Principal Engineer - Highways Development Control

Principal Engineer - Highways Development Control -

G11 - Salary: £51,356 to £54,495 per annum

At Walsall Council, we believe that people are at the heart of everything we do. Enabling safe, sustainable and reliable journeys to work, education, healthcare, family and friends is essential to reducing inequality and maximising opportunities. Investment in regeneration across Walsall and the Black Country presents exciting opportunities to enhance and future proof our transport network, taking a collaborative approach to the delivery of innovative and exciting projects.

Now we invite you to join us on our journey.

Our engineering teams are instrumental in the successful delivery of highways and transport services in Walsall. We are looking to recruit an experienced, self‑motivated Highways Development Control Principal Engineer who can take a leading technical role and contribute positively to the future success of the team.

We are looking for someone with significant highways experiences, ideally in a local authority setting. A strong customer focus is essential and the successful candidate will need to be able to work quickly and efficiently to solve problems and communicate solutions to internal and external parties.

The post holder will take day‑to‑day responsibility for:

• Taking a leading role in processing of full range of planning application consultations from small development to major regeneration schemes and review Transportation Assessments, Transport Statements, Travel Plans for control of development within set time limits, including the assessment of geometric layouts of new developments.
• Ensuring that the Council meets its obligations regarding a range of statutory processes including public rights of way, road adoptions, and maintenance of the Council’s highway records.
• Negotiating with developers to maximise financial contributions from development to effectively mitigate the impact on local transport systems and to help meet the borough’s long‑term transport infrastructure needs.
• Appraisal of information submitted to the Highways Authority and determine recommendations, including assessing junction capacity calculations, network impact assessments, road safety audits, and ensuring the Council meets its statutory duty under the Equalities Act 2010.
• Attend Planning Committee meetings, pre‑application and planning meetings, Walsall Development Team and provide advice on highway matters associated with planning applications.
• Provide advice on a day‑to‑day basis about development constraints and opportunities within the Borough. Managing of highway applications associated with highway development control process including dealing with S38, S278 applications under the Highways Act 1980
• Liaise with the Legal Services regarding planning and highways issues under S106, S38, S278 Agreements and other Licences and Orders in connection with highways development control process.
• Providing cost estimates for highway works associated with development control and Legal Obligation processes.
• Provide professional advice and assistance to developers with respect to Active Travel, sustainable development, highway design and construction issues.

This is a varied role with customer services and partnership working at its heart. If you’re ready for your next challenge, we’re ready to hear from you!

View Job Description and Employee Specification

Advert Closing Date: 25th March 2026

Important note: When completing your online application form, you will be asked to enter supporting information. You must enter a detailed supporting information statement describing how your skills, abilities and experience meet the specific criteria included in the employee specification. If you do not include a supporting information statement, you will not be shortlisted. Please also ensure that you complete the work history and qualifications sections of your application form.

Please do not add a CV as we do not accept them. Please see our Information for Applicants leaflet for further information.

We kindly request that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this job vacancy. We are not accepting agency applications or referrals at this time.

At Walsall Council, we appreciate that AI can be a useful tool for ideas or guidance. However, we encourage you to make sure your application reflects your own voice and experiences. Over‑reliance on AI can make responses feel less personal, and we really want to understand what makes you unique. Your experiences, skills, and perspective are what set you apart, so please ensure your application as a whole - particularly your ‘Supporting Information’ - reflects your own voice.

This post is covered by the Government’s Code of Practice on the English Language Fluency Duty for public sector workers. The post holder will be required to communicate verbally with customers and provide advice and/or information in accurate spoken English.