Creating Career Path...

Finding Further Careers...

Engineering

Bridge Engineer

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

Bridge engineers design and check structures that carry roads, railways and pedestrians over rivers and valleys. They choose materials, calculate forces and safety requirements, and work with architects, builders and clients to ensure bridges are strong, safe and long lasting. In the UK, they may work for construction firms, consulting engineers or local government, and use computer modelling, hand drawing and surveying in their daily tasks.

Bridge Engineer

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

📊 Statistics

Typical salary in the UK

Starting salaries around 25,000 to 35,000 pounds per year for graduates, with experienced bridge engineers earning about 45,000 to 70,000 pounds per year, and senior roles or specialist positions reaching higher.

Job market

There are thousands of civil and structural engineering roles across the UK, with many opportunities in local councils, consultancies and construction firms, especially in big projects like bridges, tunnels and flood defences.

Work pattern

Bridge engineers often work on site visits, office design work, and project meetings. Flexible hours may be needed for inspections and deadlines, with some travel to project sites.

🚀 Careers in this path

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Bridge technician

A hands on role helping to inspect bridges, check for cracks and wear, and assist engineers during repairs and maintenance

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Civil engineering apprentice

An entry level role where you learn practical engineering skills on site while studying for a qualification

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Structural draughtsman

A technician who draws plans and sketches of bridge structures to help engineers plan and build safely

Stage 1: Learn the Basics

Stage 1 Step 1: Explore what a bridge does

Understand the purpose of bridges, how they carry loads and how they connect places.

Learn about different bridge types such as beam, arch and suspension. Look for simple examples in your area or in books and videos. This helps you picture how engineers solve real problems.

Stage 1 Step 2: Strength and materials

Find out what materials are used in bridges and why some are stronger or lighter than others.

Basic physics and materials knowledge helps you understand factors like strength, stiffness and durability. Start with steel, concrete and timber and imagine how climate and traffic affect them.

Stage 1 Step 3: Maths and drawing

Build confidence with maths and simple drawings used in engineering.

You will use numbers to estimate loads and simple sketches to communicate ideas. Practice measuring, tracing shapes, and reading basic diagrams.

Stage 2: Develop Technical Knowledge

Stage 2 Step 1: Learn about structural analysis

Understand how engineers test if a bridge will hold up under different loads.

Study simple concepts like load, force and equilibrium. You can use online simulations or school projects to see how changes affect safety.

Stage 2 Step 2: Get to grips with design software

Familiarise yourself with tools used by engineers to design bridges.

Many schools offer beginner CAD or modelling programs. Start with simple 2D drawings and gradually learn 3D models to represent components like girders and decks.

Stage 2 Step 3: Learn codes and safety

Understand the rules that guide safe bridge design in the UK.

Familiarise yourself with general safety principles and the idea that bridges must be safe in every weather and load condition. This helps you think like a responsible engineer.

Stage 3: Practical Experience

Stage 3 Step 1: Join a STEM club or take part in a project

Work with peers to design a small bridge model or participate in a local engineering project.

Projects build teamwork and problem solving. You can enter school science fairs or community clubs that focus on building or robotics.

Stage 3 Step 2: Seek work experience or holidays places

Look for constructive work experience or apprenticeship opportunities.

Ask local engineers, civil engineering firms or councils if they run insights days or mini placements. Even shadowing someone for a day helps you learn what a bridge project involves.

Stage 3 Step 3: Visit bridges and observe

Study local bridges to notice how design choices affect function and aesthetics.

Take notes on materials, shape, size and surroundings. Think about why a design was chosen and what maintenance might be needed over time.

Stage 4: Pathway to Qualification

Stage 4 Step 1: GCSEs and A Levels

Choose Maths and Physics to build essential skills for engineering.

A strong maths foundation helps with analysis and problem solving. Consider A Levels or equivalents in maths, physics and design technology if available.

Stage 4 Step 2: University degree

Study a degree in civil or structural engineering.

Look for accredited programmes that include practical projects and opportunities for placements. Some universities offer sandwich courses with work placements.

Stage 4 Step 3: Work placement and professional body

Gain hands on experience and join a professional engineer body.

A year in industry strengthens your skills and helps you build a network. After graduation you can register with a chartered body such as the UK Institution of Civil Engineers and begin your professional journey.

🎬 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
Matthew McCormack
1:49
Sponsored

Matthew McCormack

about 1 year ago
Expert Film: This is Adrian Davis-Johnston, who works as the Head of Research Development and Innovation for Nuvia. Adrian talks about how reflection can help us see.
2:14
Expert

Expert Film: This is Adrian Davis-Johnston, who works as the Head of Research Development and Innovation for Nuvia. Adrian talks about how reflection can help us see.

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.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

Bridge engineers are typically qualified as civil or structural engineers and focus on the design, analysis and supervision of bridge projects. This role aligns with civil engineering as a discipline that covers infrastructure, materials, load modelling and project management to ensure safe, durable structures.

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).

Interested in More Career Paths?

Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.

Browse All Careers Generate New Career Path

Stay connected

Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases

Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK

Phone
01603 273515

Email
[email protected]

Developing Experts

LessonsAboutResearchReportingPlans & Pricing

Legal

GDPRPrivacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsCookie Policy

Contact Us

Get in touchRequest SubscriptionChildren's CodeAbout UsCareers

Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.