Civil Engineer – Havant Thicket Main Pipeline Works

We are seeking a new Civil Engineer to join our multi-disciplined design team working on Portsmouth Water’s Havant Thicket Project, where Ward & Burke are delivering the 3.5 km main pipeline works. This role is design-focused, suitable for individuals with 3 – 5 years of experience in civils and/or temporary works design. The role will comprise primarily (site)office-based design work, with frequent trips to the site to discuss designs with the project delivery teams, review progress, and learn lessons from delivery to feed back into future designs.

The candidate will be integrating into a multi-disciplinary team who are responsible for the end-to-end design of the project, just as we commence the construction phase. The design is currently undergoing changes, such that detailed design of the caisson shafts and pipe-jacked tunnels along the route is still ongoing. The candidate will join the team during this detailed design phase and work with other disciplines to complete the permanent works design of the scheme. As well as these permanent structures, a successful candidate should be interested in designing temporary works to enable the construction of the permanent works.

The project currently has approximately 2 years until commissioning, and as the job nears completion, it is anticipated that the successful candidate will migrate into working on projects in Southern Water’s area of operations, which Ward & Burke are currently undertaking.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

• Review incoming Civil jobs and develop clear design briefs.
• Maintain and update the design registers.
• Carry out the design for a range of civil engineering activities, including producing design calculations, risk assessments, sketches for drafting, reinforcement intents, concrete mix designs, etc.
• Travel to site to discuss designs with delivery teams, take on board feedback, and develop the most efficient solutions.
• Travel to site to review progress during construction and ensure designs are executed correctly.

Technical Experience

• 3 – 5 years of experience in civil engineering and/or temporary works design, essential.

Candidates are required to have a good knowledge of the following:

• Previous shaft and tunnel construction/design experience.
• Design of structures using British Standard and Eurocode methods.
• Design of concrete structures, including the basics of rebar specifying and mix design.
• Interpreting of ground investigation reports.
• Use of 2D CAD software.
• Use of Finite Element Modelling software.
• High-quality written and spoken English, for report writing and effective communication to both technical and non-technical people.

Additionally, candidates should have practical and design experience in some or all of the following areas:

• Excavations, cofferdams, slope stability, and trench support systems.
• Crane and piling working platforms.
• Concrete pours, shuttering and sequencing.
• Protection of buried services.
• Back propping and temporary support.
• Lifting equipment and design for lifting (anchors etc.).
• Programming (Python preferrable).
• Hydraulic design of pipelines.

Working Pattern & Location

The primary work location will be the Ward & Burke Havant project Office (Meyrick Road, Havant, PO9 1NR). 1 day per week hybrid work is possible, but a full-time site presence is preferred. Typical hours are 08:00–18:00 Mon–Thu, 08:00–16:00 Fri (approx. 48 hrs/week).

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 /year (dependent on experience).

• 27 days holiday (including a 2‑week Christmas shutdown aligned with Joint Construction Council) + bank holidays.
• Site mileage and/or other site travel and accommodation costs reimbursed.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must currently reside in the UK.
• Preferably does not require visa sponsorship.
• 3 – 5 years of experience in civil engineering and/or temporary works design.

To apply, please complete the form below or email careers@wardandburke.com referencing job code UK_HT_Civil_171.