Principal Temporary Works Engineer
Greater London, London, Greater London, W1B, England, UK
Listed on 2026-02-28
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Engineering
Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineer, Structural Engineer
Job Description
Due to sustained and increased secured demand across multiple clients and projects (CMDP, Thames Water, UU, Trawsfynydd, Heathrow, M60 Simister Island). We are expanding our engineering team for UK projects and are seeking a Principal Engineer with significant temporary works experience on complex delivery projects.
This role is home-based, but you will be expected to attend the Costain Offices, with an expectation of working in the office up to three days per week (London, Maidenhead or Worle). Our informal dynamic working policy allows all employees to discuss and agree on flexibility regarding where, when, and how they work, based on individual preferences and the requirements of the role, client, business, and team.
Short-term travel to company, supplier, or client offices or sites for business purposes may be required.
Key Responsibilities
As a Principal Engineer you will be a member of a Temporary Works Engineering and Design Team supervising and carrying out civil and structural engineering designs for a variety of projects and proposals, that include:
- Formwork/falsework
- Scaffolding
- Ground shoring /retaining walls / slope stability
- Deep and shallow foundations
- Hoarding and fencing
- Working platforms
- Demolition
- Construction Methodology / buildability assessments
- Concrete structures
- Steel structures
- The work is required across several sectors:
Highways, Rail, Water, Power, Nuclear and Defence. - Principal Accountabilities
- Preparation of design documentation as requested by Lead Engineers.
- Be responsible for the supervision, preparation, checking and approval of design work in accordance with Company Procedures.
- Ensure that the project discipline engineering activities are executed within budget and schedule, while maintaining technical integrity.
- Ensure work is carried out in accordance with relevant codes, standards and procedures.
- Maintain and develop current awareness of relevant codes and standards.
- Mentoring/coaching and the development of junior members of the team
- Implement company, and where applicable, client/project policies and procedures.
- Remain abreast of legislative requirements.
- Make short term visits to sites and offices in the UK and overseas, to support project and proposal's needs, for Client liaison, Statutory Undertakers, Building Control, site surveys, third party engineering and design supervision, construction supervision, etc.
- Be fully aware of legal and organisational responsibilities regarding Health, Safety and Environmental issues with respect to Employees, Contractors, Clients and third parties, ensuring that activities are managed in accordance with Company Policy and Client requirements.
- Note:
In the above descriptions the term ‘design' is used in its broadest sense and covers design calculations, specifications, equipment selection, material selection, contract documentation and enquiry requisition / bid review / purchase requisition for subcontracted construction and fabrication work, and approval of subcontractors and suppliers' documentation.
- Significant experience in Temporary works design/checking.
- Understanding of site construction methods
- Thorough knowledge of the major project delivery process from work winning to project handover.
- Knowledge and understanding of UK technical and regulatory standards and global best practice.
- Strong process safety, quality and environmental leadership focus.
- Significant knowledge and understanding of Project Controls, including Schedule, Cost, Risk and Change Management.
- Collaborative, innovative and agile.
- Experienced customer facing capability with an ability to develop and influence relationships
- Strong interpersonal skills and an effective communicator (written & verbal)
- Must be able to work from any Costain Office Mobility to travel to costain/client offices, project sites and suppliers, when required
- Experience in the requirements for CE marking of plant and equipment
- Strong engineering and business system/software skills
- Civils, Structures and Infrastructure knowledge
- Nuclear, Chemical or similar process industry sectors
- Chartered Engineer and Membership of a professional engineering institution
- Honours Degree or equivalent qualification in an engineering related subject.
- Able to achieve SC clearance
- Chartered Engineer and Membership of a professional engineering institution
- Association for Project Management qualification/accreditation
Costain helps to improve people's lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK's energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK's leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major…
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