Principal Highways & Infrastructure Engineer

In this Principal Engineer role, you lead highway and drainage design within a growing highways team, supporting delivery from feasibility through detailed design. You work closely with private and public clients to secure approvals and ensure safe, efficient project outcomes. You mentor junior staff, manage project performance, and represent the firm at senior client-facing levels. The position combines technical leadership with business delivery, shaping major highway infrastructure for the South of England. You will be empowered to innovate, manage risk, and drive project success across multiple initiatives.

• Hybrid working
• Flexi time
• Bonus scheme
• Private healthcare
• Car/car allowance
• Wide range of flexible benefits

• Oversee financial, technical, and project management aspects of civil engineering deliverables
• Direct and develop Engineers and Technicians on projects
• Lead highway and drainage design efforts ensuring compliance with standards (Local Design Guides, MFS, DMRB)
• Produce and coordinate technical packages, drawings, and applications
• Coordinate AutoCAD and Civil 3D models and drawings with the project team
• Liaise with clients and design teams to ensure fully coordinated designs
• Prepare technical outputs (drawings, specifications, cost estimates, contract documents, reports)
• Prepare scopes, briefs, proposals, and deliverables for new projects
• Demonstrate leadership and mentor junior colleagues
• Identify and maintain client relationships; take commercial responsibility for projects
• Ensure on-time, on-budget, quality delivery and conformance to contractual requirements
• Present to clients and stakeholders; represent the company externally at senior levels
• Perform site visits to monitor progress and address issues with contractors or clients

• Civil Engineering experience in a consultancy environment
• Experience delivering highway and drainage design including S278/38 processes
• Hands-on highway design experience on major and minor projects; solid design principles
• Knowledge of DMRB, MCHW, MfS, TSM, Local Authority guides
• Strong understanding of health and safety, CDM principles
• Proficient IT skills with AutoCAD/Civil 3D and related civil engineering software
• Project management experience with responsibility for financial aspects of projects
• Ability to propose innovative, value-driven solutions
• Excellent communication skills with clients and internal teams
• Experience in line managing and mentoring delivery teams
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse design teams and stakeholders
• Strong technical report writing and fee proposal preparation

• Leadership and mentoring
• Client-facing presentation skills
• Collaborative teamwork
• AutoCAD
• Civil 3D
• S278/38 approvals