Highways And Drainage Principal Engineer

Calibre Search; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in London is seeking a Principal Highways & Drainage Engineer to manage highways and drainage projects. This role involves mentoring junior staff, liaising with clients, and overseeing project delivery. Ideal candidates should have proven experience in UK infrastructure design and relevant software proficiency. Competitive salary and hybrid working arrangements are offered, alongside strong professional development opportunities.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid and flexible working

Professional development support

Inclusive, friendly culture

Qualifications

• Strong technical grounding in infrastructure design.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Chartered or near-Chartered status (CEng, MICE, or MCIHT) is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver highway and drainage infrastructure projects.
• Lead and mentor junior engineers and technicians.
• Liaise with clients and local authorities for design solutions.
• Prepare and review fee proposals and project documentation.
• Oversee financial and contractual aspects of projects.

Skills

Proven experience in UK highway and drainage design

Strong understanding of DMRB and Manual for Streets

Experience preparing Flood Risk Assessments

Commercial awareness in project bids

Proficiency in design software (Civil 3D, MicroDrainage)

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Civil 3D

MicroDrainage

Job description

Overview

Principal Highways & Drainage Engineer - London

Are you an experienced Infrastructure Engineer looking for more autonomy, influence, and opportunity to shape the built environment? We're working with a respected and growing consultancy that's looking to appoint a Principal Highways & Drainage Engineer to help deliver an expanding portfolio of infrastructure and regeneration projects across the UK. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven engineer to take a leading role in a collaborative, design-led environment with real scope for career development and progression.

Responsibilities

• Managing and delivering a range of highway and drainage infrastructure projects for public and private sector clients.
• Leading and mentoring junior engineers and technicians, ensuring quality and consistency across all project outputs.
• Liaising with clients, architects, and local authorities to develop and deliver design solutions that meet and exceed expectations.
• Preparing and reviewing fee proposals, project scopes, and technical documentation.
• Overseeing financial and contractual aspects of project delivery.

About You

You'll bring a strong technical grounding in infrastructure design, alongside excellent communication and leadership skills.

• Proven experience in UK highway and drainage design, including S38, S278 and public realm schemes.
• Strong understanding of DMRB, Manual for Streets, and local authority design standards.
• Experience preparing Flood Risk Assessments and drainage strategies, with knowledge of SuDS approval and adoption processes.
• Commercial awareness and experience in preparing and managing project bids.
• Proficiency in relevant design software (such as Civil 3D, MicroDrainage, or similar).
• A degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent) and Chartered or near-Chartered status (CEng, MICE, or MCIHT).

The Employer

Our client is an independent, specialist consultancy with a growing team of transport planners and infrastructure engineers. They pride themselves on a collaborative culture, flexible working, and a strong reputation for delivering technically excellent projects.

You'll enjoy

• A close-knit, supportive team environment.
• Direct involvement in decision-making and project ownership.
• Ongoing professional development and mentorship from experienced Directors.
• Genuine opportunities to progress as the team continues to grow.

Salary & Benefits

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience)
• Hybrid and flexible working
• Professional development support
• Inclusive, friendly culture

How to apply

If interested in this position, but perhaps would like to find out more before formally applying, please contact Taylor Smith at Calibre Search Manchester.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age. We act as both an employment agency and employment business.