Principal Civil Engineer - Bridges

Posted Tuesday 3 March 2026 at 01:00 | Expires Tuesday 24 March 2026 at 00:59

We’re one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We’re looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

The Principal Engineer (Highway Structures) is a key role in the Asset Management Team and is responsible for delivering a specialist technical engineering function to provide the Trust with internal professional expertise relating to our Highway Structures (Bridges) portfolio, including nearly 900 Public Road Bridges and 3 000+ more variations. These include:

• F ixed Bridges.
• Moveable Bridges:
  Swing/ Turn bridges : & Lift/Bascule Bridges.
• Specialized Towpath Bridges:
  Turnover (Snake) & Split Bridges.

This role follows a 37 hours , Monday to Friday working pattern . The Principal Engineer opportunity will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required . Regular travel across our network will be required . See here:

Relevant Hubs:

Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester.

A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

In this exciting role, you’ll lead the charge in keeping our bridges and highway structures safe, reliable and future ‑ ready. From delivering critical inspections and driving modern asset management, to shaping standards, influencing planning and providing expert technical advice, you’ll make a real impact every day. You’ll represent the Trust across the industry, guide a talented team, champion our values, and help create an inclusive environment where great engineering — and great people — can thrive.

• Accountable for the management of significant infrastructure risk through the delivery of an integrated asset management system to improve asset condition, safety and performance.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of the Trust’s bridge and highway structures Asset Management Strategies.
• Improve the Trust’s adoption of DMRB requirements and contribute to relevant Design Guidance, Standards and Specifications.
• Represent the Trust within professional forums to develop collaborative relationships, share best practice and protect the Trust’s interests.
• Delivery of the Trust’s Public Road Bridge Inspection programme.
• Undertake inspections of Bridges and Highway Structures with some confined space working.
• Deliver inspections to plan, ensuring data is reviewed, approved, recorded and maintained in the prescribed format and to the prescribed quality.
• Act as the Trust’s Technical Approval Authority (TAA) for Bridges and Highway Structures.
• Provide specialist technical advice to both in-house and external design and delivery teams.
• Provide specialist technical advice to support the Trust’s response to Planning Consultations and the management of Third-Party Works.
• Providing effective leadership to a small team of engineers and inspectors to create a high performing team which is inspired to achieve the Trust’s objectives .
• Ensure that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promote inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions.
• Where appropriate participate in the Trust‘s “Stand-by” and” Call-out” rotas.

We welcome applicants with hands on experience in bridge and highway inspections, infrastructure risk management, technical problem solving , and leading high performing teams — plus a commitment to safety, collaboration and inclusive working.

• Chartered Civil Engineer (
  
  C.Eng MICE) or…