Construction Design Engineer

Job summary

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Job description

Designing and building brand-new embassies in bustling cities and remote locations. Collaborating with architects, engineers and surveyors to design and reconfigure a high commission’s office space. Developing a secure site’s new CCTV System. This work is as varied and as vital as it gets. Now you’ve got the opportunity to join them.

Designing and building embassies.
Providing a world-class service.
Protect the UK’s security interests.
It all matters.

Design the bespoke spaces that keep our clients safe and secure

When you join our highly professional and collaborative property and construction team, it will be your job to produce bespoke, detailed and fully coordinated designs and specifications for internal fit-out spaces. Working alongside clients in the FCDO, other UK Government departments and with customers in friendly foreign governments, you’ll have a strong focus on ensuring your designs guarantee building security while maintaining compliance with specialist requirements. In addition, we’ll expect your designs to be risk-free and provide the relevant health and safety information to ensure the correct working practices are followed.

With opportunities for occasional overseas travel to conduct site surveys, you will lead designs from concept development through to completion, playing a key role in delivering innovative and effective solutions for our clients.

Your day-to-day work will include communicating with delivery and installation teams to confirm that technical solutions are developed in accordance with your designs, and providing quality assurance to ensure all work meets the relevant legal and regulatory requirements. We’ll also expect you to advise on the resolution of any technical issues that arise, help to create next generation design standards and products, and produce and maintain a knowledge library of documentation for installation practices and standards.

Use all your specialist design skills as you help to protect the UK’s interests

To be a success in this important role you should have a detailed understanding of common construction standards, installation practices and applicable legislation, and formal technical qualifications at BTEC/HNC level. It goes without saying that you’ll have well developed experience of designing the basic elements of buildings and spaces, and any knowledge of secure construction and physical security design would be desirable, as would an understanding of design-related software such as AutoCAD and Revit.

Capable of producing technical design documentation, including drawings, specifications and programmes, you should be ready to conduct site surveys, both in the UK and overseas, and capture as-built details in a professional report. You’ll be working with a diverse range of clients and stakeholders, so we’ll look for excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and any practical line management experience would be an advantage. In addition, the successful completion of a construction-related health and safety course such as NEBOSH construction certificate, SMSTS/IOSH or similar would be a plus.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Want to see your future team’s work in action? Step into our Virtual Embassy and select a guide to take you round to see how we deliver for government customers and how you could help. Explore the embassy now at virtual-embassy.fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.

Person specification

We are looking for people with:

• Formal technical qualifications to BTEC/HNC level
• Experience in designing building elements (secure construction and physical security design experience advantageous)
• Experience of designing building elements, secure construction & physical security experience advantageous.
• Knowledge of Construction Design Management requirements

Qualifications

Formal technical qualifications to BTEC/HNC level
If selecting “or similar equivalent” please provide details of qualification or experience you are using as equivalent

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Formal technical qualifications to BTEC/HNC level
• Experience in designing building elements (secure construction and physical security design experience advantageous)
• Knowledge of Construction Design Management requirements

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £51,241, FCDO Services contributes £14,844 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
• A leave allowance of 25 days per annum
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for mo