Principal Highways & Drainage Engineer

Kier Group plc.; Colchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Kier Group plc. is seeking a Principal Highways & Drainage Engineer to lead complex construction engineering services across multiple sites in the UK. The role emphasises safe, buildable designs and driving engineering excellence within a collaborative team.

You will guide temporary works design, support tender bids, and mentor teams while shaping technical standards. This is a hybrid opportunity across multiple UK locations with a focus on delivering high-profile infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Chartered engineer status with a recognised institution (e.g. CEng/MICE) is required.
• Significant experience in leading complex highways and drainage design and construction engineering services.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and design management across multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven track record in developing client relationships and delivering safe, buildable designs.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of temporary works design and checking for highways and drainage.
• Provide tender and bid support, including outline design schemes and feasibility studies.
• Manage project leadership, agreeing technical requirements and overseeing design deliverables.
• Act as a technical help desk, offering engineering expertise to teams and clients.
• Develop and promote technical standards and design processes for consistent quality.

Skills

Technical leadership

Highways & drainage design

Client & stakeholder management

Sustainable engineering

Education

Chartered engineer (CEng/MICE)

Job description

What will you be responsible for? As a Principal Highways & Drainage Engineer, you'll be working within the team, supporting them in delivering safe and buildable engineering solutions. We're seeking a highly skilled Principal Highways & Drainage Engineer to lead the delivery of complex construction engineering services. This is an excellent opportunity to work within a supportive and collaborative environment, where your technical expertise will help shape innovative solutions and drive excellence. You'll play a key role in ensuring safe, buildable designs while contributing to the development of our engineering capabilities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and working with a team that values expertise and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.

Your day to day will include:

• Leading the delivery of temporary works design and checking, focusing on highways and drainage solutions
• Providing tender and bid winning support, including outline design schemes and feasibility studies
• Managing project leadership responsibilities, including agreeing technical requirements and overseeing design deliverables
• Acting as a technical help desk, providing engineering expertise and advice to support understanding
• Leading the development of technical standards and design processes to ensure consistent quality of engineering output

• A Chartered member of a relevant professional institution (e.g. CEng MICE) with significant relevant experience, or demonstrable extensive relevant experience
• Experienced in leading complex construction engineering services with a focus on highways and drainage solutions
• Able to provide technical expertise and design management advice across multidisciplinary teams
• Skilled in developing and maintaining positive relationships with clients and stakeholders
• Committed to promoting sustainable development and best practice in engineering

We're looking for a Principal Highways & Drainage Engineer to join our team based in various locations. Kier Design are a highly regarded Tier 1 Contractor, with a 750 plus strong design consultancy team, recognised as a Top 30 employer on Glassdoor. Join us as a Principal Highways and Drainage Engineer and become part of one of the UK's leaders in temporary works design and management and construction-related technical services. As part of our 100-strong team, you'll get to work on hundreds of projects across one of the most diverse and high-profile portfolios in the country, with access to Kier's £11bn+ project pipeline - supporting complex construction and major infrastructure schemes from concept through to delivery.

Location: Birmingham / Bristol / Cambridge / Cardiff / Glasgow / Leeds / Liverpool / London / Manchester / Newcastle / Norwich / Plymouth - agile working, with up to 1-2 days per week from home if desired

Hours: 40 hours per week - some flexibility on hours available if desired, just let us know when you speak to us.

We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role