Principal Infrastructure Engineer

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

Job summary

A respected engineering consultancy in Reading is seeking a Principal Infrastructure Engineer to lead highway and drainage design projects. The successful candidate will be involved in various development schemes and work within a supportive team that encourages professional growth. A competitive salary between £53,000 and £59,000 is offered along with benefits, including professional development support and flexible working options. This role presents clear progression opportunities to senior leadership.

Benefits

Pension

Professional development support

Industry memberships

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Solid experience in UK development infrastructure design.
• Confident with design tools such as Civil 3D and MicroDrainage.
• Capable of managing projects and guiding stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver highway and drainage design projects.
• Handle feasibility, detailed design and technical approvals.
• Coordinate with clients, local authorities, and multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

UK development infrastructure design

Highway design (S38/S278)

Drainage design (S104/S106)

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.

As the Principal Infrastructure Engineer, you will be leading and delivering highway and drainage design projects across residential, commercial and mixed‑use developments. You'll be handling feasibility, detailed design and technical approvals, providing technical assurance across all design outputs. You will coordinate with clients, local authorities and multidisciplinary teams, while mentoring junior engineers and ensuring compliance with UK standards and best practice.

To excel as the Principal Infrastructure Engineer, you will bring solid experience in UK development infrastructure design, including highways (S38/S278) and drainage (S104/S106) works. You'll be confident with design tools such as Civil 3D, MicroDrainage or similar, and you will have the capability to manage projects, guide stakeholders and provide technical leadership.

You will receive a 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.

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.

If this opportunity matches what you're looking for, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and take the next step in your career as a Principal Infrastructure Engineer.

By applying for this position, you agreed 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.