Principal Engineer - Highways Operations

Highways Magazine; Kirklees; Remote; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kirklees Council is seeking a Principal to lead a team of Senior Engineers, develop staff, and promote a positive working environment. You will plan workloads, set objectives, monitor performance, and ensure high-quality, cost-effective service delivery across priorities.

The role includes HR tasks, training participation, and on-site duties to meet customer needs. You will engage with internal and external partners, present findings to senior managers, and help manage budgets within an area of

Qualifications

• Must be able to demonstrate safeguarding and welfare responsibilities.
• Experience with coordinating teams and managing service delivery improvements.
• Ability to work with internal and external partners and to present findings to senior managers.

Responsibilities

• Manage Senior Engineers within an allocated area of work.
• Develop staff potential and promote a positive working environment.
• Plan workloads, set objectives and monitor performance.
• Ensure cost-effective service provision meeting priorities.
• Attend meetings and site work as required.
• Liaise with staff across the Service, external organisations and the public.

Skills

Staff management

Project management

Budgeting

HR tasks

Health and Safety monitoring

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Job description

About the job

As a Principal, your role will involve managing Senior Engineers, in an allocated area of work. You will develop and maximise the potential of your staff and promote a good working environment.

Ensuring that adequate levels of service are provided at all times, you will help plan workloads, set objectives and targets and ensure effective decision-making. You will develop the potential and promote a good working environment in which their work to achieve Service objectives is appreciated and valued. You will make sure that enquiries and requests are dealt with in a professional and responsive manner. You and your team will ensure you deliver a high quality, cost effective provision that meets Service and corporate priorities.

You will be responsible and assist with specific projects, carry out research, monitor performance and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and review of working practices and procedures. This will help determine if services continue to meet customer needs, demonstrate value for money and make effective use and provision of resources, comply with relevant legislation, codes of practice and standing orders. You will be required to present findings and give recommendations to others, including senior managers. You will also assist in the preparation, provision, monitoring and analysis of a limited budget within an area of work.

You will carry out a range of technical tasks, being proactive in your approach, liaising and negotiating with staff across the Service, other Council departments, Councillors, external organisations, agencies and members of the public, providing a courteous, helpful, confidential and responsive service. You will also be required to attend meetings and Exhibitions and work on site as necessary.

You will represent Kirklees Council and show you are customer focussed, with a commitment to making a positive impact.

Key role and responsibilities

You will contribute to, and deliver within budget, an efficient and responsive service to meet the needs of customers, the Service and political priorities.

You will work with internal and external partners including businesses, communities, the voluntary sector, councillors, other council services and our own staff.

You will proactively develop, sustain and promote a positive internal and external image of the Service when dealing with customers and partners.

Support the management and development of the Service to help it deliver its own and corporate priorities.

Improve services provided through business/process re-design and effective project management

You will be involved in HR tasks such as absence management, and Health and Safety monitoring

The job requires you to take part in training and development and you will be educated to Degree level or specific training in the tasks, or the ability to demonstrate through previous relevant experience

To be shortlisted for this job, applicants must be able to show you meet each of the criteria in the ‘Person Checklist.’

We encourage applications from people with all differing abilities.

We know there’s a wealth of talent among people who have a disability and we encourage applications from people with all differing abilities.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

We encourage you to read our AI Guidance before submitting your application to ensure your supporting statements reflect your own authentic experience.

Closing date

22 November 2026, 11:55 PM