Senior Structural Engineer (Bridges) – Connect Plus Services | M25 Network | Leatherhead / South Mimms / Dartford | Highways Infrastructure

About the Role

At Connect Plus Services, we manage and maintain the strategic infrastructure of the M25 motorway, one of the busiest and most complex road networks in Europe. Working in partnership with Connect Plus and National Highways, we are responsible for maintaining and improving critical infrastructure assets to ensure the network remains safe, reliable and efficient for the millions of drivers who use it every day.

We are looking for a Senior Structural Engineer (Bridges) to join our Engineering Design Team. In this role, you will take a leading position in the structural assessment, design review and strengthening of bridges and other highway structures across the M25 network. You will oversee technical delivery from external framework consultants while supporting the development of in‑house capability, ensuring that all designs meet required standards, programme expectations and budget constraints.

You will work closely with internal teams—including Asset Management, Project Management and Construction—as well as external partners such as National Highways and design consultants, helping to deliver safe, efficient and innovative engineering solutions for complex structures across the network.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading the structural assessment of substandard structures such as bridges and viaducts, prioritising assets for assessment and overseeing the design and delivery of strengthening schemes.
• Reviewing and assuring structural design proposals from framework contractors and external consultants, ensuring all submissions meet National Highways standards and DBFO contractual requirements.
• Managing the delivery of design work from both external consultants and internal design resources, ensuring projects are delivered to agreed scope, programme and budget.
• Supervising and mentoring engineers within the structures design team, supporting skills development and engineering capability across the business.
• Working closely with project managers and asset teams to support the development and delivery of asset‑management forward plans.
• Identifying cost‑effective engineering solutions that enhance the life and performance of M25 structures including bridges, culverts, tunnels and retaining walls.
• Carrying out optioneering, feasibility studies and whole‑life costing activities to determine the most appropriate engineering solutions.
• Leading design review processes, contributing to gateway reviews and ensuring that all structural designs comply with DMRB, Eurocodes and MCHW.
• Maintaining strong working relationships with National Highways and other stakeholders, promoting innovation, continuous improvement and best practice in engineering delivery.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking an experienced structural engineer with strong knowledge of bridge design and assessment within the highways environment. You should have:

• A relevant engineering qualification (BEng, MEng, HNC, HND or equivalent).
• Strong technical knowledge of structural analysis and design standards relevant to highway structures.
• Experience managing or coordinating structural design work, including oversight of consultant deliverables and design packages in a multidisciplinary setting.
• A solid understanding of health and safety legislation, particularly CDM regulations and Designer duties.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams, external consultants and clients.

Membership of a professional institution such as ICE or IStructE—or active progress towards IEng or CEng status—would be an advantage.