Structural Technology Engineering Lead in Watford, United Kingdom

Help BRE make buildings safer and more sustainable!

BRE aims to be the world’s leading innovation, science and data hub for the built environment. For more than a century, we have provided government and industry with cutting-edge research and testing. Join us to help deliver products, advice, services, standards and qualifications used around the globe to make buildings better for people and the environment. Through science-led solutions to urgent challenges, we will build a thriving and sustainable world.

Your role at BRE

This is a rare opportunity to combine deep technical expertise with strategic influence, working at the forefront of research, standards, and real-world application. If you’re passionate about engineering excellence and want your work to make a genuine impact, we’d love to hear from you.

The Lead Structural Engineer provides technical leadership for structural engineering activities within BRE’s Structural team, delivering high-quality engineering, testing, and assurance services that support business growth and industry impact.

Key Responsibilities and Tasks

• Lead and manage the Structural Technology team, ensuring the effective deployment of people, facilities, and resources to deliver business objectives, revenue targets, and sustainable growth.

• Provide technical leadership across structural engineering projects, ensuring the successful delivery of testing, assessment, inspection, and consultancy services to agreed quality, safety, and commercial objectives.

• Drive business development and market growth by identifying new opportunities, developing business relationships.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, regulators, industry bodies, and key stakeholders, enhancing BRE's reputation while upholding independence, integrity, and impartiality.

• Represent BRE externally through networking, industry events, conferences, and trade shows, developing strategic partnerships and generating new commercial opportunities.

• Lead client engagement activities, developing a detailed understanding of customer requirements, preparing high-quality technical proposals and reports, and providing expert advice on complex structural engineering challenges.

• Apply advanced knowledge of structural engineering principles, static and dynamic mechanics, and relevant British and European Standards to develop test programmes, assess structural performance, and provide technically robust solutions.

• Utilise expertise in structural design, fire-resistant design to BS EN standards, building inspections, and the assessment of current and historic UK construction methods to support a diverse range of projects.

• Foster strong collaboration across Structural Technology, Structural Fire, Product Testing, and wider BRE teams to ensure efficient project delivery, knowledge sharing, and alignment with organisational priorities.

• Ensure all laboratory and site-based activities are conducted safely, consistently, and in accordance with quality procedures and applicable standards.

• Build team capability through mentoring, coaching, performance management, and the promotion of a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on continuous improvement and technical excellence.
  What we are looking for

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is a must.

• Proven capability in leading and managing complex structural engineering activities and technical services

• Strong working knowledge of BS and EN codes and standards, and their application to structural design and test regimes

• Demonstrated understanding of static and dynamic structural behaviour and engineering mechanics

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, technicians, and laboratory staff

• Ability to develop and review high-quality technical proposals, reports, and inspection documentation

• Experience contributing technical input to business development, client engagement, and external representation

• Knowledge of UK construction methods, materials, and historic and modern construction forms

• Experience with structural fire design and assessment in accordance with relevant standards

• Proficiency in relevant engineering and reporting tools, including AutoCAD and standard Microsoft applications

• FEA modelling

• Commercial awareness, with experience contributing to income generation and workload throughput

• Ability to support the technical reputation and profile of BRE and its Structural Technology capabilities

BRE Benefits

At BRE, we offer a competitive salary, reviewed annually, along with a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your financial security, well-being, and career development.

Financial & Security Benefits

• Pension scheme – 5% employer-matched contribution

• Life assurance – 4x your basic salary

• Enhanced maternity package

Health & Wellbeing

• HealthPartners cashback scheme – Reclaim costs on prescriptions, physiotherapy, dental care, and more

• Onsite facilities – Restaurant, nursery, and free parking, including at-cost EV charging points

Career Development

• Learning & development – Free access to BRE Academy and our online learning platform

• Professional membership reimbursement

For full details on our benefits, visit: BRE Employee Benefit

Work Location Options

Onsite - You will be expected to attend our Watford-based office and Science Park 4-5 times a week.

Note to Employment Agencies

At BRE, we value the relationships we have built with our preferred recruitment partners. We do not accept unsolicited CVs from employment agencies. Any CVs submitted directly to a BRE employee or hiring manager without a signed BRE Employment Agency Agreement and an active engagement for the specific role will be considered unsolicited. In such cases, no fees will be payable should the candidate be hired through this or any other means.

Equal Opportunities Statement

BRE is an equal opportunities employer. We assess all qualified applicants based on merit and do not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics.