Company Overview
Solarport is the UK’s leading solar infrastructure company, specialising in the design, production, and distribution of high-quality solar mounting systems. We are committed to providing sustainable energy solutions through cutting-edge technology and innovation, maintaining excellence in all aspects of our operations whilst driving positive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) outcomes across our business. With a strong focus on quality, safety, and sustainability, we partner with developers, EPCs, and asset owners to deliver high-performance mounting systems and installation services across the UK and beyond.
Role Overview
- We are seeking a highly capable and detail-driven Structural Engineer to join our Product Innovation team. The Product Innovation Structural Engineer plays a key role in the development of Solarport’s next-generation mounting systems by providing advanced structural analysis, design validation, optimisation, and technical rigour across all innovation projects.
- You will support the full R&D lifecycle, from early-stage feasibility and concept development through detailed structural analysis, prototyping, physical testing, and final checks for release. Working alongside Mechanical Engineers, Manufacturing and external partners, you will ensure every new system and component meets the highest standards of strength, stability, durability, and compliance.
- This is a pivotal role for an engineer who wants to directly influence Solarport’s structural design evolution, particularly around steel reduction, load-path optimisation, system performance, and the development of next-generation solar and storage products.
Key Responsibilities
Structural Analysis, Engineering Calculations & Validation
- Perform detailed structural analysis for new and existing product systems using Eurocodes, British Standards, and relevant international codes.
- Conduct calculations for wind, snow, seismic, and terrain loading, including uplift, overturning, lateral stability, buckling, and combined actions.
- Develop, review, and optimise structural load paths for new components and system architectures.
- Undertake FEA (linear and non-linear where necessary) to validate mechanical concepts, stresses, deflections, and connection behaviour.
- Provide engineering rationale, safety factors, and structural justification for each design stage.
Product Development & Design Support
- Work with Mechanical Engineers to convert concepts into structurally sound designs ready for prototyping.
- Influence system architecture for all new products.
- Recommend material choices, thicknesses, coatings, fasteners, profiles, and fabrication approaches to improve strength-to-weight performance.
- Support steel-reduction initiatives by applying structural optimisation methods and value-engineering principles.
Prototype Testing, Field Trials & Data Interpretation
- Collaborate across the company to plan, run, and observe structural tests, including load testing, fatigue testing, deflection measurement, and material trials.
- Interpret test data and translate findings into engineering updates or design improvements.
- Validate structural performance through combined modelling, physical tests, and real-world installation feedback.
Structural Documentation, Technical Verification & Sign-Off
- Produce clear and accurate structural calculation packs, design notes, testing summaries, and technical reports.
- Participate in peer review, internal checking processes, and multi-disciplinary design reviews.
- Support technical sign-off for systems reaching market-ready stages through the Innovation stage-gate process.
- Maintain strict engineering traceability, revision control, and compliance documentation.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with external partners and departments across the business to ensure structural designs are practical, buildable, and economically viable.
- Collaborate with Geotechnical Engineers on foundation suitability, soil interaction, pull-out capacity, and anchorage solutions.
- Liaise with external structural consultants, testing houses, and certification bodies as needed.
- Provide structural insight to relevant teams across the business when evaluating new customer requirements or site conditions.
Research & Development
- Stay current with engineering methods, materials innovation, coatings technology, and evolving Eurocode guidance.
- Research advanced structural concepts, new connection technologies, and emerging global best practices for solar structures.
- Contribute to IP creation by identifying novel structural solutions suitable for patent submission.
R&D Tax Credit & Engineering Governance Support
- Maintain structural documentation required for R&D tax credit submissions and support Finance with the structural elements of the claim.
ESG & Sustainability Leadership
- Embed ESG principles into structural design, including material optimisation, longer service life, and reduced carbon footprint.
- Support the development of lighter, stronger, and more efficient structures that minimise environmental impact.
- Provide structural input into sustainability reporting and lifecycle improvement initiatives.
Continuous Improvement
- Drive a culture of analytical rigour, engineering excellence, and continuous improvement. Identify opportunities to enhance tools, calculations, testing methods, standards, and best practices across the Product Innovation function.
Key Requirements
- Chartered Structural Engineer (CEng MIStructE) – this is an essential requirement for the role.
- Strong understanding of Eurocode-based structural analysis, particularly EC0, EC1, EC3, and EC9.
- Experience designing steel structures, connections, brackets, cold-formed sections, or modular systems.
- Proficiency with structural analysis tools (e.g., Dlubal, Mathcad, Tekla Tedds, Robot, STAAD, or equivalent).
- Experience using FEA software for stress and deflection analysis.
- Ability to interpret geotechnical information and integrate findings into structural design.
- Excellent technical reasoning, analytical skills, and problem-solving capabilities.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally.
- Organised, methodical, and able to manage multiple workstreams in a rapidly evolving engineering environment.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience in the solar PV sector, steel fabrication, modular construction, or renewable infrastructure.
- Familiarity with fatigue analysis, dynamic loading, or structural testing methods.
- Experience supporting certification processes or external product compliance.
- Knowledge of fastener design, corrosion protection, coatings, and material behaviour.
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
Work Location: Remote
