Scaffolding Careers

Design Engineer

Role

Their role is to design scaffolding structures to support construction work on a variety of projects. The role involves surveying the site, attending design meetings, working on Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems, undertaking design calculations and risk assessments and having expertise in tubular structures. They also provide scaffolding and temporary works design schemes including the production of detailed design drawings, structural calculations and design risk assessments.

Responsibilities

  • Provide designs and engineering advice to support day to day operation of the business, liaising closely with Directors, Contracts Managers and Supervisor
  • Ensure all designs and engineering support provided, adheres to the latest codes of practice, UK regulations and company policies
  • Provide workable, practical and economical engineered solutions with accurate calculations within deadline
  • Assess customers’ requirements through attending site visits, and/or the customers’ schedule
  • Produce clear and accurate drawings to customer requirements or by converting estimating drawings, providing accurate calculations
  • Support Directors, Contract Managers and Supervisors, attending customer meetings as necessary to present solutions and discuss proposals
  • Provide briefings on drawings to the management team as necessary
  • Provide advice and support during erection process on engineering issues
  • Oversee the erection process from an engineering viewpoint including conducting site visits
  • Ensure that designs conform to all health and safety requirements, produced with safety of erection and any perceived hazards clearly identified and noted on drawings
  • Revise drawings or advice according to changes in the customer specification or site conditions
  • Liaise with external Engineers/clients to ensure that drawings are checked prior to work commencing.

Typical day

Working closely with the CAD team, Contracts Managers and Supervisors, the design engineers develop designs and engineering expertise to ensure the safe and timely erection and removal of scaffolding structures.

Key skills

Creative, disciplined and organised with good communication abilities to ensure that ideas are executed efficiently and to ensure compliance. Patient, methodical with an aptitude for technology and the ability to adapt to new techniques, methodologies and computer programs.

Application process

Directly to the company or through other traditional channels such as recruitment agencies (particularly specialist construction agencies), Jobcentre Plus, the National Careers Service, Job Boards (e.g. Indeed) or via advertisements in newspapers.

Design Engineer

Expected salary

Dependent upon the responsibilities within the role and its location, salaries can vary widely from £34,500 upwards.

Qualifications required

Technical Draughtsmen should consider Engineering Technician (EngTech) membership of the ICE or IStructE, and Design Engineers target Incorporated (IEng) membership. The minimum academic qualification for EngTech membership is an HND. The minimum academic requirement for IEng is a Bachelor’s Degree (BEng). If you want to pursue Chartership then you will have to complete a Master’s degree (MEng). Experience as a scaffolder is not necessary but can be invaluable in helping you to translate and build the scaffold you design in your mind.