3778 - Structures Engineer Strategic Road Network

The Strategic Road Network (SRN) is one of Wales most vital infrastructure assets, valued at approximately 21 billion. Although it makes up just 5% of the total road length, it carries around one-third of all road traffic, playing a key role in connecting communities, enabling economic growth, and ensuring access to essential services.

This post is part of a wider recruitment campaign to strengthen the Welsh Governments Strategic Road Network Division. Over the coming months, well be building a diverse and skilled team to enhance our capability as a highway authorityensuring we continue to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable transport infrastructure across Wales. This is an exciting opportunity to join a delivery-focused, inclusive team and help shape the future of the SRNmaking a real difference to peoples lives, connectivity, and the Welsh economy.

What Youll Be Doing

As part of the Asset Management and Standards branch, youll deliver technical governance of plans to operate, maintain, and improve the SRN on behalf of Welsh Ministers. This includes:

• Proactively managing and appraising Technical Approval submissions for a range of situations including structural assessments, strengthening and the design of new structures
• Preparing National Application Annexes to Design Manual for Roads and Bridges standards and Procedures Advice and Guidance (PAG) documents
• Auditing the delivery of maintenance, improvement and upgrading projects against Welsh Government standards and policies, budgets and programmes
• Providing advice to Trunk Road Agents, Local Authorities, Consulting Engineers and Contractors as required on structural technical standards

All work is aligned with Welsh Government policy, including Llwybr Newydd: The Wales Transport Strategy 2021, the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, and our environmental improvement commitments.

Key Focus

In this role, youll ensure that:

• Welsh Government standards are applied consistentlycontributing to National Application Annexes and Procedures Advice and Guidance, and embedding updates in live projects
• decisions optimise whole‑life outcomesbalancing public safety, network availability, cost and carbon
• risks are clearly articulated and managedmaintaining live risk registers and escalating promptly where safety or availability could be affected
• digital tools, modern inspection methods and risk-based approaches are leveraged to improve insight, efficiency and traceability across the structures portfolio
• structures are assessed, strengthened, renewed and monitored as required, using the most cost effective and least disruptive methods to maintain network availability and public safety
• high‑quality, up‑to‑date asset data is captured and maintained, ensuring structures are supported by accurate as‑built and operational information that underpins efficient delivery, robust valuation, and effective lifetime management

Why Join Us?

Were committed to buildinga diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. Youll be joining a team that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, and where your work will have a tangible impact on the future of transport in Wales.

Youll also benefit from an exceptional employee package. As a Welsh Government employee, youll be automatically enrolled into the Civil Service Pension Scheme, which offers one of the most generous employer contribution rates in the UK (28.97% employer contribution), providing long‑term financial security that is difficult to match elsewhere. Youll work a 37 hour week, enjoying 31 days of annual leave plus bank and privilege holidays, alongside flexible working arrangements and a hybrid working approach designed to support wellbeing, work‑life balance and productivity. We also offer a range of additional benefits, including cycle and green car schemes, discounted rail season tickets, and access to wellbeing and employee support programmes. For more information, visit Pay, pensions and benefits , GOV.WALES

Key Responsibilities:

• Drive meaningful change by acting as the Technical Approval Authority contact for assessment, maintenance, strengthening, improvement and new build projects in the [relevant Agent] area.
• Shape delivery excellence by proactively managing and appraising Technical Approval submissions by trunk road agents and consultants, ensuring high standards, value for money, and timely outcomes.
• Support informed decision-making through effective risk management, reporting, and preparation of briefings, aligned with Welsh Government governance frameworks.
• Maximise impact by making well-reasoned, formally recorded, recommendations for departures from the requirements of technical standards.
• Foster collaboration by making experience-based contributions to the philosophies governing the content on the national structures standards and procedures and advice notes to ensure that they cater for Welsh Government objectives.
• Represent Welsh Government at industry groups including Bridge Owners Forum and UK Roads Leadership Groups Bridges Board.
• Promote innovation by championing sustainable construction methods, digital tools, and integrated project delivery approaches that support long-term resilience and efficiency.