OCCUPATIONAL PROFILE

Structural engineer
Job Description
Structural engineers design structures that will withstand the pressures they have to endure. These range from houses, theatres, sports stadia, hospitals and office blocks to bridges, oil rigs and space satellites. They develop initial designs, using mathematics to calculate the stress that could arise at each point in the structure, and simulate and model possible situations, such as high winds and earth movements. When construction has begun, they are often involved in inspecting the work and advising contractors. Structural engineers often work in partnership with architects. They also examine buildings, bridges and other structures to discover whether or not they are structurally sound.

Typical Work Activities

Structural engineers ensure that structures serve their function without collapsing, bending, twisting or vibrating in undesirable ways. Their aim is to make efficient use of funds and materials to achieve these structural goals. Much of the role is office-based and engineers use computers to simulate a range of solutions for the structure that is being designed. The work also involves examining existing structures and modifying buildings whose usage is being changed to ensure they are safe to fulfil their intended purpose. Typical work activities include:

analysing suitable configurations of the basic structural components of a building or other structure; calculating the pressures, stresses and strains that each component, such as a beam or lintel, is likely to experience from other parts of the structure or from external pressures, such as wind and waves; considering the strength of various materials, e.g. timber, concrete, steel and brick, to see how their inclusion may necessitate a change of structural design; liaising with other designers, including architects, to reach agreement about safe designs and how they may fit in with the aesthetic concept of the construction; examining structures at risk of collapse and advising on measures to be taken to improve their structural integrity, such as recommending removal or repair of defective parts or re-building the entire structure - the Leaning Tower of Pisa was recently saved from collapse by structural engineers; communicating the design of a structure through drawings, specifications and computer models so that others can construct it; investigating ground conditions and analysing results of site tests, such as soil samples; liaising closely with construction contractors to ensure that newly erected buildings are structurally sound; applying expert knowledge of the forces that act on various structures; using computer-aided design (CAD) technology for simulation purposes.

Work Conditions

Salaries for new graduate trainees are in the region of 22,000 to 30,000 (salary data collected Apr 08). The range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 10-15 years in the role) is from 36,000 to 50,000 (salary data collected Apr 08). Structural engineers often enjoy additional benefits, including a company car, private health insurance and bonuses on the completion of projects. Working hours are generally nine to five. Occasionally there may be a need to work outside these hours, especially when operating as a consultant under time pressure from clients or architects, or if it is necessary to visit a site as a matter of urgency (e.g. if a railway bridge is in danger of collapse). The work of a structural engineer is mostly office-based with occasional visits to construction sites, or to meet collaborators in the team, such as architects and clients. The balance is roughly 80% office-based and 20% visits. There is plenty of opportunity for self-employment, as the work tends to revolve around projects. Some engineers work on a contract basis and many set up their own consultancies. Career breaks are possible as, once qualified, and with membership of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) (www.istructe.org), it is not difficult to find employment. Jobs are available throughout the UK, though there is more work in major conurbations than in rural areas. Consultant structural engineers often dress smartly but adapt their dress regularly for site work. Hard hats, safety shoes and high visibility vests are worn when appropriate. The vast majority of structural engineers are men. However, organisations such as Women Into Science, Engineering and Construction (WISE) (www.wisecampaign.org.uk) are working to redress the balance. This is an extremely responsible job; the public are dependent on the skills of structural engineers for their safety. Travel within a working day to visit construction sites is common. Sites are usually local to an engineer's place of work, but senior structural engineers and project managers may be required to travel to meetings at various locations nationally from time to time. International travel is also common - engineering consultants often work on international projects, including the construction of buildings, bridges, oil installations and airports. Structural engineers are also called to countries where large-scale, natural disasters, such as an earthquake or tsunami, have occurred.
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Structural engineer

Entry Requirements
Most graduates with an engineering or highly numerate science degree can become structural engineers, and progression to the professional status of chartered engineer is available without further study to graduates who have a four-year MEng degree, accredited by the Engineering Council UK (ECUK) (www.engc.org.uk), in any of the following:

structural engineering; civil engineering; general engineering (often including studies in structural engineering).

