Principal Maritime Civil Engineer
Principal Maritime Civil Engineer
Location: Port Solent (Full-time, minimum 3 days/week office-based)
Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience
Benefits: 25 days annual leave + 3 discretionary Christmas shutdown days, Pension Contributions, Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover
About the Opportunity
This isn’t a role where you inherit someone’s desk and quietly pick up where they left off.
We are a fast-growing, specialist maritime civil engineering consultancy working across marinas, harbours, ports, and waterfront infrastructure internationally. We’re looking for a Principal Maritime Civil Engineer who wants to take the lead, shape the direction of our marine capability, and grow as part of a dynamic, ambitious team.
If you want bureaucracy, layers of approvals, and repetitive work — this isn’t it.
If you want autonomy, variety, responsibility, and the chance to genuinely influence the future of a growing consultancy — read on.
The Role
As Principal Maritime Civil Engineer, you will lead engineering design, technical delivery, and client-facing work across a diverse portfolio of coastal and marine projects. You’ll drive technical quality, mentor junior engineers, and help expand our maritime offering.
Key Responsibilities
Engineering Design & Technical Delivery
- Lead the design of coastal and maritime infrastructure: pontoons, jetties, quay walls, slipways, berthing facilities, breakwaters, flood defences, and waterfront structures.
- Produce and review engineering drawings, calculations, and detailed design reports.
- Undertake stability, structural, and geotechnical assessments for floating and fixed assets.
- Oversee design risk assessments, technical reviews, and quality assurance processes.
- Champion innovative, practical, and commercially efficient solutions for clients.
Project Leadership
- Manage projects from concept through detailed design, consenting, construction, and handover.
- Be client-facing and contribute to growing our client base.
- Prepare and contribute to tenders, bids, and technical proposals.
- Conduct site inspections, investigations, and construction support visits.
- Monitor progress against programme and budget, proactively managing risks.
- Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients, contractors, and partners.
- Mentor the team and lead continuous improvement initiatives.
Regulatory, Consenting & Environmental Compliance
- Lead or support MMO licence applications and marine consents.
- Ensure all designs meet relevant legislation, standards, and best practice (CDM, BS6349, Eurocodes, PIANC, etc.).
- Contribute to environmental assessments and sustainability-driven design approaches.
- Support and implement ISO 9001 & 14001-aligned management systems and EMS activities.
What We’re Looking For
- Degree-qualified in Civil, Structural, Marine, or Coastal Engineering.
- Chartered with ICE or IStructE.
- Strong experience in maritime or coastal engineering design and delivery.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD and structural analysis software (STRAP, Robot, STAAD, or similar).
- Confident communicator who can work directly with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
- Full UK driving licence and comfortable travelling to sites when required.
Why Join
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This is more than a job — it’s a chance to influence, innovate, and take ownership. You won’t be siloed: design, strategy, client development, site work, and growth initiatives will all be part of your role.
- Shape your role and grow with the consultancy.
- 25 days annual leave + 3 discretionary Christmas shutdown days.
- Pension, life insurance, critical illness cover.
- A fast-paced, ambitious environment where your input really matters.
- The chance to build something meaningful, not just maintain it.
Next Step
If you want responsibility, ownership, and the opportunity to leave your mark on a growing maritime consultancy, we want to hear from you.
Diversity Statement
We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, regardless of race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion.
