Principal Engineer (Highways Design / Network Management)

Darlington; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 44,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

32 days Annual Leave

Local Government Pension Scheme

Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Leave

Staff equality forums

Green Car Leasing Scheme

Training and development

Physiotherapy service

Confidential counselling service

Cycle to Work Scheme

Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts

Local/National retailer discounts

Vivup employee benefit app

Arriva Employee Travel Club

Job summary

Darlington Borough Council is seeking a Principal Highway Design Engineer to lead the development and delivery of diverse highway improvement schemes. You will provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, and coordinate with stakeholders to ensure projects meet milestones and deliver high-quality transport solutions.

The role requires extensive knowledge of design standards, policies and Civil 3D, AutoCAD and Project management software, with flexible and home-working options while requiring

Qualifications

• Proven track record in highway design and project delivery.
• Experience leading Engineers and Technicians.
• Strong knowledge of highway design standards and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of highway improvement schemes across the Borough.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineers and technicians.
• Coordinate with stakeholders and contractors to meet project milestones.
• Ensure quality, value for money and programme performance.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Problem-solving skills

Leadership

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

Microsoft Project

Highway drainage design software

Job description

Hours and Pay

Salary £44,253 - £47,665 (per annum) Salary Band £40,001 to £50,000 Post Type Permanent Hours Per Week Full time

Job and Application details

Categories Architects / Surveyors / Engineers
Directorate N/A Published Date 13/10/2026 Closing Date 28/11/2026

RESTRICTED - INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Highway Design Team. The team is responsible for developing and delivering highway improvement projects across the Borough of Darlington, supporting the Council's commitment to providing a safe, efficient and accessible transport network.

As a Principal Highway Design Engineer, you will lead in the development and delivery of a diverse range of highway improvement schemes. These include accessibility improvements, traffic management and road safety measures, bus priority initiatives, major highway network enhancements, and the development of walking and cycling infrastructure. This is an opportunity to deliver projects that make a difference to local communities, improve connectivity and support the future of transport across the borough.

Using your extensive knowledge of relevant policies, legislation, design standards and regulations, you will manage the development and delivery of highway design projects through the required design, consultation and implementation processes. You will provide technical leadership across a varied programme of schemes, ensuring projects are developed and delivered in accordance with relevant standards, regulations and Council objectives.

Working closely with colleagues, stakeholders and contractors, you will be responsible for managing and prioritising workloads across a portfolio of highway projects, ensuring resources are effectively allocated and project milestones are achieved. You will contribute to the successful delivery of projects from initial concept through to implementation, maintaining a strong focus on quality, value for money and programme performance.

As a senior member of the team, you will provide technical guidance, mentoring and support to Engineers and Technicians, helping to develop individual capability and promote the sharing of knowledge and best practice. You will play an important role in maintaining high professional standards across the team and supporting the continuous improvement of design processes and project delivery.

The successful candidate will be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications and AutoCAD and will possess a good working knowledge of Civil 3D. Experience in the use of project management software, such as Microsoft Project, together with highway drainage design software packages, is essential. You will have excellent communication, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound engineering judgements and develop practical solutions to complex transport and infrastructure challenges.

You will be a highly motivated and experienced highway professional with a proven track record in highway design and project delivery. The ability to manage competing priorities, provide technical leadership and build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders will be key to success in this role.

We recognise the importance of achieving a healthy work-life balance and offer flexible and home-working arrangements where appropriate. However, all staff must be able to work from Darlington's Allington Way Depot when required.

This is a rewarding opportunity to take a leading role in the delivery of infrastructure improvements that benefit residents, businesses and visitors, while helping to shape the future of transport within Darlington.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The rewards for working at Darlington Borough Council go beyond the salary you will receive; we have numerous additional benefits such as:

• 32 days Annual Leave, plus Bank Holidays, with option to purchase additional Annual Leave (pro-rata for part time working)
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme with option to make Additional Voluntary Contributions
• Generous Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave schemes
• Staff equality forums
• Green Car Leasing Scheme
• Access to a wide range of training, learning and development
• Physiotherapy service
• Confidential counselling service
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Dolphin Centre Fit for Life Discounts
• Local and National retailer discounts
• Vivup employee benefit app and Lifestyle Savings
• Arriva Employee Travel Club

For the full range of benefits we offer, please see our Why work for us internet page, which also includes our Total Reward Booklet and Employee Benefit Video.

Find out further information about us and what it’s like to work for our great team by visiting the Jobs and Careers home page.

For detailed information on this role, please refer to the Role Profile and Person Specification.

We are an equal opportunities' employer. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community. We aim to interview any applicant who declares a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job.