Structural Engineer
Structural engineers help design buildings and structures such as hospitals, stadiums and bridges. They work out how much weight a structure must carry and how it will respond to forces such as wind. They also assess existing buildings and investigate why structures fail.
Day-to-day tasks
In this role you could:
- Use engineering software to draw up structural plans
- Assess how materials such as steel, concrete and glass will perform
- Calculate the loads and stresses on different parts of a structure
- Model how structures will respond to weather conditions
- Inspect unsafe buildings and assess whether they need to be demolished
- Investigate how and why a building collapsed
Skills & knowledge
You'll need:
- Strong maths skills and an understanding of engineering principles
- Knowledge of construction methods and structural design
- Confidence using computers and engineering software
- The ability to analyse information and solve complex problems
- Clear verbal communication skills
- A careful approach and attention to detail
Industry Qualifications
You could take a degree in structural engineering, architectural engineering, or civil and structural engineering.
A college course in civil engineering can help you get a trainee role, where you’ll continue training on the job. You could also start as a civil engineering technician and study for a degree while working.
For accredited degree courses, visit the Engineering Council. For career routes and professional development, visit The Institution of Structural Engineers.