Graduates with a three-year BEng degree in these subjects, or another engineering or highly numerate science discipline, may progress directly to the status of incorporated engineer but will require further academic study to reach chartered status. Possession of an HND provides another route towards incorporated engineer status, but additional studies will be required. Relevant HND subjects include:

construction; civil engineering; other engineering disciplines.

It is not possible to progress towards the two professional qualifications of chartered or incorporated engineer without the above-mentioned qualifications. Graduates who do not have an accredited degree, such as those listed above, will benefit from a relevant postgraduate degree. Some graduates in civil engineering study specialist Masters courses in structural engineering to increase the depth of their knowledge in that area. Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

good analytical and problem-solving skills; strong mathematical ability; computer literacy; good grasp of physics; good three-dimensional conceptual skills; excellent oral and written communication skills; good diagrammatic skills; teamworking ability; excellent attention to detail; the ability to liaise well with professionals from other disciplines; an interest in the design and structure of buildings.

It is illegal for employers to discriminate against candidates on the grounds of age, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation or religious faith. For more information on equality and diversity in the job market see Handling Discrimination (www.prospects.ac.uk/links/discrimination).

Training
All trainee structural engineers must progress through a period of initial professional development (IPD). Trainees gain experience in the workplace, which is matched against specific core objectives identified by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) (www.istructe.org). Many employers offer structural training schemes to ensure these requirements are met. Trainees must then pass a professional review comprising:

an interview with qualified engineers; final examination.

This is the route to professional status. Some take IPD accredited by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) (www.ice.org.uk) and then the final exam of the IStructE. Others follow the direct route of training accredited by the IStructE. Many qualify with both institutions, which gives them more career flexibility later. Trainee structural engineers start in design and gain experience of working on many different types of structures built with a wide variety of materials. They also gain experience of a range of construction sites, with different foundation requirements and wind conditions. As experience is gained, they begin to liaise with architects, builders and others about their designs. Eventually, they become responsible for their own projects, liaising with clients, and visiting and inspecting construction sites. All this experience leads to the professional qualifications that are necessary to become a senior engineer in structural engineering. After that, engineers are expected to keep abreast of the latest developments by participating in training that offers continual professional development (CPD). CPD is an important element of career progression for civil engineers. The ICE provides guidelines for effective CPD and specific types of activities. The ICE and other key professional bodies, such as the IStructE, offer conferences, courses and workshops on a range of subjects.

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Structural engineer

Career Development
Starting as construction designers, structural engineers soon move on to become project managers. They may work alone, liaising closely with all the other construction professionals involved, or as part of a project team. Most large organisations have a formal progression structure, but if you work for a smaller company, it may be necessary to move to another employer to progress. Career options include moving from an engineering consultancy to a construction company, or vice versa. Another option is to work as a self-employed contract engineer and be paid for each contract completed. Some structural engineers set up their own engineering consultancies, either alone or with partners. A few are employed in architects offices. Another possibility is a career as a researcher or an academic, working in a university department and investigating entirely novel structural options with a range of construction materials, or teaching the subject at undergraduate or postgraduate level. Some engineers specialise in a specific type of structure, such as concrete buildings or timber-framed houses. Much of the work is concerned with the refurbishment of buildings or changing their use (e.g. from an office to a shop or a home). This is a profession in which there are many opportunities to move to other parts of the UK and to work on international projects.

Typical Employers
Most structural engineers work in engineering consultancies. These organisations range from large companies operating internationally, sometimes with offices in many countries, to small firms run by one person. A directory produced by the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) (www.istructe.org), is available online at Find an Engineer (www.findanengineer.com/). The large consultancy companies provide a broad range of work, excellent training and occasionally opportunities for international travel. Smaller firms tend to specialise in specific areas of engineering and the geographical spread of their clients is less extensive. Large construction companies often offer their clients a design and build service, maintaining their own designers, including structural engineers. Smaller construction firms take on engineers when they need them for specific projects. These are known as contract engineers. Other employers include local authorities, who have responsibility for many buildings, including civic offices, schools and buildings listed as of historic value. Structural engineers are occasionally employed by such organisations as railway operators, aircraft manufacturers and oil companies. Some work in university departments as researchers and lecturers.

