Principal Civil and Structural Engineer - Rail

Strata Construction Consulting; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Watford is seeking a talented Principal Engineer to lead rail projects from tender to detailed design. The ideal candidate will possess a civil engineering degree and Chartered Engineer status, with expertise in rail structures and excellent leadership and communication skills. This role requires managing teams, client interactions, and ensuring timely project delivery. A competitive salary and flexible benefits package are offered, including training opportunities and health care.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible benefits package

Training opportunities

Contributory pension

Qualifications

• Strong technical background with experience in rail structures design.
• Proven experience in project management and leading engineering teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team working on rail design projects.
• Produce design packages for various phases of projects.
• Manage client relationships and business development activities.

Skills

Leadership skills

Client relationship skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Due to a healthy forward workload, our client are currently looking to appoint a for a talented and motivatedPrincipal Engineerwithin the Watford Rail structures team. The successful candidate will have a fantastic opportunity to work in one of the UK’s leading private Engineering Consultancies working on a varied portfolio of Rail schemes on London Underground and Network Rail infrastructure.

You can expect to be active on a number of projects and with a number of clients at any given time.

This role can be worked flexibly with a minimum of 3/4 days spent in the office a week.

The Role:

We are looking for an experienced engineer who can lead rail projects through their complete life cycle, from tender production to scheme and detailed design. The role requires a person who can plan and lead projects both technical and commercially, be a prime point for client contact and be able to apply consistently good judgement. In this role:

• You will lead and manage the team, which currently comprises a mix of Engineers and Technicians at all levels, and be responsible for their delivery of rail infrastructure design packages and leading multi-disciplinary rail design projects for our clients.
• You will be responsible for the production of design packages for concept, tender and detailed phases of projects.
• You will play a key role supporting the Rail management to develop a wider range of services for existing clients as well as to secure new clients in the region and to support other clients of the Rail business
• Key deliverables will include budget setting and management, compliance with agreed internal and external processes and systems, workload and resource management, business development and marketing activities including providing coaching and mentoring support to team members.

What you need to succeed:

• Degree in civil engineering
• Chartered Engineer status with a relevant professional body e.g. ICE or IStructE
• You will have a strong technical background with proven experience in the design of most of the following: rail structures and buildings; rail stations including platforms – upgrade and extension; retaining structures; foundations; over, under and footbridges; culverts and crossings and earth structures.
• Experience working on projects from initial tender/bid submissions, project management, leading the production of engineering drawings, obtaining statutory or third party approvals, project administration, etc.
• Good client relationship skills to be able to lead and work with the rest of the team to build on existing strong relationships.
• Extensive experience of delivering projects within tight timescales including on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Strong leadership skills to enable you to be a pro‑active part of the Rail management team working alongside and providing support to the wider team in the development of overall objectives.
• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to adapt your style to suit difference audiences.
• Proven experience of managing and developing a team by effectively balancing workload delivery, resource planning, employee development and wellbeing.
• Proven decision-making skills with the ability to influence strategic decision‑making and make commercial decisions within defined parameters.
• Demonstrable experience of operating and influencing at a senior level.
• Experience of delivering across a multi‑site organisation.
• Good problem solving/contingency planning skills with the ability to find quick, innovative and practical solutions to civil engineering problems.

What's on offer:

The current permanent employment opportunity offers a competitive salary and excellent flexible benefits package for permanent staff which includes training opportunities, reimbursement of professional fees, contributory pension, personal health care plan and life insurance, interest‑free travel loan scheme, additional leave purchase and buy‑back scheme, staff loyalty bonus.