Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Highways & Drainage

Calibre Search; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Calibre Search, Leeds, is seeking a Principal Infrastructure Engineer to lead highways and drainage projects in Leeds. The role combines hands-on technical delivery with leadership of a multidisciplinary team from feasibility through construction, ensuring schemes are delivered to the highest standards.

You will mentor Engineers, review technical work and contribute to fee proposals and resource planning, while fostering strong client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Lead highways, drainage and flood risk schemes from feasibility through to construction.
• Provide technical direction, manage programmes, oversee quality and ensuring projects are delivered to the highest possible standard.
• Mentor Engineers and Senior Engineers, review technical work and shape technical standards across the team.
• Contribute to fee proposals, resource planning and client-facing activities.

Job description

Principal Infrastructure Engineer - Highways & Drainage Leeds

Some opportunities are about stepping into an established team. This one is about becoming one of the people who helps lead it.

A growing pipeline of work has created the need for a Principal Infrastructure Engineer to join this expanding multidisciplinary consultancy in Leeds. More than just another senior appointment, this is a key strategic hire for the office. You'll work closely with the leadership team, influence the direction of projects and play a major role in developing both the team and the business as it continues to grow.

Recent changes across the company have created a culture that's stronger than it's been for many years. It's a collaborative environment where ideas are shared freely, engineers support one another and people genuinely enjoy being together. Hybrid working is available with a minimum expectation of three days in the office, but most of the team choose to be there more often because of the atmosphere that's been created and the value they get from working alongside their colleagues.

Technically, you'll remain hands-on whilst taking ownership of some of the consultancy's most important infrastructure projects. Working across residential, commercial, industrial, education, healthcare and energy developments, you'll lead highways, drainage and flood risk schemes from feasibility through to construction, providing technical direction, managing programmes, overseeing quality and ensuring projects are delivered to the highest possible standard. You'll work directly with clients, local authorities, statutory undertakers and multidisciplinary design teams, building trusted relationships whilst identifying opportunities to add further value throughout the life of a project.

Just as importantly, you'll become a leader within the office. You'll mentor Engineers and Senior Engineers, review technical work, provide guidance on complex engineering challenges and help shape the technical standards and working practices across the team. You'll also contribute to fee proposals, resource planning and the successful delivery of major commissions, becoming a trusted figure both internally and externally.

The ideal candidate will already be operating at Principal level, or be an experienced Senior Engineer ready to make that move. You'll have a strong background in highways and drainage infrastructure design, be comfortable leading multidisciplinary projects and have experience managing technical approvals including S38, S278, S104 and associated agreements. You'll be confident producing and reviewing Flood Risk Assessments, Drainage Strategies and other technical reports, while also bringing the commercial awareness, leadership qualities and client-facing skills needed to successfully deliver complex infrastructure projects. Chartered status, or the experience to operate confidently at that level, would be highly advantageous.

This is an opportunity to join a business with genuine momentum, where your influence will extend far beyond the projects you deliver. If you're looking for a role that offers autonomy, responsibility, long-term progression and the chance to become one of the driving forces behind a growing Leeds office, this is one well worth exploring.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.