Principal Engineer - Highways and Infrastructure

Our client, is seeking a Principal Engineer - Highways and Infrastructure to join their team on a contract basis. This role demands a professional who can lead, manage, and deliver highways and infrastructure projects from inception to completion, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and high design standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead and be accountable for the development and delivery of highways and infrastructure projects
Operate with little supervision, taking full ownership of decision-making and outcomes
Manage and coordinate multiple projects/programmes simultaneously
Lead and manage multi-disciplinary design teams, both internal and external
Provide strategic direction and technical leadership across all schemes
Ensure compliance with Local Authority governance processes
Engage confidently in a politically sensitive environment
Lead stakeholder engagement, including funding bodies
Develop, secure, and manage external funding and business cases
Oversee and approve scheme estimates, budgets, cost control, and financial reporting
Lead procurement processes and manage consultant and contractor performance
Provide technical assurance and sign-off on all highways and drainage designs
Ensure designs are buildable and aligned with delivery constraints
Manage programme, risk, and resource allocation across all schemes
Apply and oversee the use of highways design standards
Maintain oversight of transport modelling inputs and scheme impacts
Lead public consultation and stakeholder engagement strategies
Ensure successful scheme delivery on-site, including resolution of complex issues
Mentor and support Senior Engineers and wider team members

Job Requirements:

Experience in leading highways and infrastructure projects
Strong knowledge of highways design standards such as DMRB, MfS2, LTN 1/20, among others
Proven ability to manage and coordinate multiple large-scale projects
Exceptional decision-making and problem-solving skills
Ability to engage with stakeholders and operate in a politically sensitive environment
Strong financial management and project management skills
Experience in mentoring and supporting junior staff

Project Details:

The schemes will range in value from approximately £100k up to £5m and will require delivery within defined programme, funding, and resource constraints. A strong focus will be placed on ensuring that projects are delivered efficiently, on time, and within budget, while maintaining high standards of design quality and compliance.

The successful candidates will be expected to lead on the development and delivery of projects across the full lifecycle, from early feasibility, option development and design, through to procurement, construction, and final delivery. This will include responsibility for key project management activities such as programme planning, risk management, financial monitoring, and overall scheme coordination.

The roles will also require close collaboration with junior council officers, providing guidance and technical support, while working alongside external consultants, contractors, and other stakeholders. The ability to operate effectively within a multi-disciplinary team environment and balance technical design input with practical delivery considerations will be essential to ensure that schemes are both buildable and aligned with wider organisational objectives.
If you are a skilled highways professional looking to take on a challenging and rewarding role, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our client's dynamic and expert team