Principal Engineer - Bridges & Infrastructure

We are looking for a Principal Structural Engineer to lead the delivery of a project portfolio and contribute to VEDA’s continued expansion in Poland.

At VEDA Associates, we design, assess and strengthen bridges and infrastructure. Our established teams in Poland and the UK work together on projects ranging from bridge replacements and strengthening schemes to assessments of existing structures and temporary works.

This is a senior role combining technical leadership, project and commercial management, and the development of people. Alongside overseeing project delivery, you will support the day-to-day management of the office, help build team capability and contribute to recruitment, client relationships and business growth.

Your background may be in bridges, buildings or other structural engineering disciplines. We are looking for strong first-principles engineering knowledge, sound commercial judgement and demonstrated experience managing projects and teams.

Working closely with the Director and colleagues in Poland and the UK, you will:

• Support the Director in managing the Kraków office, translating business priorities into resource plans, project commitments and team objectives.
• Manage a portfolio of projects, taking responsibility for technical quality, programme, resources and commercial performance.
• Coordinate workload across the team, balancing project demands, staff capability and capacity, and anticipating future resource needs.
• Oversee Project Leads, providing direction and resolving issues that affect delivery across the portfolio.
• Lead projects from scope definition and fee preparation through to detailed design and construction support.
• Monitor project budgets, progress, profitability and forecast costs to completion, taking timely action where performance falls short.
• Manage changes in scope, ensuring additional work and its impact on fees and programmes are identified and agreed.
• Provide technical leadership, guiding design approaches and reviewing calculations, reports and drawings within your areas of competence.
• Develop engineers and technicians through mentoring, clear delegation, regular feedback and support for progression into greater responsibility.
• Support recruitment and the integration of new colleagues as the team grows.
• Build and maintain client relationships, contribute to bids and proposals, and help identify and develop opportunities for VEDA in Poland.
• Maintain consistent engineering and quality standards across projects and support effective collaboration between our Polish and UK offices.

• A degree in civil or structural engineering and substantial relevant experience at a senior level.
• Strong understanding of structural behaviour, load paths and design from first principles.
• Experience designing steel and reinforced concrete structures to Eurocodes, supported by sound judgement in the use and review of structural analysis software.
• A proven record of managing a portfolio of projects, including competing priorities, resource allocation, budgets and delivery commitments.
• Commercial awareness and experience preparing fees, managing scope and monitoring project financial performance.
• Experience managing and developing teams, including supporting other engineers in project leadership roles.
• The ability to remain technically involved while delegating effectively and maintaining oversight.
• Confidence working with clients, contributing to business development and supporting decisions about team and business growth.
• A collaborative, accountable approach, with the judgement to resolve issues independently and recognise when Director input is needed.
• English sufficient to lead technical and commercial discussions, coordinate with UK colleagues and review project documentation.

Chartered status with ICE or IStructE, or an equivalent professional qualification, would be a necessity.

Previous bridge or UK rail experience is welcome, but is not essential.

• A competitive salary reflecting the seniority and responsibilities of the role.
• Hybrid working from our established Kraków office.
• A senior position working closely with the Director, with influence over office operations, team development and business growth.
• Responsibility for a varied portfolio of UK bridge and infrastructure projects.
• The opportunity to contribute to VEDA’s expansion in Poland, with scope for your responsibilities to grow alongside the business.
• Close collaboration with experienced colleagues across Poland and the UK.
• Private healthcare through Medicover.
• A MultiSport card.

We welcome applications from experienced structural engineers looking to combine technical leadership with a broader role in managing and developing an engineering business.