Graduate Structural Design Engineer

Job Title: Graduate Structural Design Engineer

Reports To Line & Functional Manager: Lead Structural Design Engineer

Department/Category: Engineering

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• Role Purpose

The role of the Graduate Structural Design Engineer is to support structural engineering and design activities across projects. The role includes structural analysis, design coordination, technical reviews, documentation and construction support, while ensuring the consistent application of agreed procedures, standards and project requirements.

The Graduate Structural Design Engineer will work as part of Kirby’s multi-disciplinary engineering, construction and digital construction teams, with a particular focus on the safe and compliant integration of structural elements supporting MEP installations. Third-party consultants will retain responsibility for design sign-off and Professional Indemnity insurance where required.

• Graduate Structural Design Engineer’s Key Responsibilities

General

• Assist with structural engineering and design activities on assigned projects.
• Support the Lead Structural Design Engineer, project engineering team and structural package owners.
• Follow the design management process, agreed procedures, standard forms and document workflows applicable to the project.
• Work within the limits of competence and seek review and guidance from senior structural engineers where required.

EHS

• Read and understand the project EHS Plan and relevant safe systems of work.
• Apply the principles of prevention and complete design risk assessments as part of structural design activities.
• Identify structural design hazards, communicate residual risks and incorporate safe access, installation, maintenance and replacement considerations into designs.

Procurement

• Assist in the preparation and technical review of scopes of work, drawings, specifications and RFQ documentation for structural works and design services.
• Assist with the technical review of supplier, subcontractor and consultant proposals to confirm alignment with the project scope and design requirements.
• Provide technical input into procurement and design trackers and support the close-out of technical submittals and design deliverables.
• Collaborate with manufacturers and fabricators to confirm the feasibility of structural fabrication, delivery and installation.

Quality

• Use the project documentation workflow for document generation, peer review, submission, re-submission and distribution.
• Review and understand the project Quality Plan, specifications, inspection and testing requirements and applicable local authority requirements.
• Assist in the preparation and review of structural ITPs, checklists and quality records where required.
• Ensure calculations, drawings, schedules and specifications are independently checked and formally approved in accordance with the agreed design process before issue.
• Contribute to the project lessons learned log, including the learning, outcome or mitigation and any cost or programme impact.
• Assist with the compilation of structural handover and O&M information where applicable.

Planning

• Understand the project programme and provide updates on assigned structural design activities.
• Assist in maintaining the structural design deliverables schedule and tracker.
• Advise the Lead Structural Design Engineer and project team of potential delays, dependencies or technical constraints affecting design delivery.

Engineering & Design

• Complete project familiarisation and technical reviews, record review notes and raise design queries or requests for clarification through the agreed project process.
• Review the primary and secondary structural provisions required to support the proposed MEP installation.
• Assist with pre-construction structural assessments and the preparation of Design Review Reports.
• Develop structural analysis models and detailed designs for structural elements in accordance with project specifications and requirements.
• Carry out structural calculations using appropriate engineering principles and software, under the guidance and review of a suitably experienced structural engineer.
• Assess applied loads, load combinations, stability, deflection, vibration, robustness and connection requirements as applicable to the design scope.
• Consider material strength, corrosion resistance, durability, fire performance, constructability and maintainability when developing designs.
• Ensure designs comply with the applicable codes, standards, regulations, project specifications and National Annexes.
• Prepare and review structural drawings, calculations, schedules, specifications and design risk assessments.
• Review coordinated drawings and federated BIM models to confirm structural integration with MEP systems and identify clashes, access constraints and installation risks.
• Assist with the development and tracking of the design responsibility matrix and contractor design portions.
• Assist with design change control, including updating calculations, drawings, design registers and schedules when required.
• Support the review of technical submittals and track structural submissions through the agreed approval process.
• Attend and contribute to engineering, design and coordination meetings when required, record actions and close assigned actions in a timely manner.

• Provide structural engineering support during fabrication and construction, including responses to technical queries and review of proposed changes.
• Address structural design, fabrication or installation issues and develop practical solutions for review and approval.

Communication

• Provide clear updates to the Lead Structural Design Engineer, Line Manager and project team on progress, actions, risks and constraints.
• Contribute to weekly engineering and design reports, trackers and meeting minutes where required.
• Populate the project risk and action logs and promptly highlight structural risks or potential roadblocks.
• Communicate design intent and technical requirements clearly to internal teams, consultants, manufacturers, fabricators and contractors.

Commercial

• Develop an understanding of project commercial fundamentals, including budgets, procurement, programme and change control.
• Support the development of cost-effective structural solutions without compromising safety, compliance, quality or structural integrity.
• Identify potential variations or cost impacts arising from structural design changes and advise the Lead Structural Design Engineer and project team.
• Provide technical information to support the quantity surveyor and project manager in the assessment of structural changes and variations.

Learning & Development / HR

• Attend relevant CPD workshops, training and professional development activities.
• Maintain a development plan and work towards appropriate professional registration with the support of the Functional Manager.
• Attend regular reviews with the Line Manager and Functional Manager to discuss workload, development objectives and KPI progress.
• Contribute to technical alerts, notes and lessons learned as part of continuous improvement.
• Proactively and vigilantly keep information secure and fully comply with the Kirby Information Security Management System (ISMS).
• Demonstrate Kirby’s culture and values in day-to-day work, team interactions and decision-making.

• Line Manager Responsibilities

The Graduate Structural Design Engineer will report to the Line Manager on day-to-day related activities.

The Line Manager will oversee the Graduate Structural Design Engineer’s daily activities, task assignments, performance management, and cultural values alignment. Responsibilities include:

• Ensure that Kirby’s culture and values are consistently demonstrated in day-to-day work, team interactions, and decision-making.
• Providing support and direction on daily and weekly tasks.
• Assigning and reviewing daily/weekly tasks.
• Providing feedback and quality assurance on deliverables.
• Approving leave and timesheets.
• Conducting annual performance reviews in collaboration with the Function Manager.

• Functional Manager Responsibilities

The Function Manager will guide the Graduate Structural Design Engineer’s professional development and alignment with Kirby’s engineering standards. Responsibilities include:

• Supporting training, professional registrations, and continuous learning.
• Leading process improvement initiatives.
• Participating in recruitment and capability development.
• Driving technical excellence and innovation across the engineering function.
• Conducting annual performance reviews.
• Clearly defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), measuring performance, assessing outcomes, and providing structured feedback.
  
  

The above list of tasks, activities, responsibilities and accountabilities is not exclusive or exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post. Job descriptions will be regularly reviewed to ensure they are an accurate representation of the post.