Chief Engineer - (Principal Engineer)

Principal Engineer / Chief Engineer – Reinforcement Product Development

Shape the Future of Industrialised Construction

Location: Flexible / Project Based (Sizewell C ARMF Programme) 

Business Unit: Strategic Programmes

Level: Principal Engineer / Chief Engineer

At Laing O'Rourke, we are redefining how major infrastructure is delivered.

As a recognised leader in digital engineering, manufacturing innovation and industrialised construction, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the built environment. Through advanced automation, robotics, digital engineering and manufacturing-led thinking, we are transforming traditional construction into a safer, more productive and more sustainable industry. We are now launching one of the most ambitious industrialisation programmes ever undertaken in UK construction: the Sizewell C Advanced Reinforcement Manufacturing Facility (ARMF).

The ARMF will be a highly automated, digitally enabled manufacturing facility producing precision-engineered reinforcement products at unprecedented scale. Combining advanced robotics, automated production systems, digital design-to-manufacture workflows and a fully integrated digital thread, the facility will manufacture thousands of reinforcement cages and assemblies required to construct Sizewell C. To help deliver this vision, we are seeking an exceptional Principal Engineer or Chief Engineer to lead the development of our reinforcement cage product portfolio and drive the engineering strategy that will enable industrial-scale manufacture.

The Opportunity

This is not a traditional engineering role. You will lead the technical development of a new generation of reinforcement products specifically designed for automated manufacture, robotic assembly and large-scale deployment on a major nuclear infrastructure programme.

Working across engineering, manufacturing, digital, temporary works, operations and supply chain teams, you will define how reinforcement cages should be designed, standardised, optimised and industrialised for production within a state-of-the-art manufacturing environment. You will become the technical authority for the ARMF product catalogue, ensuring products are safe, compliant, manufacturable and optimised for automation.

This role provides a unique opportunity to influence the future direction of industrialised construction and leave a lasting legacy on one of the UK's most important infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for the development of the ARMF reinforcement cage product portfolio.
• Define and maintain product standards, engineering requirements and design rules.
• Lead the development of products optimised for automated and robotic manufacture.
• Drive standardisation and modularisation strategies to maximise manufacturing efficiency.
• Work closely with manufacturing engineers to ensure products can be safely and efficiently produced within the ARMF.
• Collaborate with digital engineering and software teams to develop rules-based and automated engineering solutions.
• Oversee product validation, testing, assurance and continuous improvement activities.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering reviews and support key product development gateways.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards, nuclear quality requirements and project specifications.
• Act as the senior technical authority for reinforcement product development within the programme. Mentor and develop engineering talent across the product engineering team.
• Represent Laing O'Rourke with customers, partners and industry stakeholders.

About You

You will be an experienced engineering leader who combines strong technical capability with an interest in innovation, automation and modern manufacturing.

You may come from:

• Reinforced concrete design
• Structural engineering
• Temporary works engineering
• Product engineering
• Manufacturing engineering
• Offsite construction
• Industrialised construction
• Heavy engineering or advanced manufacturing environments

Essential Experience

• Significant experience leading complex engineering or product development programmes.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of reinforced concrete structures and reinforcement design principles.
• Ability to balance engineering requirements with practical manufacturing and installation constraints.
• Experience engaging senior stakeholders and influencing strategic decisions.

Desirable Experience

• Chartered Engineer (or working at an equivalent level).
• Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
• Digital engineering, BIM or parametric design.
• Manufacturing automation or robotics.
• Product lifecycle management.
• Nuclear, infrastructure or major project delivery.
• Industrialised construction and factory-based production systems.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to be part of something genuinely industry-changing.

You will help create a first-of-a-kind manufacturing capability that combines digital engineering, advanced automation and robotic production to transform how reinforcement is delivered on major projects.

You'll work alongside some of the brightest engineers, digital specialists and manufacturing experts in the industry while shaping the future of construction itself.

At Laing O'Rourke, innovation is not a slogan. It is how we operate.

Join us and help build the next generation of industrialised construction.

Ready to shape the future? Apply today and play a leading role in delivering one of the most advanced reinforcement manufacturing facilities in the world.

About Laing O'Rourke

Laing O'Rourke is an international engineering and construction business known for pushing boundaries in digital engineering, modern methods of construction and sustainable delivery. With more than 150 years of heritage, we are committed to creating environments in which diverse teams can excel and thrive.

Accessibility & Inclusion

We are proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme. If you meet the essential criteria and would like to be considered through our Offer an Interview scheme, please let us know. We're also happy to provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

If you require an alternative format of this advert or need support during the application, please contact:
resourcingteam@laingorourke.com

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