Principal Traffic Engineer

American Society of Civil Engineers; Alton; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

London office base

Company pension

Generous annual leave

Training and development

Professional membership support

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

American Society of Civil Engineers is seeking a Principal Traffic Engineer to lead the design and delivery of high‑profile transport projects in London, with a flexible, hybrid working pattern and a minimum three days in the office.

You will act as a technical authority across multidisciplinary teams, providing mentorship, ensuring safety, quality, and compliance with UK standards throughout feasibility to construction stages.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer status with ICE/CIHT or equivalent.
• Degree in civil/highways/transport engineering or related field.
• Extensive UK experience delivering complex transport infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of active travel and inclusive design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of complex transport projects (highways, active travel, streets, public realm).
• Act as technical lead and design authority, ensuring safety, buildability and quality.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams, provide mentorship and professional guidance.
• Manage project scope, programmes, budgets, resources, risks and change control.
• Apply UK standards and CDM 2015 duties across the project lifecycle.
• Support fee proposals, bids and key account development.

Skills

Chartered Engineer

Highways design

Active travel design

Leadership and mentoring

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Job description

Our client is seeking a Principal Traffic Engineer to join its London highways team on a permanent basis. The role will lead the design and delivery of transport, active travel, highway and public realm projects, helping to create safer, healthier and more sustainable places. Based in London with flexible working arrangements and a minimum of three days per week in the office, you will act as a technical authority across multidisciplinary projects, supporting schemes from feasibility and concept design through to detailed design, technical approval and construction support.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of complex transport infrastructure projects, including active travel, highways, junctions, streets and public realm schemes.
• Act as technical lead and design authority, reviewing drawings, reports and technical outputs to ensure they are safe, buildable and high quality.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams of engineers, technicians, consultants and graduates, providing technical direction, mentoring and professional support.
• Manage project scope, programmes, budgets, resources, risks, change control and quality assurance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Apply relevant UK legislation, standards and guidance, including CDM 2015, DMRB, Manual for Streets, LTN 1/20 and local authority design standards.
• Build trusted relationships with clients, local authorities, elected members, stakeholders and communities, communicating complex technical matters clearly.
• Support fee proposals, bids, framework submissions and key account development.
• Provide construction-stage support and contribute to technical approvals, design governance and project reviews.

Job Requirements

• Working towards or having achieved Chartered Engineer status with a relevant professional institution, such as ICE, CIHT or an equivalent recognised body.
• A relevant degree or equivalent qualification and experience in civil engineering, highways, traffic engineering, transport engineering or a related discipline.
• Substantial experience leading the design and delivery of technically complex transport infrastructure projects in the UK.
• Strong experience in active travel design, including walking, wheeling and cycling schemes, with an understanding of inclusive design and Healthy Streets principles.
• Expert knowledge of highway and public realm design, UK standards, technical approval processes, CDM 2015 duties and design risk management.
• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary design teams, assure technical quality, mentor colleagues and make well-reasoned engineering decisions.
• Strong project and commercial management skills, including programme, budget, resource, risk and quality management.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the confidence to advise senior clients and engage non-technical audiences.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working with UK local authorities, combined authorities or other public-sector clients.
• Knowledge of NEC contracts, procurement, construction-stage support and collaboration with contractors.
• Experience of public consultation, stakeholder engagement and co-design for high-profile or contentious transport schemes.
• Understanding of highway legislation, statutory processes and utility coordination.
• Experience considering road safety, accessibility and equality impacts during scheme development.
• Involvement in industry best practice, professional networks, technical guidance or thought leadership.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements with a London office base.
• Company pension scheme.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Continuous training and professional development opportunities.
• Professional membership of a recognised institution of choice.
• Inclusive and supportive working environment where ideas and career growth are encouraged.

If you are an experienced Principal Traffic Engineer with a strong background in highways, active travel and transport infrastructure,