Principal Operational Highway Engineer

Carrington West; North East; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A civil engineering firm in the North East of England seeks a Principal Operational Highway Engineer to lead the delivery of highways maintenance and civil engineering services. In this role, you will manage operational activities, oversee budget management, and ensure compliance with safety standards during site inspections. Candidates should have significant experience in highways maintenance and civil engineering operations, with strong leadership and communication skills. The position offers a chance to influence service improvements and contribute to strategic operational planning.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in highways maintenance or civil engineering operations.
• Strong knowledge of highway asset management and operational delivery.
• Proven ability to manage budgets and maintenance programmes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder liaison skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational delivery of highways and civil engineering maintenance activities.
• Oversee budget management across operational works.
• Conduct site inspections ensuring compliance with standards.
• Conduct site inspections and ensure compliance with standards and safety.

Skills

Highways maintenance

Civil engineering operations

Budget management

Stakeholder communication

Asset management systems

Tools

Asset management software

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.