Application Deadline: 21 May 2026
Department: Engineering
Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time
Location: Sunderland
Our Business
pxFairport (pxF) is a project delivery specialist offering full turnkey EPC and OEM solutions to the bulk material handling and plant processing markets. Our services cover the aggregates, processing, tunnelling, mining, quarrying, alternative fuels, waste-to-energy, ports, and food sectors, globally. With unrivalled industry expertise, pxF manages, specifies, engineers, designs, supplies, installs, operates, and maintains market leading equipment for complex material handling needs, guaranteeing performance excellence, reliability, and optimal operating costs.
The Opportunity
We are now recruiting for a Structural Designer to join our team in our Sunderland office.
The primary purpose of the Structural Designer role is to design structures and steelwork to the specified brief and produce the associated technical documentation, drawings, 3D models, bill of material and fabrication packs.
You’ll be supported with personalised on the job training, coaching, mentoring and twice-yearly development and performance reviews to help maintain & develop your contributions and competence.
• Design and develop structures and steelwork to the specified brief.
• Produce 3D models and technical drawings in accordance with company CAD standards.
• Produce technical documentation in accordance with company standards.
• Manage drawings, models, bill of materials, and technical documents using company systems.
• Undertake peer reviews of colleagues’ work (designs, drawings, documentation, etc.).
• Attend design review meetings.
• Ensure design compliance with the project / task brief, relevant standards, and regulations.
• Carry out analysis of designs with a view to improving safety, DfMA, and functionality.
• Promote value engineering, standardisation, risk reduction, and a right-first-time approach.
• Undertake site visits and surveys to support successful delivery of projects.
• Provide support to other areas of the business when design knowledge or skills are required.
• Provide support and guidance to junior team members when required.
• Support the rectification of any NCR raised against the department.
• Participate & contribute to any lessons learned and continuous improvement meetings.
• Support the development of processes to improve efficiency and project delivery.
• Deliver work in alignment with the business’ ISO 9001 processes and templates as controlled within
• the Quality Management System (COS).
• Engage with the performance review process and take actions to address areas for improvement.
• Drive overall departmental / business objectives year-on-year.
• Qualified in a relevant design or engineering discipline to either HNC or degree level.
• Experience as a Structural Designer.
• Knowledge of bulk material handling, conveyor systems, and associated structures.
• Good 3D CAD software knowledge (Tekla Structures preferred).
• Basic Common Data Environment knowledge (Trimble Connect preferred).
• Good knowledge of detailing steelwork and drafting standards.
• Good understanding of the design process, and its associated documentation.
• Good knowledge of manufacturing processes associated with structural steel fabrication.
• Good knowledge of structural design standards and regulations.
• Good understanding of structural design principles.
• Good understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
• Basic understanding of checking designs, drawings, models, and technical documentation.
• Proficient at using Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to clearly communicate design ideas.
• Ability to work on multiple projects / tasks.
• A high attention to detail and committed to quality performance / output.
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Contribution towards eye test and glasses
Online company discount benefits site including cinema tickets and gym membership discount
Long Service Awards
Employee recognition scheme – ELITE Awards
Employee Assistance Programme
Flexible Benefits Package
Onsite parking
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
Please note this role may close early or be extended depending on the volume of applications.
px Group is a fully integrated infrastructure solutions business which delivers net zero and stakeholder success through elite performance in the safety, availability, reliability and efficiency of energy infrastructure, industrial processes and related commercial activities - unlocking value for our customers as a trusted partner. Part of the Ara Partners portfolio of companies, Ara Partners is a private equity firm specialising in industrial decarbonisation investments.
Operating on a 24/7 basis, providing services at this level requires professionalism and competence coupled with a safety and environmentally conscious mind set to deliver operational excellence.
This capability has been shaped by a 25 year history in managing, operating and maintaining some of Europe’s most significant industrial infrastructure including two of the UK’s largest and most strategic gas processing facilities.
px Group also owns Saltend Chemicals Park at the heart of the UK’s Energy Estuary in the Humber, home to several world-leading manufacturing businesses such as Mitsubishi Chemicals, INEOS, and Vivergo Fuels and the location for Equinor’s hydrogen production plant with carbon capture, the anchor project for Zero Carbon Humber. This introduction of hydrogen at our Saltend Park, and our continuous search with all current and new industrial users for further synergies in energy and resource use will help to transform the park into a future proof Green Energy Park.
We are committed to the Energy Transition, and reducing emissions across all our operations, including the sites we manage and operate on behalf of our clients. We are growing internationally and are involved in some of the newest flagship waste-to-fuels projects including ReNew’s plastic recycling plant in Teesside and GIDARA Energy’s advanced biofuels facility in Amsterdam which will convert non-recyclable waste into bio-methanol.
