Lead Principal Drainage Engineer for Highways & Rail

Jacobs; Cardiff; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead drainage engineering across multi-disciplinary projects in the UK, working on highways and rail schemes for high-profile clients. You will guide design quality, challenge assumptions, and drive sustainable solutions while coaching the next generation of engineers.

You will operate from our UK offices (Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds or London) with a hybrid working model and contribute to broader Jacobs capabilities and project delivery

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered or working towards Chartered/ Incorporated status.
• Experience using drainage modelling software and tools.
• Delivery of drainage/transport schemes across various stages.
• Knowledge of DMRB/UK rail standards and SuDS.

Responsibilities

• Provide drainage deliverables and solutions for schemes.
• Produce and review feasibility studies, technical reports, designs, and contract documents.
• Review scheme deliverables and supporting information.
• Mentor and develop Engineers and Senior Engineers.
• Monitor progress and seek value-driven solutions.

Skills

Drainage modelling

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Transport drainage

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered status

Tools

DMRB

Job description

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead drainage engineering across multi-disciplinary projects in the UK, working on highways and rail schemes for high-profile clients. You will guide design quality, challenge assumptions, and drive sustainable solutions while coaching the next generation of engineers.

You will operate from our UK offices (Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds or London) with a hybrid working model and contribute to broader Jacobs capabilities and project delivery