Principal Engineer

Principal Bridge Engineer
Location: Inverness / Stepps
Category: Mechanical Engineering / Bridges
Full Time / Permanent, 40 Hours per week, Monday – Friday, Hybrid Available after 3 months employment
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 within our Major Bridges Team for a Principal Bridge Engineer to manage our M&E team. The M&E team look after the inspection and maintenance of our swing bridges along with moveable elements of other major bridges such as access gantries and sluice gates. The Principal Bridges Engineer will manage the identification, investigation, design, planning, procurement and construction management of inspection and maintenance works.
This position is well‑suited to Principal Engineers seeking their next challenge and the chance to work on some of Scotland’s most iconic structures, as well as Senior Engineers looking to advance their career into a principal‑level role.
The position would suit a chartered Civil Engineer or Mechanical & Electrical Engineer with experience of moveable bridges.
Responsibilities:
* Assist the Bridge Manager with the management and supervision of a design team, sub-consultants and sub-contractors.
* Oversee the outline and detailed design of swing bridge maintenance schemes including technical approval and design certification.
* Ensure compliance with technical standards or mange the submission of Departures from Standard when applicable.
* Produce tender documents and preconstruction information packages.
* Tender evaluation and assisting with contract award.
* Manage the internal financial performance of individual schemes.
* Ensure compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality procedures that form part of the company’s Integrated management systems.
* Ensure compliance with the CDM Regulations, as required, and ensure that robust risk assessments are carried out before works, operations or inspections take place. This will include undertaking the role of a Principal Designer and, at times, Principal Contractor.
* Liaise with clients, swing bridge operators and auditors.
* Co-ordinate the production, issue and archiving of all drawings, documents, and scheme files.
* Ensuring that adequate environmental screening is undertaken and appropriate mitigation measures are implemented prior to work commencing.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
* Educated to degree level in Mechanical, Electrical, System Control or Civil Engineering
* Professional qualifications and membership of an appropriate professional body at chartered level (CEng MICE or MIET or MIMechE ) or working towards
* Relevant experience in the assessment, design and maintenance of moveable bridge structures or similar relevant experience.
* Skilled in the project management of schemes and the management of teams.
* Clear communicator
* A full approved UK driving licence.
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 – Overtime, Nightshift and Standby
* 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.
Join us and be part of a company that supports your development, values your contribution, and inspires you to do your best work