Associate or Principal Engineer – Rail, Bridges & Civil Structures

This role is offered by Crouch Waterfall, a subsidiary of Vulcain Engineering Group.

As part of the Vulcain family, Crouch Waterfall brings decades of specialist experience in Civil, Structural, and Geotechnical Engineering to a wide range of UK infrastructure projects. Crouch Waterfall specialise in core areas of Bridges, Rail, Infrastructure, Buildings and Geotechnical Services, designing and co-ordinating projects from conception to completion. Established since 1981, the business has enjoyed steady growth driven by a committed and highly skilled workforce of 120 employees.

The Position: Associate Engineer, or Principal Engineer

As our Cardiff office continues its expansion, we are seeking an experienced and ambitious Chartered Structural Engineer (MICE or MIStructE) to join us. This is a pivotal leadership role, offering the opportunity to shape project delivery, mentor emerging talent, and play a key part in the continued growth of a thriving regional team.

Reporting directly to the Senior Management Team, you will take technical leadership of a diverse portfolio ranging from small bespoke structures to major projects. Your work will span across rail structures, temporary works, special structures, buildings, and complex assessments.

You will lead, inspire, and develop a growing team of Engineers and Technicians, ensuring the consistent delivery of high-quality technical outputs and acting as a trusted partner to both clients and internal stakeholders.

Some of the main responsibilities of the Principal Engineer or Associate Engineer will include:

• Technical Leadership: Drive the technical delivery of structural projects - encompassing bridges, building structures, structural steelwork, reinforced concrete, and more.
• Team Leadership & Mentoring: Provide guidance, coaching, and oversight for Engineers and Technicians, supporting their development and raising the bar on technical excellence.

Design Oversight: Review and verify designs produced by others, including detailed hand calculations and advanced computer‑based analysis.

Site & Structural Assessments: Oversee surveys, inspections, and condition assessments, producing clear, high‑quality technical reports.

Project & Resource Management: Lead programming, resource planning, and workload management in collaboration with senior leadership.

Client Engagement: Work closely with clients to confirm scope, manage expectations, and uphold a high standard of delivery.

Business Development: Contribute to fee proposals, bids, and tenders, and help cultivate new and existing client relationships.

Our Cardiff Team: Recent Highlights:

The Cardiff Team Has Grown To Fifteen Specialists - Reflecting Strong Demand And Exceptional Project Delivery. Our Engineers Have Contributed To Landmark And Technically Ambitious Schemes Including

• The Principality Stadium Roof Walk experience
• Tidal Defence Gate design for Truro
• A 50m steel access tower for the Sudbrook tunnel shaft (River Severn)
• Footbridge designs including Devils Footbridge and Seven Sisters Footbridge
• The refurbishment of listed structures such as Llanbradach Station Footbridge
• Temporary and scaffold works design for Hinkley Point C
• Structural assessments and complex designs in brickwork, concrete, timber, and GRP
  
  

This role offers the chance to work on high‑visibility projects while helping to steer the strategic direction of a rapidly expanding office.

• Strong track record in the design of bridges, structural steelwork, and reinforced concrete structures.
• Significant experience delivering structural projects within rail, nuclear, heavy industrial or major infrastructure sectors.
• Previous experience leading engineering teams, including line management and mentoring responsibilities / Evidence of leading technical scopes, whether through project leadership or mentoring others.

Experience acting as a Technical Lead, Principal Engineer or Associate with responsibility for design quality and technical assurance.

Strong background in structural steel, reinforced concrete and infrastructure structures.

Confident in client‑facing environments; excellent communication skills. / Client-facing experience, including scope management, stakeholder engagement and project delivery.

Fluent in English with permanent right to work in the UK and UK project experience.

Chartered Engineer (MICE or MIStructE).

Broad technical expertise across assessment, inspection, analysis, and new‑build design.

Proficient in structural engineering software such as Tedds, Robot, and/or Midas; experience with 3D modelling environments is beneficial.

Experience in bridge design and/or temporary works advantageous; wider structural backgrounds welcomed.

Prior exposure to the UK rail sector is prefered, though engineers from buildings or other infrastructure sectors are encouraged to apply.

Ideally, experience supporting bids, fee proposals, resource planning and business development.

Why Join Us?

At Crouch Waterfall, we’re committed to investing in our people through tailored training, mentoring, and real opportunities for progression. Whether you're aiming for Chartership, developing leadership skills, or looking for broader commercial exposure - we’ll support your growth every step of the way.

You’ll be part of supportive team with an open-door culture, where your voice is heard and your ideas matter. We offer the chance to work across sectors - with proven success helping engineers move from buildings and commercial projects into infrastructure and heavy industry.

With a strong presence in the rail and construction sectors, and as part of the wider Vulcain Engineering Group, you'll benefit from international connections, long-term stability, and a truly collaborative culture.

Remuneration & Benefits

We offer a competitive salary tailored to your experience and background. Whether you're earlier in your career or bring more senior-level expertise, we encourage you to apply if this role aligns with your skills, or if you're open to discussing other opportunities within this discipline.

Benefits

We also offer a benefits package, both standard and enhanced, which is designed to support your wellbeing, development, and financial future, including:

• Hybrid working set-up, with flexible working hours.
• Casual office attire and a relaxed and comfortable working environment
• Minimum 25 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, plus a day off on your Birthday
• Additional leave purchase scheme
• Annual discretionary bonus scheme
• Private medical Insurance
• Contributory Pension Scheme, up to 5%
• Cycle to work scheme
  
  

Crouch Waterfall is committed to valuing our diversity and eliminating discrimination. All our employees have an equal chance of advancement based upon merit, access to opportunities, and the training necessary to that end irrespective of your sex, race, colour, religion, sexual orientation, gender re-assignment, disability unrelated to the ability to carry out the job, or age.

We appreciate every application. However, due to the volume we receive, we’re only able to contact candidates who are shortlisted for this role or who may be a strong fit for future opportunities.

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