Principal Highways Engineer

Role Overview

My client, a well-established highways and transportation consultancy, is seeking a Senior / Principal Highways Engineer to join their growing Infrastructure Design team in Greater Bristol.

This senior role provides technical leadership and oversight in the management and delivery of a wide range of highway and infrastructure schemes across the UK.

You will lead complex development-led projects from concept through to construction, support junior engineers, and act as a key technical and client-facing representative for the business.

The role involves leadership and technical input across a diverse portfolio of schemes, including:

• Town and city regeneration projects
• Retail parks and supermarkets
• Residential developments and urban extensions
• Education and healthcare developments
• Employment schemes, including offices and distribution centres

• Lead the design, management, and delivery of highway and infrastructure schemes from feasibility through to completion.
• Act as technical authority for Section 278 and Section 38 highway schemes, including liaison, negotiation, approvals, and adoption processes with statutory authorities.
• Review and oversee Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) design to ensure compliance with current standards and best practice.
• Apply expert knowledge of drainage agreements including Sections 104 and 106.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, external consultants, contractors, and statutory bodies to deliver integrated infrastructure solutions.
• Maintain strong working relationships with approving authorities and key stakeholders.
• Provide senior-level technical input during construction phases, including site monitoring and engineering decision-making.
• Represent the consultancy in client meetings and technical discussions.
• Mentor and support engineers within the team, contributing to technical development and capability growth.
• Manage multiple projects independently, ensuring programme, quality, and commercial objectives are achieved.

• Extensive experience in highways and infrastructure design within a UK consultancy environment.
• Proven track record delivering Section 278 and Section 38 highway schemes.
• Strong experience delivering projects from concept through to construction, including site supervision.
• Expert knowledge of Flood Risk Assessments and SuDS design.
• Strong understanding of current highways and drainage standards and approval processes.
• In‑depth knowledge of Sections 104 and 106 drainage agreements.
• Excellent communication and client‑facing skills.
• Ability to work autonomously and provide technical leadership across multiple schemes.

• AutoCAD
• Auto Track
• PDS
• PDS Line
• PDS Sign
• Experience with Micro Drainage (Causeway Flow acceptable).
• Experience using Lighting Reality software.
• Chartered status (CEng or IEng), or demonstrable progress toward chartership.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an employee-owned company and take ownership of major infrastructure schemes while contributing to the growth, technical excellence, and long-term success of the business.

Regrettably, visa sponsorship cannot be provided for this role. Candidates must therefore have existing eligibility to work in the UK.