Principal Civil Engineer
Tetra Tech Europe
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Job summary
Tetra Tech is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer in Scotland (Edinburgh or Glasgow) to lead delivery of complex civil infrastructure projects across renewables, power and highways, from concept through construction.
You will provide technical leadership, manage multi‑disciplinary teams, mentor engineers, and ensure designs meet quality, safety and environmental standards while supporting work-winning activities.
Qualifications
- Holds a degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (BSc/BEng/MSc/MEng).
- Proven ability to lead multi‑disciplinary civil design teams.
- Experience in renewables, substations, transmission or major infrastructure projects.
Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver complex civil engineering projects from concept through construction.
- Mentor and develop senior and junior engineers, ensuring technical excellence.
- Coordinate multi‑disciplinary teams and liaise with clients and stakeholders.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
As the UK's energy transition accelerates, we're growing our Civil Engineering team in Scotland to support a strong pipeline of renewable energy and critical infrastructure projects.
At Tetra Tech, you'll have the opportunity to work on major schemes including substations, transmission & distribution reinforcement, onshore wind farms, highways, access infrastructure, and wider energy projects that connect renewable energy to homes, businesses, and communities across the UK.
Following several significant project wins and continued investment in our Scottish business, we currently have an opportunity for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our team in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
This is your chance to lead and shape projects that are critical to delivering the UK's net‑zero ambitions. If you are passionate about civil engineering design, sustainability, and developing infrastructure that supports renewable energy generation and transmission, this role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact while advancing your career within a collaborative and forward‑thinking environment.
As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will take responsibility for leading the delivery of complex civil engineering projects from concept through to construction design across the renewable energy, power, and infrastructure sectors.
You will provide technical leadership and strategic input across a range of projects including onshore wind farms, substations, battery energy storage developments, transmission and distribution infrastructure, highways, access tracks, bridges, retaining structures, drainage systems, earthworks, and associated civil engineering works. You will ensure designs are practical, buildable, sustainable, and aligned with both client objectives and industry best practice.
You will oversee the development of concept designs for planning and third‑party consents and approvals, preparation of sustainable drainage proposals, and liaison with statutory consultees such as Local Authorities, SEPA, and EA. Acting as the client's primary point of contact, you will manage design packages, lead multi‑disciplinary coordination, and ensure timely delivery to programme and budget. You will also mentor and guide senior and junior engineers, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to quality assurance processes.
From design concept to construction stage, you will actively manage health, safety, environmental, and sustainability risks, communicate residual risks effectively, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements and guidance. You will play a key role in implementing project management frameworks and supporting work‑winning activities to drive business growth within the renewable energy and infrastructure sectors.
You will be instrumental in delivering the infrastructure required to support the UK's transition to a low‑carbon future.
Success in this role is measured through technical leadership, strategic thinking, and proactive collaboration. In the short term, you will focus on delivering high‑quality civil engineering solutions for renewable energy and infrastructure projects while supporting multidisciplinary project teams. Over time, you will take on greater responsibility for client engagement, business development, and helping shape Tetra Tech's growing presence within Scotland's renewable energy, power, and infrastructure markets.
Through your work, you will directly contribute to projects that strengthen the electricity network, improve connectivity, support sustainable development, and enable renewable energy to reach homes, businesses, and communities across the UK.
At Tetra Tech, we recruit using core capabilities—the essential skills, experience, and responsibilities required to perform the role effectively. But here's the secret: there's no such thing as the perfect candidate. If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we'd love to hear from you.
You will bring extensive experience in civil engineering design and project delivery, ideally within renewable energy, power transmission and distribution, highways, or major infrastructure projects. Your technical capability will include the ability to develop and review complex designs for roads, access tracks, drainage systems, earthworks, foundations, and associated civil infrastructure, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practice.
Experience supporting projects such as onshore wind farms, substations, battery energy storage facilities, grid connection infrastructure, or wider energy developments will be highly advantageous. Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and drainage design software such as Causeway Flow or MicroDrainage is essential, as these tools will enable you to produce accurate and efficient design outputs.
A strong understanding of industry standards such as DMRB, sustainable drainage principles, hydraulic modelling, and earthworks design will enable the delivery of robust and environmentally responsible solutions. Your knowledge of construction methodologies, material specifications, and testing requirements will ensure that designs are practical, cost‑effective, and buildable.
As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will demonstrate proven experience in managing large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary projects and leading design teams to deliver exceptional results. You will take ownership of project planning, resource allocation, and technical oversight, ensuring that all deliverables meet programme, budget, and quality requirements.
Your leadership will extend beyond technical guidance—you will inspire and mentor senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence. Strong organisational skills, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively will be key to driving successful outcomes and maintaining client confidence.
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. You will represent the business confidently in client meetings, technical workshops, stakeholder consultations, and project reviews, ensuring that complex engineering concepts are conveyed clearly and persuasively.
Your ability to prepare detailed technical reports, present design solutions, and respond to queries effectively will underpin strong relationships with clients, contractors, developers, and statutory bodies. You will act as a trusted advisor, providing pragmatic solutions and maintaining open lines of communication throughout the project lifecycle.
You will champion innovative approaches to civil engineering design, integrating sustainability principles into every stage of project delivery.
This includes identifying opportunities to reduce carbon emissions, optimise material reuse, improve resource efficiency, and implement low‑impact construction techniques. You will actively contribute to whole‑life carbon assessments and embed best‑practice methodologies that align with environmental objectives, client aspirations, and the UK's net‑zero ambitions. Your forward‑thinking mindset will help position our team as a leader in sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy development.
You will demonstrate a strong understanding of project economics, including cost control, risk management, and value engineering. Your ability to anticipate client needs, provide strategic advice, and contribute to work‑winning activities will strengthen relationships and support business growth.
You will play a key role in preparing bids, developing proposals, and ensuring that technical solutions align with commercial objectives. By combining technical expertise with commercial insight, you will help deliver projects that meet client expectations while maintaining profitability and operational excellence.
You will hold a BSc, BEng, MSc, or MEng degree in Civil or Structural Engineering and have extensive experience in civil engineering design and project delivery, ideally within renewable energy, power transmission and distribution, highways, or major infrastructure projects.
A proven track record of technical competence in areas such as roads and access design, drainage systems, earthworks, and associated civil infrastructure is essential, along with a strong understanding of HSQE principles and statutory requirements. You should be confident in leading multi‑disciplinary teams and managing complex design packages from concept through to detailed design stages.
Due to the nature of the role, a full UK driving licence is required for site visits and travel.
Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status with ICE or CIHT is highly desirable, although candidates actively working toward professional accreditation will also be considered.
Experience supporting renewable energy projects, substations, transmission and distribution infrastructure, battery storage schemes, or grid connection developments will be advantageous, as will experience in work‑winning activities and client relationship management.
Knowledge of environmental impact assessments, planning and consenting processes, sustainable drainage systems, and hydraulic modelling, combined with proficiency in project management frameworks and quality assurance processes, will further strengthen your application.
The role is based in either Edinburgh or Glasgow with an expectation of at least two days per week on site for collaboration and client engagement. Hybrid working is available, with flexibility provided in line with project and client requirements.
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value.
We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. As the demand for renewable energy and energy infrastructure accelerates, our teams are helping clients deliver the projects required to support the transition to a low‑carbon future.
Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science to solve our clients' most complex problems.
In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role.
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