Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide)

Jacobs; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader to oversee complex civil engineering projects across the UK. In this role, you will lead and mentor a team, drive technical excellence, and ensure safety in design. You should possess relevant professional qualifications in engineering, along with strong communication skills and experience in delivering highways projects. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of transport infrastructure and make a global impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing engineering design solutions in transportation.
• Relevant professional qualifications such as a degree in engineering.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex civil engineering projects.
• Mentor a team of designers and coordinate delivery.
• Ensure safety in design and champion innovation.

Skills

Managing engineering design solutions in transportation

Interpersonal and communication skills

Leading small project teams

Understanding design standards (DMRB)

UK H&S legislation knowledge

Education

Degree in engineering

Professional qualifications (CEng/IEng)

Job description

Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide)

As a Principal Engineer or Associate Director in our Highways team, you'll play a pivotal role in leading the delivery of complex civil engineering projects while shaping the future of transport infrastructure across the UK and beyond. You'll drive technical excellence and ensure safety in design, championing innovation and identifying opportunities for automation and process efficiencies in every aspect of our work.

You'll lead and mentor a team of designers, coordinate the delivery of highways design solutions within programme and budget constraints, and collaborate with global discipline leads to deliver integrated, best‑practice services to our clients. You'll also be responsible for generating accurate project forecasts and escalating scope changes that impact delivery.

For those interested in people leadership, opportunities exist to take on line management responsibilities and contribute to the development of our talented teams—though this is not a requirement for career progression at Jacobs.

Jacobs is a recognised leader in the transportation sector, working with major clients such as National Highways, Transport Scotland, the Welsh Government, and global contractors. Internationally, we contribute to transformative mega‑projects like NEOM The Line and King Khalid International Airport. Domestically, we’re delivering impactful local schemes for:

• Manchester Airport Group
• United Utilities
• Cheshire East Council
• West Yorkshire Combined Authority
• Worcestershire County Council
• Birmingham City Council
• Derbyshire County Council
• West of England Combined Authority

With expanding teams across the UK, this is your opportunity to lead, innovate, and make a lasting impact—both locally and globally.

Experience & Qualifications

• Experience in managing engineering design solutions in transportation.
• Relevant professional qualifications, such as a degree in engineering, CEng/IEng, or equivalent qualifications.
• Technical experience in delivering local and/or major highways projects or landside alignment elements in adjacent markets such as water or aviation.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to convey different design options to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to lead small project teams effectively and support their technical development.
• Thorough understanding of commonly used design standards such as DMRB or international equivalents.
• Sound knowledge of UK H&S legislation and a passion for fostering safety and wellbeing.
• Capability to manage a workload that may be subject to change at short notice.
• Ability to work independently and effectively within a global multi‑disciplinary team.
• Experience in the financial management and control of projects.