Principal Civil Engineer

Acorn by Synergie; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave plus bank/public

Flexible working

Enhanced pension contributions

Professional membership fees paid

Health cash plan & EAP

CPD & career development

Employee discounts

Subsidised social activities

Support towards Chartership

Excellent career progression

Job summary

Acorn by Synergie is recruiting for Principal or Associate Civil Engineer to join our Exeter team. You will work on infrastructure, highways and drainage projects, delivering from feasibility to detailed design while engaging with clients and guiding junior staff.

This role offers flexible working, competitive salary (£50k-£60k), generous leave, pension contributions and professional development opportunities, with clear career progression in a supportive consultancy.

Qualifications

• Essential: BEng or MEng in Civil Engineering; UK consultancy experience; infrastructure, drainage and highways design delivery; UK standards knowledge; residential/commercial/mixed-use experience; client-facing and commercial awareness; clear reports; strong communication; mentoring juniors; professional membership or progression towards Chartership.

Responsibilities

• Deliver infrastructure, highway and drainage designs across development projects.
• Manage projects through feasibility, preliminary and detailed design stages.
• Prepare and review technical reports, calculations and design documentation.
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients and project stakeholders.
• Support project delivery, programme management and commercial objectives.
• Provide mentoring to junior engineers and technicians.
• Ensure designs comply with legislation and industry standards.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Mentoring

Report writing

Client-facing

Commercial awareness

Education

BEng/MEng in Civil Engineering

Professional accreditation (membership or working towards)

Tools

Highways design software

Job description

Principal Civil Engineer | Associate Civil Engineer | Senior Civil Engineer

Exeter | £50k - £60k+ Dependent on Experience | Flexible Working | Excellent Benefits

Introduction

Acorn by Synergie is recruiting a Principal Civil Engineer or Associate Civil Engineer to join our client's team in Exeter.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Civil Engineer looking to take the next step in their consultancy career. You'll work on a diverse range of infrastructure, highways and drainage projects, combining design delivery with project management, client engagement and team development.

Working across a varied portfolio, you'll play a key role in successfully delivering projects from early-stage feasibility through to detailed design, while helping to develop the next generation of engineering talent.

What We Offer

• £50k - £60k+ Dependent on Experience.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave.
• Enhanced employer pension contributions.
• Payment of professional membership fees.
• Health cash plan and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Flexible working.
• Support towards Chartership and further qualifications.
• Ongoing CPD and professional development opportunities.
• Employee discount and benefits schemes.
• Subsidised social activities.
• Excellent career progression opportunities.

Key Duties

• Deliver infrastructure, highway and drainage designs across a range of development projects.
• Manage projects through feasibility, preliminary design and detailed design stages.
• Prepare and review technical reports, calculations and design documentation.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients and project stakeholders.
• Support project delivery, programme management and commercial objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring support to junior engineers and technicians.
• Ensure designs comply with current legislation, industry standards and best practice.

Requirements

Essential:

• BEng or MEng in Civil Engineering.
• Proven experience within a UK civil engineering consultancy environment.
• Experience delivering infrastructure, drainage and highways design projects.
• Strong understanding of UK design standards and engineering best practice.
• Experience working on residential, commercial or mixed-use development schemes.
• Strong client-facing skills and commercial awareness.
• Ability to produce clear, concise and technically accurate reports.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior colleagues.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution or working towards professional accreditation.

Desirable:

• Chartered Engineer status or progression towards Chartership.
• Experience managing projects and client relationships independently.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary development projects.
• Knowledge of industry-standard highways and drainage design software.
• Experience contributing to business development and client growth activities.

Interested?

This is an excellent opportunity for a Principal or Associate Civil Engineer seeking technically varied work, genuine career progression and the chance to join a consultancy that values professional development, collaboration and work-life balance.

If you're looking for your next opportunity as a Principal Civil Engineer, Associate Civil Engineer or Senior Civil Engineer in Exeter.

Desired Skills and Experience

• BEng or MEng in Civil Engineering.
• Proven experience within a UK civil engineering consultancy environment.
• Experience delivering infrastructure, drainage and highways design projects.
• Strong understanding of UK design standards and engineering best practice.