Principal Engineer - Highways

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is seeking a Principal Engineer within the Highways and Transport service to turn ambitious ideas into safe, practical infrastructure. This senior role combines expert highway design with project, commercial and people leadership across capital schemes, maintenance, and Section 278/106 projects.

You'll lead the design, procurement and delivery of schemes, mentor engineers, manage budgets and collaborate with partners, elected members and external

Qualifications

• Significant highway design experience with ongoing professional development.
• Experience in budgeting, procurement and contract management.
• Understanding of CDM and health and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, procurement and implementation of highway schemes.
• Oversee feasibility studies, options appraisals, outline and detailed designs, cost estimates and programmes.
• Provide professional advice to the Service Lead, officers and elected members.
• Coordinate with utilities, developers, contractors and partner organisations.
• Mentor and manage highway design engineers and technicians.

Skills

Highways design

Project management

Budget management

Mentoring/people leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Procurement

Risk management

CDM/health & safety

Technical design standards

Education

Level 7 civil engineering

Chartered status desirable

Tools

NEC3/NEC4 accreditation

Road Safety Audit qualification

Job description

Are you an accomplished highways engineer who wants to turn ambitious ideas into safe, practical infrastructure that improves everyday journeys across Blackburn with Darwen? We're looking for a Principal Engineer to join our Highways and Transport service. This is a senior technical role for someone who combines expert highway design knowledge with confident project, commercial and people leadership. From high-profile capital schemes and highway maintenance programmes to Section 278 and Section 106 projects, you'll help shape improvements from the first idea through to construction and make a direct, visible difference across the borough.

About the Role

Reporting to the Service Lead of Major Projects, you'll be a senior member of the Highways Projects team, leading the design, procurement and implementation of highway infrastructure schemes. You'll take technical ownership of allocated projects through feasibility, options appraisal, outline and detailed design, approvals, procurement and implementation, ensuring agreed outcomes are delivered safely and within the required time, cost and quality constraints. You'll also provide advice on complex design matters, work closely with colleagues, elected members, developers, consultants, contractors, utility providers and partner organisations, and help ensure schemes support the Council's wider growth and regeneration ambitions. As a Principal Engineer, you'll manage and mentor highway design engineers and technicians, coordinate workloads, build capability and maintain consistently high technical and professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Leading the design and delivery of high-profile on-highway and off-highway infrastructure, improvement and maintenance schemes for internal and external clients.
• Preparing and overseeing feasibility studies, options appraisals, outline and detailed designs, drawings, specifications, cost estimates, programmes and contract documentation.
• Developing concept designs, work packages and robust cost information to support funding bids, business cases and investment decisions.
• Leading the design of allocated highway maintenance, Local Transport Plan, Section 278 and Section 106 schemes, identifying and mitigating delivery and construction risks.
• Reviewing external technical submissions and providing authoritative highway design guidance on major projects and strategic planning applications.
• Planning and supervising preliminary investigations, including surveys, coring, trial pits, reviewing test results and early contractor involvement.
• Coordinating statutory undertakers and utility providers and working with procurement colleagues, contractors, framework providers and neighbouring authorities to secure effective delivery and value for money.
• Managing delegated budgets, income, forecasts, programmes, risks and performance information, with clear and timely reporting against agreed targets.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant legislation, technical standards, Council procedures, health and safety requirements and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.
• Providing clear professional advice to the Service Lead, senior officers, elected members and partners, while managing and developing staff and championing continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• A relevant Level 7 qualification in civil engineering, structural engineering, transportation, transport planning or a closely related discipline.
• Significant highway design experience supported by evidence of continuing professional development.
• NEC3 and/or NEC4 accreditation is desirable.
• A Road Safety Audit qualification and/or substantial relevant safety-auditing experience is also desirable.

Required Skills

• Significant experience in highway design, maintenance or infrastructure project delivery, with evidence of delivering high-quality outcomes.
• Excellent knowledge of current highway legislation, technical standards and guidance.
• Strong knowledge of highway maintenance practices, statutory responsibilities and network management requirements.
• The ability to analyse complex technical problems and develop safe, practical and innovative solutions.
• Experience of project and programme management, budget management, cost forecasting, procurement, contracts and performance reporting.
• A thorough understanding of health and safety, risk management, business continuity and CDM requirements as they apply to highway design and construction.
• A successful track record of working with senior managers, elected members, stakeholders, contractors and partner organisations.
• Experience of managing, mentoring or professionally supporting technical staff and promoting high standards of performance.
• Strong organisation, negotiation, influencing, presentation and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and use initiative.

Preferred Skills

You'll bring a substantial track record in highway design and infrastructure delivery, with the credibility and confidence to lead both technically and professionally. You'll be comfortable taking ownership of complex projects, resolving difficult technical issues, managing competing priorities, budgets and risks, and explaining your recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences. You'll combine sound political and commercial awareness with professional impartiality, good judgement and a collaborative leadership style. Most importantly, you'll share our ambition to deliver safe, sustainable and high-quality infrastructure for Blackburn with Darwen.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who can support inclusive, respectful and anti-discriminatory practice. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role you may contact Mark Mykolajowski