Principal Engineer

AtkinsRéalis; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in Cambridge is seeking a Principal Highways Engineer to lead delivery across major infrastructure programmes. You’ll drive high-quality civil and structural design for new-build, renewal, and maintenance projects, mentoring multidisciplinary teams.

You’ll collaborate with UK and international experts, ensure designs comply with CDM and QA standards, and aim for sustainable outcomes. A hybrid working model is offered with office days in Cambridge.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering with Chartered Engineer status.
• Proven experience leading highway engineering teams and mentoring staff progression.
• Strong leadership with ability to build collaborative client relationships.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and Civil 3D design software.
• Extensive highways design experience aligned with DMRB and standards.
• Understanding of Designers' Duties under CDM and safe design principles.
• Experience with NEC contract procedures and/or project management.
• UK driving licence is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead project delivery as discipline lead or project manager with multi-disciplinary inputs.
• Lead the design process and mentor engineers to deliver cost-effective solutions.
• Coordinate resources to meet budgets and exceed client expectations.
• Line manage and mentor the local team to form multi-disciplinary groups.
• Ensure compliant designs on time and within budget with CDM, QA and technical reviews.
• Manage resources to meet utilisation KPIs and project needs.
• Prepare fee estimates and support tender/bid work.
• Encourage collaboration and embracing new technology while minimising environmental impact.
• Undertake feasibility studies with reports, cost estimates and option development.
• Ensure Health and Safety with CDM and relevant legislation.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Highways design

CDM Regulations

NEC contracts

Driving licence

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Job description

Lead delivery with vision. You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We're proud to say it's thanks to our people's diversity of thought, expertise and knowledge. And when you join us, you'll be a part of this genuinely collaborative environment, where everyone's voice is valued and treated equally.

Overview

Lead delivery with vision. You might know us for the great work we do across our wide variety of projects. We're proud to say it's thanks to our people's diversity of thought, expertise and knowledge. And when you join us, you'll be a part of this genuinely collaborative environment, where everyone's voice is valued and treated equally.

We're passionate about what we do, but we don't take ourselves too seriously. Simply put, this is a great place to be. So, when it comes to your life outside of work, ask us about our flexible and remote working policies designed to help you get the most out of life.

As a Principal Highways Engineer within our Transportation team, you'll play a key role in shaping the future of mobility and delivering some of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure programmes. You will be joining the Highways and Active Travel Practice in the South which operates from Cambridge, Chelmsford and Epsom. This role is based in Cambridge, and you will be required to work from the office a minimum of 3 days per week to effectively discharge your responsibilities. Our project portfolio includes schemes of all sizes and project stages from active travel schemes Oxfordshire, travel hubs in Cambridgeshire, major interchanges in Surrey. It also includes supporting nationally significant infrastructure projects such as the £950M Black Cat to Caxton Gibbet Project or providing technical support to the £38bn Sizewell C project.

In this senior position, you'll take pride in driving high quality civil and structural design across new-build, renewal, maintenance, and asset assessment projects. You'll lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, working collaboratively with experts across the UK and internationally to deliver solutions that are resilient, innovative, and aligned with long term sustainability goals.

Your technical authority, leadership, and forward thinking mindset will help create transport networks that leave a lasting, positive impact on communities, the economy, and the environment.

Your role

• Lead and manage project delivery, either as discipline lead or project manager, ensuring successful delivery with inputs from multi disciplinary teams.
• Lead the design process and guide the team in producing appropriate, cost effective solutions; support less experienced engineers through technical review and mentoring.
• Be responsible for coordinating resources to exceed client expectations, meeting budgets and building strong internal and external networks.
• Line manage, support, and mentor the local team, helping to form multi disciplinary teams to meet workload demands.
• Work with clients and design teams to deliver compliant designs on time and within budget, ensuring CDM, QA and technical review requirements are met.
• Manage resources effectively and efficiently to meet utilisation KPIs and project needs.
• Prepare fee estimates and support tender/bid work, contributing to winning new work.
• Promote collaboration and drive efficiency, embracing emerging technology and minimising environmental impacts.
• Undertake feasibility studies, including reports, cost estimates, problem investigation and option development.
• Ensure compliance with Health and Safety, applying CDM Regulations and other relevant legislation across all project activities.

About You

• Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering (BEng, MEng or MSc) or equivalent, with Chartered Engineer status (or demonstrable equivalent experience).
• Proven experience leading and developing highway engineering teams, including mentoring and supporting staff progression.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to build effective, collaborative relationships with clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Proficient in industry-standard design software, such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D.
• Extensive highways design experience, aligned with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and other applicable standards.
• Thorough understanding of Designer's Duties under CDM and commitment to safe design principles.
• Experience in NEC contract procedures and/or project management, ensuring effective and compliant project delivery.
• Possession of a full UK driving licence is advantageous.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance. This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.