Structural engineers have an impact on every part of our lives. They are involved in the construction of every aspect of the built environment, ranging from where we live, to where we travel, through to commercial, industrial and leisure buildings.

What structural engineers do

Structural engineering’s technical and scientific basis enables engineers to design and build exciting structures such as the Gateshead Millennium Bridge and the Wembley Stadium, both of which use the latest materials and innovative construction techniques.

Structural engineers often specialise in one area of work, such as bridges and tunnels, buildings, or large constructions such as oil installations. If a building appears to be collapsing or subsiding, a structural engineer will suggest methods of improving the foundations and keeping the structure intact.

It is the structural engineer’s job to analyse plans for new projects, taking into account factors such as how weight will be distributed, and where stresses and strains will occur in the structure.

Structural engineers also decide which materials to use when planning the detailed design of a structure, depending on the various factors that arise during the design process.

Where do structural engineers work?

One of the main attractions of a graduate career in structural engineering is variety – both in terms of the projects you can get involved in and the people you can work with.

Each job will involve new teams of people facing different problems and using the latest cutting-edge technology. Key recruiters of structural engineering graduates include Atkins, Buro Happold, Cundall, Carillion and Mott MacDonald.

Structural engineering is a worldwide profession, and with appropriate qualifications and training you can work almost anywhere in the world. Major civil and structural engineering projects are undertaken each year around the world and good-quality structural engineers are increasingly in demand.

The following are just a few examples of the areas you could work in.

Consulting structural engineers

Consulting structural engineers advise individual clients – often architects, builders, local authorities or property developers – about the viability, safety and design of various structural proposals. Consultants produce innovative designs in accordance with a design brief specified by their client, taking into account structural stability, durability, aesthetics and cost.

There are opportunities for engineering graduates with many consulting firms, both large and small. If you’re interested in finding out more, you can contact the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers or the Association for Consultancy and Engineering.

Contracting structural engineers

Like consultancies, contracting companies vary in size. The larger companies generally act as the main contractor and often engage smaller, more specialist firms to complete certain parts of the project.

Contractors tend to concentrate on the management of the construction process rather than dealing with the design. As a contractor you will be required to work as part of the construction team starting as an assistant engineer, with the opportunity to progress to site management.

Job decription

Read the structural engineer job profile in the Engineering section of this website.

Skills you’ll need

If you’re determined to make it as a structural engineer, you need to be highly numerate and strongly analytical – you will use mathematical models to investigate where stress occurs and calculate out how the structure can be altered to overcome problems.

Attention to detail is an essential skill, as is the ability to communicate easily with clients who are unfamiliar with engineering terms and technicalities.

Becoming a chartered structural engineers

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) is the professional body that represents the interests of structural engineers. If you are studying for a degree in civil or structural engineering you can join the Institution as a student member. Graduates wishing to progress towards professional qualifications have to complete a period of initial professional development, which usually takes around three or four years.

Graduates with an accredited MEng, or the equivalent, can work towards chartered membership by taking the Professional Review Interview with senior engineers, followed by the chartered member written examination.

Graduates with an accredited BEng (Hons), or equivalent, may undertake a period of further learning and then progress to chartered membership in the same way. If you have a three-year ordinary degree, you can work towards associate membership (Incorporated Engineer) by progressing through a similar scheme. It is possible for associate members to transfer to chartered membership later in their career.

IStructE offers advice on the training that its members need in order to progress to professional status with the Institution. The support offered by the Institution and local branches in the UK and throughout the world allows enthusiastic and gifted engineers to progress to chartered or associate membership as quickly as possible.

Find out more

The Engineering section of this website has plenty more information about civil engineering, structural engineering and other engineering and manufacturing areas. It also contains job profiles for these careers.

Alternatively, take a look at graduate-job profiles within the construction, building and planning sector.