Inside the Role of a Structural Engineer

What does a typical day as a structural engineer involve?

A typical day begins with me checking my emails and diary to determine the order in which my tasks are to be addressed. Tasks that I will undertake on a daily basis include:

• Preparing structural reports
• Reviewing structural reports prepared by others
• Liaising with existing and prospective clients
• Attending meetings with clients and addressing client queries
• Preparing structural design calculations and details.

What are your responsibilities within the team?

My main responsibilities are to provide clients with a quality service delivered on time and within budget. I also maintain regular contact with past, existing and prospective clients, many of whom are based within local authorities/the private sector.

How did you start out within the structural engineering sector? Did you require specific training/qualifications?

I started out as a structural draughtsman and undertook a part-time Higher National Certificate (HNC) course with a civil engineering and structural bias. I then joined the membership of the Chartered Institute of Building and later became a member of the Forum for the Built Environment as a Fellow of the Faculty of Building (FFB). 

What type of projects have you worked on? Are there any of note that are high profile/of particular interest?

Of the many projects I have undertaken solely and without assistance, examples include:

• Re-design and renovation of road system and drainage for a housing association in West Sussex
• Surveying and carrying out re-design of the drainage to a leisure centre in West Sussex
• Structural loadbearing assessment of the steel entrance canopy to a London railway station
• Structural design and detailing of access gantries in the roof of a swimming pool and leisure facility in Richmond
• Structural design and detailing of a large new build property in Kent
• Structural surveys and long-term assessment of stability of a pump house in South London
• Design and detailing of structural alterations to a council town hall in London
• Undertaking structural inspections of both private and council domestic properties and reporting my findings.

What is your favourite thing about your role and what sort of challenges do you face?

My favourite thing about working at SOCOTEC is the structural design element of my role, as well as the relationships that I have with many of my clients, especially within the local authorities. The main challenge that I face in my role is obtaining further work from existing clients and gaining new contacts.

How does your role fit in with the wider team/broader project delivery?

My role fits in with the wider Structural Engineering team, as I carry out structural design and detailing, undertake structural inspections and write reports for clients. My work is then checked and approved by other team members before it is issued.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to start a career within structural engineering?

Structural engineering is suitable for anyone who possesses a creative flair, so if this sounds like you, it could be the ideal career path. When starting out, it is advisable to ensure that you have a competent structural engineer to help you find your feet as you start your role.