Role: Civil Engineering Lead Inside IR35 contract Location: South East UK (office based) Duration - one year renewable contract - (anticipated 2 year duration) Key experience - Client side / operator experience managing design scopes of engineering contractor Start date: Immediate We are recruiting for an experienced Lead Civil Engineer to join a client-side Project Management Team (PMT) supporting a major integrated refining and petrochemical development of over $15bn. This is a high-profile pre-FEED role where you will act on behalf of the project owner, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost-effective design delivery by the engineering contractor. Engineering Leadership & Strategy Provide civil engineering leadership aligned with project objectives and strategies Support risk-based decision-making and ensure risks are clearly understood and communicated Collaborate with project management and contractor teams to refine technical concepts Design Optimization & Value Improvement Drive capital efficiency and value improvement initiatives Recommend and evaluate design alternatives to optimize cost and schedule Ensure appropriate qualification and assessment of new technologies Standards & Technical Governance Own and develop engineering standards, specifications, and design philosophies Ensure contractor compliance with project and industry standards Contribute to technical definition and FEL (Front-End Loading) maturity Contractor Oversight & Deliverables Provide oversight of contractor design, deliverables, and technical outputs Review engineering documents (calculations, drawings, models, specifications) Participate in technical evaluations for FEED/EPC contracts Experience & Qualifications 15 years of relevant civil/structural engineering experience Strong background in onshore downstream, refining, or chemical facilities Experience across both operator (owner) and contractor environments Proven expertise in: Engineering standards and design philosophies Risk-based technical decision-making Large-scale modular project execution Familiarity with: Heavy oil upgrading, hydroprocessing, sour gas, ethylene, or utilities Experience with Middle East projects is advantageous Key Competencies Strong technical leadership and problem-solving skills Ability to manage ambiguity and complex engineering challenges Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement Experience working in multicultural and JV environments