Senior Highways Engineer

We’re working with a medium-sized civil engineering consultancy experiencing steady growth. The highways team works across local authority, private developer and regional trunk road projects — from feasibility and planning through detailed design and site support. They pride ourselves on technical excellence, friendly culture and giving engineers real ownership of their work and career progression.

The role
We’re looking for a Senior Highways Engineer to join their expanding highways & transportation team. You’ll lead design and technical delivery of medium to large projects, mentor junior staff, liaise with clients and stakeholders, and help shape our service offering as we grow. This is a hands-on role with responsibility for design quality, programme delivery and commercial performance.

Key responsibilities -

• Lead and deliver highway and infrastructure design packages (feasibility, planning, detailed design, construction support).
• Produce and review technical design outputs (layouts, longitudinal/cross sections, drainage strategies, S278/S38 submissions).
• Coordinate multidisciplinary input (drainage, structures, traffic, environmental) and manage client/stakeholder queries.
• Prepare programme, cost estimates and fee proposals; manage project budgets and project teams.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers — provide technical coaching and undertake performance reviews.
• Ensure designs comply with UK standards and guidance (e.g. DMRB, Manual for Streets, local authority standards) and CDM regulations.
• Undertake site visits, supervise contractor queries and provide technical support during construction.
• Contribute to business development: prepare tender documents, technical inputs to proposals and present to prospective clients.

Essential skills & experience -

• Chartered or working towards chartership (CEng or IEng) with a recognised institution (ICE, IHE, CIHT or equivalent).
• Minimum 5+ years’ highways design experience within a consultancy or contractor environment.
• Proven experience delivering residential, commercial or highway improvement schemes from concept to construction.
• Strong technical knowledge of highway geometry, drainage (surface water / attenuation), pavement materials and design principles.
• Confident in client management and stakeholder engagement.
• Competent user of design software such as AutoCAD / Civil 3D, MicroDrainage (or equivalent), and engineering calculation tools.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills; high attention to detail.
• Full UK driving licence.

Desirable -

• Experience with S278 / S38 agreements, Section 104, or similar adoption agreements.
• Familiarity with traffic modelling tools (VISSIM, LINSIG) or trip generation/assignment (TRICS).
• Experience of working with local authorities and regional highways agencies.
• Knowledge of BIM/3D workflows and CDEs.
• Previous responsibility for mentoring and technical leadership.