Sources of Vacancies

The Structural Engineer (www.istructe.org.uk/thestructuralengineer/index.asp); New Civil Engineer (www.nceplus.co.uk); Prospects Directory; Prospects Graduate (www.prospects.ac.uk/links/graduate); Prospects Finalist (www.prospects.ac.uk/links/finalist); The GET Directory; careers service vacancy bulletins; local and national press.

See also the following websites:

Careers in Construction (www.careersinconstruction.com); JustEngineers (www.justengineers.net).

Recruitment agencies are a common source of vacancies. Agencies such as Thomas Telford Recruitment (www.ttrecruit.co.uk) tend to specialise in engineering vacancies for civil and structural engineers. Consult the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) (www.rec.uk.com) for details of other agencies handling engineering vacancies.

Related Occupations

Architect Building surveyor Consulting civil engineer Contracting civil engineer Historic buildings inspector/conservation officer Quantity surveyor Site engineer
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Structural engineer

Information Sources
Bibliography
AGCAS and Graduate Prospects products are available from higher education careers services.

AGCAS Publications
Construction Sector, AGCAS Sector Briefing Engineering Sector, AGCAS Sector Briefing Handling Discrimination, AGCAS Information Booklet Options with Building/Construction Management, AGCAS Options Series Options with Civil Engineering, AGCAS Options Series

Graduate Prospects Publications

Prospects Directory Prospects Finalist Prospects Graduate

Other Publications
First Move: Construction, Excel Publishing, Annual The GET Directory, GTI Specialist Publishers (http://www.groupgti.com), Annual New Civil Engineer, EMAP, Weekly The Structural Engineer, Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), Fortnightly TARGETjobs Construction & Building Services, GTI Specialist Publishers (http://www.groupgti.com), Annual TARGETjobs Engineering, GTI Specialist Publishers (http://www.groupgti.com), Annual

Websites
Careers in Construction, www.careersinconstruction.com Find an Engineer, www.findanengineer.com/ JustEngineers, www.justengineers.net Portia (Gateway into Science, Engineering and Technology for all women), www.portiaweb.org Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), www.rec.uk.com

Addresses
Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE), Alliance House, 12 Caxton Street, London SW1H 0QL Tel: 020 7222 6557 URL: www.acenet.co.uk ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH Tel: 01485 577 577 URL: www.cskills.org Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), Blue Court, Church Lane, Kings Langley, Herts WD4 8JP Tel: 01923 260 000 URL: www.ecitb.org.uk Engineering Council UK (ECUK), 246 High Holborn, London WC1V 7EX Tel: 020 3206 0500 URL: www.engc.org.uk Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), 1 Great George Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3AA Tel: 020 7222 7722 URL: www.ice.org.uk Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), 11 Upper Belgrave Street, London SW1X 8BH Tel: 020 7235 4535 URL: www.istructe.org Science Engineering and Technology (SCENTA), 10 Maltravers Street, London WC2R 3ER Tel: 020 7557 6411 URL: www.scenta.co.uk Thomas Telford Recruitment, 1 Heron Quay, London E14 4JD Tel: 020 7665 2438 URL: www.ttrecruit.co.uk Women Into Science, Engineering and Construction (WISE), 2nd Floor, Weston House, 246 High Holborn WC1V 7EX Tel: 020 3206 0408 URL: www.wisecampaign.org.uk The Women's Engineering Society (WES), Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Herts SG1 2AY Tel: 01438 765506 URL: www.wes.org.uk

Content copyright of or licensed to AGCAS (www.agcas.org.uk) Written by Janet Hindle, The University of Leeds, 11/04/2008 The work of writers, editors and other contributors is gratefully acknowledged - full details on www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations To view the terms and conditions for the material provided in this publication, please see www.prospects.ac.uk/links/disclaimer Page 4 of 4 Visit www.prospects.ac.uk/links/occupations to see case studies of graduates in this role