Principal Bridge Engineer

Principal Bridge Engineer

Location: Inverness / Stepps / Perth
Category: Engineering / Bridges / Management Contract Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Working Pattern: Monday – Friday
Working Style: Hybrid (Office & Remote) Travel to Inverness required a few times per month

BEAR Scotland is a leading provider of Highway Maintenance services across Scotland. We manage and maintain over 2,000km of Scotland’s trunk road network, Including over 1500 trunk road structures in the North West of Scotland.

The major bridges in the North West Unit cover a wide variety of iconic and historic bridges including the cable stayed Kessock Bridge in Inverness, Connel Bridge, Ballachullish Bridge, the Cromarty and Dornoch Firth Viaducts and Skye Bridge. They also include four moveable swing bridges where the trunk road crosses the Caledonian Canal.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Bridge Engineer to join our Major Bridges Team, taking a leading role in the management, maintenance, and improvement of complex bridge structures.

This role is ideal for:

• An experienced Chartered Bridge Engineer seeking a senior leadership position
• A Senior Engineer ready to step into a Principal role

Responsibilities:

• Support the Bridge Manager in leading and developing a high-performing design and inspection team
• Lead the investigation, assessment, and delivery of maintenance and improvement schemes for major bridge structures
• Oversee outline and detailed design, including technical approval and certification
• Manage consultants, contractors, and internal teams to deliver schemes safely and efficiently
• Ensure compliance with design standards, including managing Departures from Standard where required
• Prepare and review tender documentation and support procurement activities
• Oversee project delivery, including programme, budget, and quality management
• Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality standards within BEAR’s integrated management system
• Fulfil CDM duties, including Principal Designer responsibilities where required
• Liaise with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies
• Ensure appropriate environmental assessments and mitigation measures are implemented

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

• Degree in Civil Engineering (or related discipline)
• Chartered Engineer (CEng MICE or equivalent)
• Significant experience in the Design, Assessment and maintenance of bridge Structures
• Experience with moveable bridges or complex structgures (desirable)
• Knowledge of Mechanical & Electrical Systems with Bridge Infrastructure (Desirable)
• Experience operating in a multi-disciplinary engineering environment (Desirable)
• Proven Experience managing projects and technical teams
• Strong understanding of relevant standards (eg DMRB)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• A Full UK Driving Licence

While the role has oversight of Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) elements—particularly relating to moveable bridges—the primary focus is on bridge engineering leadership. You will lead the identification, investigation, design, and delivery of maintenance and improvement schemes, managing a multi-disciplinary team and supply chain.

Why BEAR?

At the heart of our organisation are our people — talented, dedicated professionals who help drive our success. We’re committed to creating a positive, supportive working environment where everyone can grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.

We invest in our teams by offering a wide range of internal and external training opportunities and encouraging continuous professional development at every career stage.

If you’re passionate about delivering the best for clients, enjoy working collaboratively, and hold yourself to high ethical standards, you’ll be a great fit for our team.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Pension scheme with up to 6% employer match
• Employee benefits, including annual leave purchase, Cycle to Work scheme, and an Employee Assistance Programme

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to fairness, inclusion, and diversity across our business.

Want to find out a bit more before applying? We’d be delighted to have an informal chat about the role. Just get in touch and we’ll arrange a convenient time to speak. Please email us on recruitment@bearscotland.co.uk

Join us and be part of a company that supports your development, values your contribution, and inspires you to do your best work.