Principal Engineer

Pertemps; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A civil engineering company in the East Midlands is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer to lead complex projects and ensure technical excellence in highways, drainage, and infrastructure design. The role offers long-term stability, a strong project pipeline, and career progression in a supportive environment. Ideal candidates should have at least 8 years of experience and proficiency in key engineering software.

Benefits

25 days holiday + bank holidays + birthday + Christmas closure

Annual bonus + regular social events

Positive office culture with strong team values

Investment in career development

Qualifications

• Extensive civil engineering background, ideally 8+ years.
• Strong technical expertise in highways, drainage, and public realm design.
• Proven experience with project budgets and fee proposals.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil engineering projects from feasibility to completion.
• Produce and review detailed designs.
• Oversee compliance with standards and regulations.

Skills

Civil engineering expertise

Leadership skills

Communication skills

Technical expertise in highways and drainage design

Experience in project management

Education

Chartered Engineer (ICE/CIHT/CIWEM) or working towards

Tools

AutoCAD

Civils 3D

MicroDrainage/Flow

Causeway Flow

GIS

Vehicle Tracking

Job description

Overview

We’re supporting a growing civil engineering team in their search for an experienced Principal Engineer. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys leading complex civil engineering projects, guiding engineers, and delivering high-quality highways, drainage, and infrastructure design.

The position offers long‑term stability, a strong project pipeline, and progression opportunities within a supportive, well‑structured civil engineering environment.

The Role

As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will take ownership of a wide portfolio of infrastructure, highways, drainage, public realm, and multi‑sector developments. You’ll lead projects from concept through detailed design, work closely with clients and stakeholders, and ensure technical excellence across the civil engineering team. This is a hands‑on, leadership‑focused role with technical responsibility and the autonomy to shape project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage civil engineering projects from feasibility to completion
• Produce and review detailed designs for highways, junctions, drainage, and infrastructure
• Oversee Section S278, S38, and 104 works and ensure compliance with standards
• Prepare drainage strategies, SuDS reports, and flood risk assessments
• Provide technical leadership to civil engineers and technicians
• Attend and represent the team at client, stakeholder, and design meetings
• Prepare fee proposals, project programmes, and commercial documentation
• Ensure all work aligns with DMRB, local authority standards, and national planning frameworks (NPPF, PPG, Water Framework, etc.)

Required Experience

• Extensive background in civil engineering (ideally 8+ years)
• Strong technical expertise across highways, drainage, SuDS, FRA, and public realm design
• Skilled user of AutoCAD, Civils 3D, MicroDrainage/Flow, and Vehicle Tracking
• Comfortable advising clients, leading meetings, and representing the business externally
• Proven experience preparing fee proposals and managing project budgets
  Excellent communication and leadership skills
• Chartered (ICE/CIHT/CIWEM) or actively working towards Chartership
• Proficient with drainage modelling techniques, with experience using Causeway Flow, AutoCAD, Civils 3D (including earthworks modelling) and GIS.
• Understanding of Flood Risk Activity Permitting and the Land Drainage Consent process (advantageous but not essential).
• Experience in construction‑phase site monitoring, supervision and contract management, with the ability to prepare and review fee proposals and bids, support financial management and project control, and work confidently with different contract types and procurement routes.

Why Join?

• 25 days holiday + BH + birthday + Christmas closure
• Annual bonus + regular social events
• Positive, relaxed office culture with strong team values
• Long‑term career stability and investment in development

If you’re a Principal Engineer looking to join a respected engineering and manufacturing company with strong values and long‑term growth plans, apply today with your latest CV.