Associate Highways and Drainage Engineer
Are you an experienced Associate Highways and Drainage Engineer who enjoys leading technically strong teams, shaping great design, and helping clients unlock development sites? In this role you will take ownership of infrastructure packages for major housing and urban extension schemes, with the autonomy to drive solutions from early feasibility through to delivery.
Responsibilities
In this Associate Highways and Drainage Engineer position, you will be doing things like:
- Leading the highways and drainage design for large strategic housing sites (predominantly across Hampshire).
- Managing and coordinating design inputs across internal disciplines and external partners to meet programme and client expectations.
- Overseeing technical delivery using current UK design standards and guidance (e.g., DMRB, MCHW, Manual for Streets, LTN 1/20).
- Producing and reviewing high‑quality drawings, technical notes, specifications and reports.
- Steering technical submissions and approvals, including Section 38, Section 278 and relevant drainage/highway adoption processes.
- Liaising with local authorities, planning teams, utility providers and other key stakeholders to resolve constraints.
- Supporting project management activity including scope control, programme awareness, and contribution to commercial performance.
- Providing direction, mentoring and line management to a small technical team, supporting development and performance.
Qualifications
To succeed as an Associate Highways and Drainage Engineer you’ll need:
- A degree (or higher qualification) in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Chartered status (CEng) with ICE or CIHT (or be very close with a clear plan).
- Significant UK highways infrastructure experience across feasibility, detailed design and delivery (typically around 10+ years).
- Strong working knowledge of design standards and the ability to apply them pragmatically.
- Proven experience managing client relationships and translating requirements into buildable solutions.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary teams and coordinating with external stakeholders.
- Confidence producing structured technical documents, correspondence and submissions.
- On‑site experience monitoring/supervising works and ensuring compliance with agreed designs/specs.
- Understanding of CDM Regulations and day‑to‑day health & safety responsibilities.
- A full UK driving licence to attend sites/meetings where public transport isn’t practical.
- Solid IT skills (Microsoft Word/Excel/Outlook as a minimum).
Salary & Benefits
- Competitive salary (dependent on experience).
- 25 days annual leave (with increases linked to length of service).
- Pension scheme.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- Professional subscription support.
- Group life assurance and income protection.
- Private medical cover.
- Flexible/hybrid working approach within the office requirements.
Progression, Development and Location
- Clear opportunity to step into or operate at Associate Highways and Drainage Engineer level, with responsibility for a small team and wider resource coordination.
- Supportive environment for ongoing professional development and leadership growth.
- You’ll be primarily based in Aldershot with weekly presence in Waterlooville, reflecting the needs of the projects and local client base.
Footnote
If you feel that you are right for this role technically, but the salary, location or seniority does not suit you specifically then please still feel free to send us your CV. We constantly recruit for roles very similar to this one at all levels UK wide and are always keen to chat with you discreetly about your employment situation. Even if you are happy in your current role for now, we always welcome calls from Highways, Infrastructure & Transportation professionals keen to make introductions for future months or years. Carrington West’s Highways, Transport & Infrastructure division is the fastest growing in the country. Please call Eve Armstrong at Carrington West for more information.
By applying for this position, you are agreeing for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will be shared with third‑party clients specifically relevant to any roles you have applied for. If at any stage you wish to withdraw your consent, please contact us.