Principal Design Engineer – Civils & Structures
Location: York
Sector: Rail ¦ Civils & Structures
Join Our Team as a Principal Design Engineer in Rail & Civil Engineering
An exciting opportunity to become a key member of our established and dynamic in-house design team, specialising in civil and structural engineering projects within the rail sector.
About The Business Unit
Having secured numerous long-term Framework Agreements with major clients, AmcoGiffen is expanding its in-house Civil & Structural Design team. We are seeking talented professionals at various levels who are committed to delivering innovative, efficient design solutions, building on their experience, and advancing their careers.
Our design team comprises specialists at different levels of expertise responsible for civil, rail, and structural engineering projects across a range of frameworks, including CP7, asset management contracts, infrastructure upgrades, and tendered schemes.
Projects typically include:
- Bridge reconstruction and replacement
- Infrastructure upgrades and refurbishments
- Station improvements (platforms, access, etc.)
- Structures such as bridges, tunnels, and footbridges
The Role
We are looking for a Principal Design Engineer to lead and support our in-house design team in delivering civils and structures design, across multiple long-term frameworks with key leading clients.
In this leadership role, you will oversee technical engineering solutions, programme management, resource planning, and budget control. You will also be responsible for client satisfaction, project reviews, mentorship, and recruitment.
Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:
- Providing expert technical guidance and leadership on engineering solutions
- Ensuring compliance with CDM Regulations and safety standards
- Developing project briefs and driving innovative engineering solutions from concept through detailed design
- Establishing design philosophies and ensuring proper documentation
- Holding the Construction (Design and Management) Coordinator (CDM) role on Network Rail schemes across diverse projects
- Reviewing and approving design deliverables, including Risk Assessments and Decision Logs
- Representing the team at meetings with clients and stakeholders
- Managing project delivery within budget, time, and quality targets
- Leading, motivating, and developing team members, including performance reviews and mentoring
- Collaborating with the Head of Design to support departmental management
- Promoting a culture of excellence and innovation within AmcoGiffen’s Design & Engineering functions
What We’re Looking For
To succeed in this role, you will have proven experience as a Lead or Principal Design Engineer within a rail and/or civil engineering environment.
- Minimum BEng / BSc Degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
- Chartered Member of a relevant professional body (e.g., ICE, IStructE)
- Sentinel Personal Track Safety (PTS) competence in both AC and DC systems
- Extensive civil engineering design experience, including bridges, structures, stations, and platforms
- Experience working in client, contractor, or consultancy contexts within rail or civil & structural engineering
What We Offer - Competitive salary, negotiable based on experience
- Company car or car allowance* (if applicable)
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with increments based on service)
- Plus 3 charity days per year
- A day off when your child starts school
- A day for relocating home
- Company contributory pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Westfield Health Cash Plan & Rewards
- Supportive environment for personal and professional growth, with pathways for career development
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
- A safe, inclusive workplace
- Employee forums and channels to ensure your voice is heard
Join us and be part of a team committed to delivering innovative infrastructure solutions while fostering an inclusive, respectful environment where everyone can thrive.
The Company
Why AmcoGiffen?
You will be joining a reputable and firmly established, engineering contractor operating nationally in rail, civils and engineering markets. AmcoGiffen are renowned in the market as a specialist civil, building, mechanical and electrical renewals and maintenance business with ongoing and successful projects and frameworks across the country, you will become part of our expert outfit.
AmcoGiffen has a wealth of experience working on sensitive, live assets in highly regulated environments, we deliver exceptional peace of mind for our customers, creating and maintaining assets across a growing range of high-quality public and private sectors. These include rail, power generation, electricity distribution, flood defence, aviation, waterways and much more.
Diversity & Inclusion at AmcoGiffen
We value collective expertise, but also the spark that one person can bring. As one of us, you can be you, because your individuality is an asset to our business and the communities in which we work and represent.
We are working hard as part of the civil engineering and construction industry, to improve diversity & inclusion. Our Diversity and inclusion journey at AmcoGiffen, is constantly evolving and is designed to break down barriers and promote the principles of a diverse workforce through multiple channels. This includes delivering training, raising awareness, regular forums and sharing our engagement calendar of activities and events to encourage participation at all levels throughout our organisation.
Diversity & Inclusion is embodied throughout our SPIRIT core Business values and lies at the heart of our culture of Safety, Professionalism, Innovation, Respect, Integrity and Teamwork.
AmcoGiffen is an Equal Opportunities Employer, offering challenging, worthwhile careers to everyone and is pro-actively committed to improving our understanding year on year to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for all employees as well as for the customers and communities in which we serve and operate within. It doesn’t matter to us what your age, disability, employment status, gender, health, marital status, sexual preference, membership or non-membership of a trade union, nationality, race, religion or social class are, or indeed any other personal characteristics not directly related to the relevant job. Anyone who meets the requirements of the job is eligible for employment with AmcoGiffen.
Health & Wellbeing
Operating from a people first perspective we support safety and wellbeing in the workplace as a priority. We have large number of colleagues that are trained and qualified mental health first aiders to support and listen where appropriate. We enrol all of the AmcoGiffen family onto an employee assistance programme which provides 24 hour, 7 days a week counselling and advice services.
Is AmcoGiffen your next career challenge? If so, apply now!
For more information or to arrange a private and confidential discussion about AmcoGiffen career opportunities, please contact our Recruitment Team:
[email protected]
Recruitment Manager
