Principal Structural Engineer

Anne Corder Recruitment; Wigan; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A civil and structural engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal Civil Structural Engineer in Wigan. The candidate will lead the design delivery for complex infrastructure projects, guiding project teams and ensuring high-quality standards. Responsibilities include overseeing site appraisals and managing client relationships. Ideal applicants should have 7-10 years of experience, strong technical knowledge of drainage, and proficiency in AutoCAD. This full-time role offers competitive salary and progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years’ experience in civil engineering design within a consultancy environment.
• Proven ability to lead design delivery across infrastructure projects.
• Strong technical understanding of drainage strategy and approval processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex highways and drainage design packages.
• Oversee site appraisals and drainage feasibility studies.
• Manage multiple projects ensuring quality and commercial performance.

Skills

Civil engineering design experience

Drainage strategy

Highway design standards knowledge

Project management

Client relationship management

AutoCAD proficiency

Causeway PDS proficiency

Causeway Flow proficiency

Tools

AutoCAD

Causeway PDS

Causeway Flow

Job description

Principal Civil Structural Engineer

Location: Wigan – easily commutable from Manchester, Liverpool, Warrington, Bolton or St. Helens

Salary: £60,000 – £70,000, depending on experience

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Are you an experienced Principal Civil Engineer who can lead design delivery, oversee project teams and act as the go-to technical authority on highways, drainage and residential development infrastructure?

Our client is a well-established civil & structural engineering consultancy with a strong reputation for producing high-quality design solutions across residential and commercial schemes. As part of continued growth, they are seeking a Principal Civil Engineer who can take responsibility for technical leadership, project delivery and client management across the North West.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex highways, drainage and external works design packages.
• Oversee site appraisals, flood risk assessments and drainage feasibility studies.
• Review and sign off design work produced by senior and junior engineers.
• Act as technical lead on Section 38, Section 104, SAB / LLFA submissions and liaise with adopting authorities.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently, ensuring quality, accuracy and commercial performance.
• Support business development activity by contributing to bids, client meetings and early-stage technical input.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, fostering capability and best practice within the design team.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years’ civil engineering design experience within a consultancy environment.
• Proven ability to lead design delivery across residential and commercial infrastructure projects.
• Strong technical understanding of drainage strategy, FRA requirements and national / local approval processes.
• Excellent knowledge of highway and drainage design standards, including S38, S104 and SAB.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Causeway PDS and Causeway Flow; ability to independently review and interrogate complex design models.
• Comfortable managing client relationships and representing the business at design team meetings.

If this Principal Civil Engineer opportunity aligns with your background, we would be delighted to discuss your application in more detail. This is a full-time, permanent opportunity with clear progression potential and the chance to influence the future direction of the team.

Due to the urgency of this vacancy, we aim to respond to successful applicants within 24 hours of receiving your CV — so why not apply today?