Principal Operational Highway Engineer

Carrington West; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the Greater London area is looking for a Principal Operational Highway Engineer to oversee the maintenance of highways and civil engineering services. This role involves managing operational activities, budget oversight, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. The ideal candidate has significant experience in highways maintenance and civil engineering, demonstrating strong leadership and communication skills. Join a collaborative team dedicated to high-quality service delivery.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in highways maintenance, civil engineering operations, or similar.
• Strong knowledge of highway asset management and inspections.
• Proven budget management and maintenance programme skills.
• Confident in leading site inspections and monitoring service performance.
• Ability to influence service improvements and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational delivery of highways and civil engineering maintenance.
• Develop and manage maintenance programmes.
• Oversee budget management and ensure cost-effective delivery.
• Conduct site inspections for compliance and safety.
• Support the highways inspection regime for operational coordination.

Skills

Highways maintenance

Civil engineering operations

Budget management

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Engineering technology

Asset management systems

Job description

Principal Operational Highway Engineer

Overview

Our client in the North East is seeking an experienced Principal Highways Engineer to lead the operational delivery of highways maintenance and civil engineering services. This position plays a key role in managing day‑to‑day operational activity, ensuring highway networks are safely maintained, efficiently managed, and delivered to industry best practice.

You will oversee maintenance programmes, manage budgets, coordinate inspections, support service improvements, and act as a senior point of contact across technical operations. The role involves close collaboration with internal teams, external partners, and other stakeholders to ensure a consistent, high‑quality approach to service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of highways and civil engineering maintenance activities.
• Develop, manage, and implement planned and reactive maintenance programmes.
• Oversee budget management across operational works and ensure cost‑effective delivery.
• Conduct and review site inspections, ensuring compliance with required standards, specifications, and safety procedures.
• Support and oversee the highways inspection regime, ensuring effective operational coordination.
• Work closely with senior leadership to deliver service objectives and performance targets.
• Use and promote the use of specialist engineering technology and asset management systems.
• Coordinate with internal departments and external organisations to ensure smooth, collaborative operational delivery.
• Represent the service at regional and technical meetings, deputising for senior management when required.
• Contribute to policy development, continuous improvement, and adoption of new innovations or technologies within highways operations.
• Provide leadership and support to Works Supervisors and wider operatives.
• Respond to customer, stakeholder, and member enquiries related to highways and engineering services.
• Carry out additional tasks required to support operational service needs.

About You

• Significant experience in highways maintenance, civil engineering operations, or a similar environment.
• Strong knowledge of highway asset management, inspections, and operational delivery.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, maintenance programmes, and technical staff.
• Confident leading site‑based inspections and monitoring service performance.
• Excellent communication skills with experience liaising with stakeholders and operational teams.
• Ability to influence service improvements and contribute to strategic operational planning.
• Competent using engineering technology / asset management systems.

FOOTNOTE

If you feel that you are right for this role technically, but the rate, 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, Traffic & Transportation professionals keen to make their introductions for future months or years. Our specialist team has a combined 40+ years' experience in this market. Please call Charlie 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 email