Principal Ports Engineer - Defence

Principal Ports Engineer - Defence

Location/s: Bristol, Croydon, Liverpool, Newcastle, Southampton, UK
Recruiter contact: Ainsley Anstess

Mott Mac Donald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee‑owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued.

Whatever your ambition, Mott Mac Donald is where people come to be brilliant.

We help conceive, drive, and implement transport solutions for cities, regions, and asset owners/operators around the globe. From preparing the business case and advising on related issues – such as revenue, procurement, and environmental legislation – to delivering the completed infrastructure and helping maintain it. Our planning, engineering, environmental and management skills cover the whole project cycle. We play a major role in developing and delivering the Global Transport Sector Strategy.

We are looking to appoint a Principal Ports Engineer with Defence experience who will join the Ports Coastal and Offshore (PCO) Team within our Aviation, Maritime and Offshore (AMO) Division. Mott Mac Donald’s teams support a wide range of clients including the UK Ministry of Defence, NATO, and international partners across land, air, maritime, and nuclear domains. Recent projects include the modernisation of submarine facilities at Devonport and Clyde, and support for the AUKUS submarine partnership.

You will use your high standard of technical capability to deliver projects within the maritime sector, and guide and develop other members of the team on technical aspects of projects, particularly with respect to maritime defence sector opportunities.

You will primarily be involved in leading technical infrastructure design projects for dockyards, shipyards and ports, including docks, jetties, dolphins, quay structures, dredging, breakwaters and revetments.

You will collaborate with colleagues in a constructive manner on projects, sharing knowledge freely and work constructively to bring projects to a successful outcome to meet or exceed targeted profit, deadlines and output quality.

You will contribute to bidding and winning work, using your knowledge of clients and your understanding of the technical requirements and risks associated with the prospects.

You will also be able to demonstrate the following:

• A degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (or equivalent)
• Chartered with a relevant professional institution (or equivalent)
• Experience working in and around multi-disciplinary projects, ideally within Ports, Coastal or Offshore environments
• Familiarity with industry codes & standards
• Strong communication, team working and problem‑solving skills

It is available as part time, job share or full time. Due to the nature of our work, you will be willing to travel overseas for project assignments when required. Offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

Mott Mac Donald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as…