Principal Highways Engineer

Overview

In this role you will lead the technical delivery of highways and infrastructure projects for local authorities and private clients, guiding design packages from feasibility through construction. You’ll work within a team to produce and check designs to UK standards and support junior staff while maintaining client relationships. The position combines design leadership, quality assurance, and project coordination to deliver impactful urban and transport schemes. This is a chance to shape high-impact infrastructure and active-travel projects in a collaborative, technically focused environment.

Pay / Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Professional development and ICE/CHIT training
• Collaborative team culture
• On-going CPD opportunities
• Supportive supervision and mentoring
• Structured career progression to Principal level

Responsibilities

• Deliver highways and infrastructure design projects across feasibility, preliminary, detailed design and construction support
• Produce and check designs per UK standards (DMRB, Manual for Streets, LTN 1/20, TSRGD)
• Act as project lead or deputy project engineer on highways schemes (junctions, active travel, bus priority, public realm, drainage)
• Oversee and participate in design/drawings preparation using AutoCAD/Civil 3D; prepare technical reports and tender docs
• Respond to technical queries during design and construction; liaise with contractors and site teams
• Support road safety audits, design reviews and technical approvals
• Manage allocated tasks, programmes and budgets with scope
• Liaise with clients, local authorities, statutory undertakers and internal stakeholders under PM/Associate guidance
• Support delivery under NEC3/NEC4 and other contracts; assist with change control and QA
• Provide day-to-day technical guidance to graduates/junior engineers; review work of less experienced staff
• Mentor staff and contribute to professional development objectives; promote good design practice and QA systems

Key requirements

• Degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
• Working toward Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status (IEng/CEng)
• Proven experience in highways and infrastructure design within a UK consultancy or local authority
• Good working knowledge of DMRB, Manual for Streets and LTN 1/20
• Experience delivering schemes for local authority clients and/or development-led projects
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

• Written and verbal communication
• Mentoring and coaching
• Cross-functional collaboration
• DMRB, Manual for Streets, LTN 1/20 knowledge
• Highway design experience (junctions, drainage, traffic)
• Active travel schemes design

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