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Engineering

Bridge Engineer

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Primary Secondary Post-16

Bridge engineers plan, design and check structures that carry people and vehicles over roads, rivers and railways. They make sure bridges are strong, safe and last a long time. They use maths and computer models to test ideas, work with other engineers and approve repairs or new designs. In the UK they follow rules to protect the public and often work on projects for towns, cities or transport networks.

Bridge Engineer

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📊 Statistics

Average salary in the UK

Typical salaries range from around 32,000 to 50,000 pounds per year for graduate to early career roles, with senior bridge engineers earning 60,000 to 90,000 pounds or more depending on experience and responsibilities.

Jobs and demand

There are many roles in UK councils, consultancy firms and major rail and road projects. Estimated thousands of engineers work in infrastructure, with steady demand for new bridges and maintenance.

Education and training

Most bridge engineers study civil or structural engineering at university and gain professional status through a chartership path such as Incorporated or Chartered Engineer with the engineering council.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Bridge Designer

A person who draws and plans how a bridge should look and how it will stand up safely

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Construction Supervisor

Someone who helps manage building a bridge on site and makes sure workers follow the plans

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Geotechnical Technician

A helper who studies the ground where the bridge will be built to keep it strong and safe

Stage 1: Learn the Basics

Explore maths and science

Get curious about how things stand up and stay safe.

Try simple building projects with blocks or clay. Learn about forces like gravity and how curves can make things stronger. Use school maths to measure lengths and angles. In the long term, this helps you understand how bridges carry loads and resist wind and weather.

Meet a bridge engineer

Learn about what bridge engineers do in real life.

Watch short videos or talks about bridges and visit a local bridge or construction site with a guardian. Notice the different parts such as arches, piers and decks and think about why they are placed where they are.

Build a small bridge model

Create a simple bridge model to learn about stability.

Use popsicle sticks or plastic straws to build a small arch or beam bridge. Test it with small weights and observe where it bends. Record what makes it stronger or weaker.

Stage 2: Learn the Tools

Study design and drawings

Understand how engineers draw bridges on paper and digital tools.

Learn basic drawing and measurement skills. Practice reading simple plans and diagrams. As you grow, you will use computer software to create and test designs.

Discover materials and safety

Know about materials that bridges are made from and how to keep people safe.

Explore common bridge materials like concrete and steel. Learn about load, strength and how weather affects durability. Safety planning helps prevent accidents during construction and use.

Practice basic calculations

Use numbers to estimate loads and sizes.

Learn to add up how heavy a bridge might be and how much weight it should carry. Simple calculations help decide how thick a beam should be and how far apart supports stand.

Stage 3: Build Knowledge and Experience

Join science and engineering activities

Participate in school projects or clubs about structures.

Take part in STEM clubs, regional science fairs or school design challenges. Work with friends to plan, build and test a larger bridge model. Learn how to present ideas clearly.

Learn about codes and ethics

Understand why rules and honesty matter in engineering.

Study basic safety guidelines and how professionals follow laws and standards. Consider how engineers protect the public and the environment.

Seek mentors and work experience

Find a mentor and look for junior work experience opportunities.

Ask teachers or local engineers if they know of shadowing days, summer camps or visits to bridges and construction sites. Even small work experience helps you learn real tools and practices.

Stage 4: Get Qualified and Start Practising

Choose the right education path

Pick GCSEs and A level subjects that lead to engineering.

Aim for strong maths and science grades. Later choose a university degree in civil or structural engineering or a related field. Consider apprenticeships in engineering.

Study civil or structural engineering

Learn more about designing large structures safely.

In higher education you will study materials, dynamics, structural analysis and design codes. You will do projects that simulate real bridge problems and learn project teamwork.

Gain professional status

Work towards becoming a licensed engineer.

After university, gain professional experience and join the relevant engineering institution. You may become a Chartered Engineer by meeting competence and ethics requirements.

🎬 Useful Videos

Expert Film: This is Henry Reynolds, who works as the Responsible Business Manager for Morgan Sindall. Henry talks about how to select materials to build a bridge.
1:39
Expert

Expert Film: This is Henry Reynolds, who works as the Responsible Business Manager for Morgan Sindall. Henry talks about how to select materials to build a bridge.

over 1 year ago

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Bridge Engineer. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

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Sample Qualifications

Bridge engineering is a specialised area within civil engineering, focusing on the design, analysis and construction of structures such as bridges. Both fields rely on structural mechanics, materials knowledge and adherence to codes and standards (e.g., British Standards and Eurocodes), and they involve project planning, safety and on-site supervision.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You can do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in civil engineering.

Many universities specialise in particular areas of civil engineering, like:

  • transport engineering
  • environmental engineering
  • coastal and maritime engineering

You can search for accredited courses through the Institution of Civil Engineers. Some courses include a work placement, which can be useful for making industry contacts to help you find work after university.

You can also do further study for a postgraduate master's qualification in civil engineering, if you've got a degree in a related subject like maths, science or geology.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including maths and a science for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

College

You could take a course at college, which might help you to get work as a trainee civil engineer, or to apply for further study at university.

Subjects include:

  • civil engineering
  • maths, physics or geography
  • construction and the built environment

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Civil Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with an engineering or construction company.

This takes around 5 years to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could work as a civil engineering technician and study on the job for a degree or apprenticeship.

You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science. Employers may also look for 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent qualifications.

More Information

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) for professional development opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can learn more about how to become a civil engineer from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).

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