Principal Infrastructure Engineer

Carrington West; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 53,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

A respected consultancy is seeking a Principal Infrastructure Engineer to lead highway and drainage design projects in Reading. The successful candidate will bring solid UK infrastructure design experience and proficiency in Civil 3D and MicroDrainage. This role offers a salary of £53,000-£59,000 and a flexible hybrid working model, providing opportunities for career progression into senior leadership roles within a supportive team environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Pension

Professional development support

Industry memberships

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Solid experience in UK development infrastructure design.
• Proficiency with design tools like Civil 3D and MicroDrainage.
• Ability to manage projects and guide stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead highway and drainage design projects.
• Provide technical assurance across design outputs.
• Mentor junior engineers and ensure compliance with standards.

Skills

UK development infrastructure design

Highway design (S38/S278)

Drainage design (S104/S106)

Civil 3D proficiency

MicroDrainage or similar

Project management

Technical leadership

Tools

Civil 3D

MicroDrainage

Job description

Principal Infrastructure Engineer

Lead Highway & Drainage Design Projects in Reading

You're an experienced engineer who wants greater ownership, varied schemes and the opportunity to influence how infrastructure design is delivered. In this Principal Infrastructure Engineer role, you'll step into a position where your technical insight is valued, your ideas shape project outcomes, and you can progress confidently towards senior leadership.

You'll be joining a respected consultancy with a strong presence across Berkshire and the South, known for delivering high-quality engineering solutions and building long-term client partnerships. You'll work within a supportive senior team that encourages autonomy, collaboration and continuous professional development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver highway and drainage design projects across residential, commercial and mixed-use developments, handling feasibility, detailed design and technical approvals.
• Provide technical assurance across all design outputs and coordinate with clients, local authorities and multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor junior engineers and ensure compliance with UK standards and best practice.

Qualifications and Experience

• Solid experience in UK development infrastructure design, including highways (S38/S278) and drainage (S104/S106) works.
• Proficiency with design tools such as Civil 3D, MicroDrainage or similar.
• Capability to manage projects, guide stakeholders and provide technical leadership.

Benefits

Salary of £53,000-£59,000, alongside a competitive benefits package including pension, professional development support, industry memberships and flexible working options to help you balance work and life.

Location and Working Pattern

This Principal Infrastructure Engineer role is based in Reading, with a hybrid working pattern designed to give you flexibility while still enabling strong team collaboration.

Clear progression routes are available, including opportunities to move into Associate and specialist technical leadership roles as the team continues to grow.

How to Apply

Apply today and take the next step in your career as a Principal Infrastructure Engineer.

If you feel that you are right for this role technically, but the salary, location or seniority does not suit you specifically then please still feel free to send us your CV. We constantly recruit for roles very similar to this one at all levels UK Wide. We are always keen to chat with you discreetly about your employment situation.

Even if you are happy in your current role for now, we always welcome calls from Highways, Infrastructure & Transportation professionals keen to make their introductions for future months or years. Carrington West's Highways, Transport & Infrastructure division is the fastest growing in the country, our specialist team has a combined over 100+ years' experience in this market. Please call Adam Butler at Carrington West on (phone number removed) for more information.

By applying for this position, you are agreeing for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will be shared with third party clients specifically relevant to any roles you have applied for. If at any stage, you wish to withdraw your consent please contact us.