Principal Engineer, Bridges & Structures

Principal Engineer, Bridges & Structures

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your Impact

As a Principal Engineer in our Bridges and Structures team, you’ll play a key role in shaping the future of our business in Ireland—supporting our transition to a solutions-focused provider through the adoption of new technologies, lean methodologies, and digital delivery processes. With a strong emphasis on sustainability and decarbonisation, you’ll apply your advanced technical, interpersonal, and organisational skills to deliver innovative structural solutions across highways, rail, aviation, energy, and power sectors.

You’ll be instrumental in establishing and growing our Bridges and Structures capability in Ireland, helping to build the team, expand our workload pipeline, and strengthen client relationships. Often in a client-facing role, you’ll lead the delivery of bridge and structural projects, ensuring excellence in both technical and commercial outcomes.

In this role, you will

• Lead and mentor teams in structural analysis, feasibility studies, tender and detailed designs, and the production of contract documents and technical reports.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated, high-quality services to clients.
• Champion innovation through data, automation, lean practices, and standardisation to improve efficiency and project outcomes.
• Ensure delivery excellence—commercially and technically—across all phases of project execution.
• Work closely with our UK, Ireland, and Global Integrated Delivery teams to optimise resources and ensure successful project delivery.

Our Bridges and Structures capability is part of Jacobs’ wider Transportation business, known for delivering technically complex schemes across the Ireland, UK and internationally. We’ve built a strong reputation through high-profile projects with clients including High Speed 2, National Highways, Network Rail, Welsh Government, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, National Transport Authority, Irish Rail, Local Authorities. We currently have exciting opportunities within our Transportation teams in Dublin and Cork, where you can make a meaningful impact and contribute to Jacobs’ continued growth. Some of our recent nationally and regionally significant projects in Ireland include:

• Foynes to Limerick Road
• M28 Cork to Ringaskiddy
• Dublin and Cork BusConnects
• N2 Clontibret to Border
• Irish Rail AFA
• Translink C1113 and C1127
• Station Accessibility A6 Bridges
• DART Depot

Let’s build for a brighter future together. If you’re ready to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact—join our Bridges and Structures team.

Here's what you'll need

• A degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (or a related discipline)
• A professional qualification Chartership or near to achieving
• Client facing, work winning and team management skills
• Project management and leadership skills related to bridge design (or other disciplines)
• Strong technical design and practical problem-solving skills

Key skills/competency

• Principal Engineer
• Bridges and Structures
• Structural Analysis
• Project Management
• Team Leadership
• Client Facing
• Innovation
• Sustainability
• Decarbonisation
• Civil Engineering