Principal Engineer (Highways)

Sweco UK Ltd; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Principal Engineer in Leeds, where your passion for civil engineering will drive innovative highway projects. You will lead a talented team, ensuring quality and safety while collaborating on major improvements and public realm schemes. With a focus on sustainability and technical excellence, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of urban infrastructure. Enjoy a diverse workload, professional development, and a supportive environment that values your contributions. If you're ready to make a difference, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

Benefits

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

7% pension contribution

Life assurance 3 x salary

Flexible working options

Employee discounts

Support for professional accreditation

Qualifications

• Professional qualification in engineering is essential.
• Experience in geometry design and highway regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead highways design teams ensuring quality and compliance.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for sustainable solutions.

Skills

Civil Engineering

Project Management

Team Leadership

Communication Skills

Technical Guidance

Education

Degree in Engineering

CEng / IEng Qualification

Tools

Civils 3D

Job description

Become part of our society.

We are currently looking for a talented and motivated Principal Engineer with a genuine passion for civil engineering to join our Highways team in Leeds.

Our highway engineering teams are recognised industry leaders and operate across several markets including strategic roads, urban city/town centre interventions and private developments. Some of our recent projects include: York Central, Bradford City Centre, Sheffield TCF, Connecting North East Calderdale, Manchester Streets for All and M25 J28. We use the latest design software and techniques to produce innovative and efficient design solutions for our clients with safety and sustainability at the forefront of our minds.

What does the role involve?

Working as a Principal Engineer in the Highways team with opportunities to work within all project stages from inception through to detail design as well as site supervision during construction.

You will lead a highways team or act as design manager as part of a multi-disciplinary project for major highway improvements, placemaking, active travel and public realm schemes.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and managing highways design teams ensuring quality, safety, and compliance with standards.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated and sustainable solutions.
• Ensuring deliverables are carried out within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians.
• Engaging with clients and stakeholders to understand their needs and provide expert advice.
• Preparing and review technical reports, feasibility studies, and design documentation.
• Drive technical excellence.

To be successful in this role you’ll possess:

• A relevant professional qualification, for example a degree in engineering.
• CEng / IEng or equivalent qualifications or working towards.
• Ability to lead small project teams effectively and support their technical development.
• Experience of undertaking geometry design in accordance with DMRB and LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design, using Civils 3D software.
• Good understanding and application of highway regulations and guidance such as Manual for Streets, DMRB, TSRGD, MCHW and Traffic Signs Manuals.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to communicate different design options to internal and external stakeholders.
• A desire to learn, progress and challenge yourself.

What’s in it for you?

This is an exciting time to join Sweco and if you want to be part of a company who is small in all the best ways but large enough to provide a diverse and exciting workload, this job is for you.

You will continue to learn from experienced people who share a passion for working together with our clients to deliver technical excellence.

If you possess the skills we are looking for and are eager to join a company that offers real opportunities for career advancement, we would love to hear from you.

Let’s work together to transform society at Sweco!

Our benefits include....

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to buy up to 5 additional days per year)

• Pension contribution of 7% by employer

• Life assurance 3 x basis salary

• Payment of 2 relevant professional subscriptions

• Flexible and hybrid working options available

• Salary sacrifice electric vehicle scheme

• Employee discounts via Sweco Benefit Select

• Support through professional accreditation processes with bonuses and salary review on achievement

• Employee Assistance Programme offering wellbeing, mental, financial and work advice

About Us

Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.

Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.

We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality. Our ambition is to be our clients’ most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.

Sweco is committed to enabling all its colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible start and finish times, part time and hybrid working options so that you can flex your hours around your day to day needs.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.

If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. “reasonable adjustments”) with the application process?

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact [e-mail] for assistance.

In order to address your request the following information is needed:

• Name

• The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)

• The position title

• Requisition/vacancy number

Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.