Job Description:

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.

• 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

• 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

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.