Principal Road Engineer

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible working

Career development

Health & wellbeing

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead the Roads Team in the North West (Manchester or Liverpool).

You will oversee technical delivery across the full project life cycle, coordinate multi‑disciplinary inputs, manage client relationships and ensure quality and safety standards are met across schemes in the transport sector.

Qualifications

• Experience across stages of highway design from feasibility to construction.
• Proven track record leading multi‑disciplinary design teams.
• Experience with contract docs, administration or site supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead day‑to‑day technical delivery of highway consultancy services.
• Manage project budgets and fee proposals.
• Develop client relationships and manage expectations.

Skills

Highway design

Road geometry

Client management

Autodesk Civils 3D

Bentley OpenRoads Designer

Contract administration

Project leadership

CDM compliance

Education

Chartered Civil Engineer or Incorporated Engineer

Tools

InfoDrainage

PDS

Job description

Principal Engineer – Roads Team (North West, Manchester or Liverpool)

WSP is seeking an enthusiastic and talented Principal Engineer to join the Roads team based in the North West, in either our Manchester or Liverpool offices. This role will lead day‑to‑day technical delivery of highway consultancy services to support our clients through all stages of the project life‑cycle, from feasibility and concept design through to planning, detailed design, and construction. The position is client‑facing and requires a track record of delivery of schemes in either the local or national transport arena.

Responsibilities

• Managing projects to ensure coordination and compatibility of multi-disciplinary inputs on projects of varying scale, complexity and value.
• Liaising with clients, developing strong trusted relationships, proactively managing their expectations and comprehensively advising them.
• Undertaking project technical lead and reviewer roles.
• Using your technical ability and experience to support others to maximise their personal contribution to project/team goals.
• Preparing fee proposals and managing budgets for individual projects.
• Being responsible for the development and delivery of discrete and overall project solutions.
• Leading and managing other staff members in the delivery of design drawings, standard construction details, specifications and bill of quantities, supporting the preparation of tender packages.
• Being responsible for compliance with Health & Safety and Environmental Legislation and in‑house quality assurance standards/processes.
• Being actively involved with team resource coordination, supporting the setup of teams and putting the right people in the right roles.

Qualifications

• Relevant knowledge and experience of highway design at various stages of the project life cycle; specific experience in road geometry, roundabouts, at‑grade and grade separated junctions, inclusive active travel, highway drainage systems, road restraint systems, traffic sign and road marking design, and drainage systems.
• Demonstrable experience in leading a single or multiple design disciplines of relevant projects (e.g., road, public transport, active travel, public real and/or private development).
• Experience of contract document preparation or contract administration/site supervision using Public Works Contracts.
• Ability to use, direct and check the design outputs created in relevant software including but not limited to Autodesk Civils 3D, Bentley OpenRoads Designer, InfoDrainage, and/or PDS.
• Proactive management of change on tasks/projects, clearly communicating potential impacts on programme, cost, and quality.
• Excellent communication, client/stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.
• Chartered Civil Engineer or an Incorporated Engineer with extensive post‑professional qualification experience.
• Thorough understanding and application of the relevant design codes such as the Design Manual for Roads & Bridges, Manual for Streets, TSRGD, Local Authority design guidance and proficiency in preparing drawings for contract documentation and technical approvals, including the application of departures from standard.
• Experience of complying with Designers’ Duties under CDM regulations.

Benefits

• Work‑life balance: hybrid working policy with flexibility to work from home two days a week and opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & belonging: welcoming applicants with varied backgrounds, promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging with employee resource groups.
• Health & wellbeing: Thrive programme, Virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex scheme (up to 40 % off annual gym memberships), and a comprehensive menopause support package.
• Flex your time: WSP My Hour allows one hour each day for personal activities, with flexibility to make up the time earlier or later; part‑time and flexible working arrangements, option to purchase additional leave, and use of bank holiday entitlement as desired.
• Your development: supportive environment that invests in growth through training, mentoring and chartership opportunities.
• Global team: over 69,000 employees and more than 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, providing a collaborative environment and international brainpower.

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria; please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.