Your Path to Becoming a Structural Engineer

As a structural engineer you’ll create the spaces that we live and work in. This involves making sure buildings are buildable, safe and logically designed.

One of the most exciting parts of the role can be watching your work come to life. As a structural engineer, you’ll be able to see a project develop and witness first-hand the impact a building can have on people’s lives.

Develop your career with AWA

Whether you’re an experienced professional, considering your first job as a graduate, or looking to enrol on our apprenticeship scheme, we can offer you the opportunity to work within a collaborative and friendly environment on a broad-range of engineering projects.

Choosing your path

University route

You can become a structural engineer by gaining a full-time Bachelors Degree in Engineering, accredited for subsequent Incorporated Engineer (IEng) registration.

This degree typically takes three to four years to complete. Between your University terms, AWA provide work experience opportunities to support you every step of the way, and offer a competitive graduate salary following completion of your degree.

Apprenticeship route

Becoming qualified in structural engineering through an AWA apprenticeship allows you to learn while you work.

Depending on your education level when you join us, this might involve firstly undertaking a BTEC qualification, Diploma, NVQ, HNC, HND, or other work-related qualifications. On gaining these qualifications, we offer enrolment on to a Bachelors Degree in Engineering to ultimately become a practising structural engineer.

All of these qualifications would be funded by AWA, with paid leave granted to attend classes.

This flow chart published by the Engineering Council provides a visual example of the paths you can take to become a structural engineer.

Professional titles

Once you have gained sufficient engineering experience, your level of commitment and competency in your role can be demonstrated through Professional registration with the Engineering Council.

With help from chartered members of our team, AWA can support you to reach this significant achievement in your career.

There are two registration categories for engineers, each with a different education and experience requirement:

Incorporated Engineer (IEng)

Must be educated to a degree level or equivalent.

Key attributes required include:

• The theoretical knowledge to solve problems in developed technologies using well proven analytical techniques.
• Successful application of their knowledge to deliver engineering projects or services using established technologies and methods.
• Contribution to project and financial planning and management together with some responsibility for leading and developing other professional staff
• Effective interpersonal skills in communicating technical matters.
• Commitment to professional engineering values.

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Educated to Masters degree level and have the experience to make high level decisions.

Key attributes required include:

• The theoretical knowledge to solve problems in new technologies and develop new analytical techniques.
• Successful application of the knowledge to deliver innovative products and services and/or take technical responsibility for complex engineering systems.
• Responsibility for financial and planning aspects of projects, subprojects or tasks.
• Leading and developing other professional staff through management, mentoring or coaching.
• Effective interpersonal skills in communicating technical matters.
• Commitment to professional engineering values.

Applications for assessment must be made to a professional engineering institution in order to achieve these titles. Assessment can be in the form of written evidence or an interview, dependent on the organisation.

A full breakdown of the competencies required to achieve these professional titles can be found here.

We welcome applications from talented people who are interested in joining our growing practice. Please get in touch at [email protected] if you have any questions about careers at AWA.