Senior Civil Engineer - Transportation

HDR; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Senior Civil Engineer in the United Kingdom to design, manage, and deliver highway and drainage projects. You will lead design teams, liaise with clients, and drive quality from concept through to construction, while upholding HDR’s employee-owned culture.

We value strong technical expertise, collaboration across disciplines, and a proactive approach to project delivery, with opportunities to advance within a 100%-employee-owned organisation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil/Structural Engineering.
• Chartered or working toward Chartered status (IEng/CEng).
• Minimum 5+ years in civil design and project delivery.
• Experience with highway and drainage infrastructure projects and client-facing duties.

Responsibilities

• Lead from concept to detail design, tender, and on-site supervision.
• Ensure design work meets quality standards and conduct in-house design reviews.
• Define client briefs, technical requirements, and deliverables with scope and budgets.
• Monitor project progress, variations, and financials.
• Implement QA systems across projects and coordinate design teams.
• Maintain client relationships and pursue new business opportunities.
• Support bids and proposals with financial planning and contracts awareness.

Skills

Leadership

Client-facing

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Ability to work under pressure

Education

BEng in Civil Engineering

MSc in Civil Engineering

Chartered/Inc. Civil Engineer (IEng/CEng)

Tools

Civil 3D

Micro Drainage

AutoCAD

MicroStation

REVIT

InRoads

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organisation makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

About The Role

We’re seeking a Senior Civil Engineer with bold ideas, strong technical expertise, and a passion for sustainable design. You will have the opportunity to work with engineering teams to create detailed designs, plans, and specifications from concept to completion. You will support project managers by undertaking tasks on a wide range of projects. As a Senior Civil Engineer you will be part of an organisation that is 100-percent employee owned, that supports and creates many opportunities for you to advance, succeed and fulfil your career aspirations.

About You

We are looking for someone who is personable, a self-starter with the ability to project a positive ‘can do’ professional attitude at all times maintaining good working relationships. Someone who enjoys working collaboratively across disciplines being able to establish excellent working rapport within the team, business and with clients, with the ability to work under pressure, handle a varied workload and keep to tight deadlines

Responsibilities

• Carry out engineering concept design to detailed design, tender and contract on site supervision, to completion, ensuring projects are undertaken in accordance with design briefs and that completion deadlines are achieved.
• Ensure all design projects and reports within the group are technically compliant, to a consistent quality and standard. Maintain regular ‘in house’ design reviews and checks.
• Assist with the management and supervision of project delivery including, establish client briefs, technical requirements, scope of works, cost plan and defining deliverables.
• Monitor and control project progress, design variations and project financial budgets.
• Implement and manage QA systems and procedures on all projects.
• Liaise with design teams to produce co-ordinated designs that are technically compliant to a consistent quality and standard.
• Assist in the monitoring of resource relative to each project.
• Be familiar and review with various Engineering Conditions of Contract.
• Maintain excellent client relationships and contacts to achieve high levels of satisfaction and repeat business. Manage client’s expectations and promote a team approach.
• Pursue new business opportunities with existing clients and develop new business opportunities, including supporting the preparation of bids, proposals and responses to tenders.
• Continuous adoption of all Civil engineering rules and regulations, endeavouring to always ensure protection of the Companies reputation and Professional Indemnity.

Skills And Experience

• BEng, Meng, MSc or equivalent in Civil Engineering, or a relevant subject.
• Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer (IEng/CEng MICE) or working towards this.
• Minimum 6 years’ industry experience, ideally working withing a design consultancy, with expertise in designing highway and drainage infrastructure projects. Road safety audit experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of industry standards and guidance, including the NEC form of Contract, Manual for Streets 2, DMRB, TSRGD, Local Authority Design Guidance and the Specification for Highway Works.
• Able to undertake computer modelling, organise and direct the production of Civils 3D and CAD/Revit drawings. Proficiency with Bentley Microstation and REVIT required.
• Understanding of Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 and the roles of Designer and Principal Designer
• Experience of undertaking the role of Designer, be fully conversant with the latest Health and safety legislation relating to the construction industry.
• Experience in supporting the production of client bids and proposals, including financial planning and contractual assessments. Knowledge of public sector frameworks is a plus.
• Effective written and oral communicator with an ability to relate to staff at all levels.
• Confident communicator with leadership ambition

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5yrs of industry experience in civil design and project delivery
• BEng, MSc, or equivalent grade in Civil/Structural Engineering or relevant subject.
• Expertise in software such as Civil 3D, Micro Drainage, and/or AutoCAD.
• Strong communication, leadership, and client-facing skills.
• Bachelor's degree
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, MicroStation, InRoads and other civil engineering software as appropriate
• Project Engineering and Project Management experience
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United Kingdom-England-London Other Locations: United Kingdom-England-Manchester Industry: Building Engineering Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Building Site Civil Job Posting: Aug 24, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.