Highways Technical Lead / Associate Director (UK Wide)

Jacobs; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Well-being benefits

Volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Highways Technical Lead in Leeds to deliver complex highways design projects across the UK and globally. The role requires managing engineering design solutions, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and collaborating with global teams. The successful candidate will have relevant engineering qualifications and a passion for innovation in highway infrastructure design. Jacobs supports flexible working and values diversity, offering opportunities for professional development and well-being benefits.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing engineering design solutions in a Transportation setting.
• Relevant professional qualifications in engineering.
• Technical experience delivering highways projects or landside alignment elements.
• Thorough understanding of design standards and UK health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the technical direction of highways design solutions.
• Champion new working methods and enhance quality in delivery.
• Drive innovation by adopting efficient design practices.
• Collaborate with discipline leads globally for best practices.
• Forecast, manage scope and risk for successful project delivery.

Skills

Managing engineering design solutions in a transportation setting

Ability to work independently

Collaborating within a global multidisciplinary team

Understanding of UK health and safety legislation

Education

Degree in engineering, CEng/IEng, or equivalent

Job description

Overview

At Jacobs, we aim to reinvent tomorrow by solving critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, and cutting-edge manufacturing. As a Highways Technical Lead, you will be at the forefront of delivering complex highways design projects in the UK and globally, elevating technical excellence, influencing major programmes, and driving innovation in highway infrastructure design and delivery.

What you'll lead

• Take responsibility for the technical direction and successful delivery of highways design solutions—balancing engineering rigour, safety, innovation, and efficiency.
• Champion new ways of working, from digital tools to automation, identifying smarter processes that enhance quality and accelerate delivery.
• Lead technical delivery within programme, quality, and budget requirements.
• Drive innovation by adopting digital, automated, and efficient design practices.
• Collaborate globally with discipline leads to embed best practice across the project portfolio.
• Forecast, manage scope and risk, and ensure projects are set up for successful delivery.

About the opportunity

Jacobs is a market leader in transportation, working with major clients and global contractors on local and megaprojects. In the North, we deliver schemes for organisations such as Manchester Airport Group and United Utilities; in the Midlands and South-West, we engage with several local authorities and combined authorities. The role offers opportunities to work on impactful projects across diverse markets.

Required qualifications and experience

• Experience in managing engineering design solutions in a Transportation setting
• Relevant professional qualifications, such as a degree in engineering, CEng/IEng, or equivalent
• Technical experience delivering local and/or major highways projects or landside alignment elements in adjacent markets (e.g., Water or Aviation)
• Thorough understanding of commonly used design standards such as DMRB or international equivalents
• Sound knowledge of UK health and safety legislation and a passion for safety and wellbeing
• Ability to work independently and effectively within a global multidisciplinary team

Additional information

Jacobs values safety, inclusion, and belonging. We support flexible working arrangements and provide opportunities for well-being benefits, volunteering, and global collaboration. We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from diverse backgrounds. If you require reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process, please contact Careers Support.