !. Bring your unique contributions and help us shape the future.