Construction and Building Services Recruitment

Engineers for civils, structures, M&E and building services

Engineering recruitment for Scottish construction

Construction employs engineers at every stage of a project, from design and estimating to site delivery and building services commissioning. In Scotland that includes public sector and housing programmes, commercial development in the cities, and the civil engineering behind energy, transport and water infrastructure.

Most contractors, consultancies and M&E firms are based in and around Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Central Belt, but infrastructure projects take engineers across the whole country, from grid and hydro schemes in the Highlands to road and rail upgrades on the main trunk routes.

The skills contractors and consultancies need

Employers most often struggle to find mechanical and electrical engineers for building services, site and project engineers with Scottish project experience, and estimators who can price structural and fabrication packages accurately. Gas and heating engineers are also in steady demand as the move to low carbon heating gathers pace.

Energy efficiency retrofit and heat networks are creating building services roles, where mechanical and electrical engineers who understand heat pumps, controls and commissioning are increasingly sought after.

Scotland’s building standards and procurement rules differ from those in England, and a lot of public sector work runs through frameworks. Engineers who already know building warrants, completion certificates and framework delivery are usually quicker to get up to speed on a Scottish project.

View engineering jobs
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Construction engineering roles we recruit

  • Site engineers and project engineers
  • Civil and structural engineers
  • Mechanical and electrical (M&E) building services engineers
  • Gas and heating service engineers
  • Estimating engineers
  • Design engineers and CAD technicians
  • Contracts, project and construction managers

Recent roles on our engineering jobs board have included a Gas Service Engineer for a boiler manufacturer and a Design Engineer for general engineering and structural fabrication.

Welder at work with sparks flying

Where the work is

Most construction engineering jobs are in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Lanarkshire, where contractors, consultancies and M&E firms are based, with infrastructure work taking engineers across the rest of Scotland. Every area we cover is on our engineering recruitment locations page.

Related sectors

Building services work relies on electrical engineering skills, infrastructure projects increasingly serve energy and renewables, and structural steel links construction to manufacturing and fabrication.

Next steps

Contractors and consultancies can see how we support employers or send us the details of a package. Site and building services engineers can search our engineering job listings or explore our other recruitment sectors.

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How we recruit for construction employers

Transferable skills

Engineers often move between contractors, consultancies, manufacturers and clients. We look at the projects and responsibilities behind each CV so you can see who would transfer well from an allied part of the industry.

Cards and competence

Site roles depend on the right cards and qualifications, such as CSCS, SMSTS or Gas Safe registration. We confirm these early, along with driving licence and travel expectations for multi-site roles.

Project pipeline in mind

Hiring in construction follows project awards. We work to your start dates and help you line up engineers for a package before it goes to site, not after.

Construction engineering salaries in Scotland

Salary ranges in Scotland for the key engineering roles in this sector, from our Scottish Engineering Salary Guide 2026.

RoleSalary range in ScotlandWhat pays at the top of the range
Civil Engineer£38,000 to £60,000Water and hydraulics; principal-level infrastructure
Structural Engineer£40,000 to £75,000Chartered engineers in consultancy
Estimating Engineer£40,000 to £80,000M&E estimating; senior main contractor and civils estimating
Project Engineer£45,000 to £85,000HV transmission; distillery and other capital projects
Design Engineer£35,000 to £70,000Offshore and subsea equipment design; electrical design for power and renewables

Basic salary for permanent roles, 2026. See the full salary guide for all 17 roles.

Recent engineering placements

Design Engineer, West of Scotland Fabrication Business How we placed a Design Engineer with an established fabrication and machining business in the west of Scotland, in 4 weeks. Quality Manager, Central Belt Fabrication Business How we placed a Quality Manager with a welding and fabrication business in the Central Belt, in 6 weeks. Estimating Engineer, Specialist Engineered Products Manufacturer How we placed an Estimating Engineer with a Central Belt manufacturer of specialist engineered products for marine, defence and energy projects, in 6 weeks.

See all case studies

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to fill an engineering vacancy?

Most engineering assignments take 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how complex the role is. Recent examples include a Maintenance Engineer placed in 3 weeks and a Quality Manager placed in 6 weeks. We give you an honest view of the likely timescale when we take the brief.

How do you screen engineering candidates?

Every engineer is interviewed by phone and on a Teams video call before you see a CV. Each CV comes with a written summary of the engineer's background, why they are looking and their salary expectations, so you only see people with the right skills, experience and motivation.

What are your fees and terms?

We agree terms for each assignment rather than publishing a standard rate, because the right structure depends on the role and how you want to hire. Terms include a free candidate replacement guarantee. Call 01698 464 099 to discuss your vacancy.

Which engineering roles do you recruit?

Quality, design, manufacturing, maintenance, estimating, project, electrical, mechanical, process, automation, civil and structural engineers, along with engineering managers and directors.

Which areas of Scotland do you cover?

All of Scotland, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Stirling, Falkirk, Perth, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Fife, West Lothian and Renfrewshire, from our office at Strathclyde Business Park, Bellshill.

How long has Engineering Recruit Scotland been running?

Engineering Recruit Scotland was set up in 2020. Our directors have spent 25 years recruiting engineers for employers across Scotland.

Tell us about your vacancy

Send us the details and a senior consultant will call you back to talk through the role, the market and how quickly we can find the right engineer.

Prefer to talk it through? Call 01698 464 099.

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Need to hire an engineer?

Call us or tell us about your vacancy, and we will give you an honest view of how quickly we can help.

Tell us about your vacancy Call 01698 464 099