Senior Highways Engineer: Lead Design & Delivery

Waterman Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Waterman Group is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to lead highway and infrastructure design projects from feasibility through construction. You will manage design packages, mentor junior staff, and ensure quality and timely delivery in collaboration with clients and authorities.

The role requires Chartered/ Incorporated status or progression, and experience with NEC contracts, DMRB, and LTN 1/20. Waterman offers flexible hybrid working and a collaborative team culture.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
• Working toward Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status (IEng/CEng).
• Proven experience in highways and infrastructure design within a UK consultancy or local authority.
• Good working knowledge of DMRB, Manual for Streets and LTN 1/20.
• Experience delivering schemes for local authority clients and/or development led projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• 5 years’ experience post-graduation; Chartered Engineer status.
• Experience supporting construction stages and site activities.
• Experience mentoring junior staff.
• Familiarity with surveys, traffic, drainage and utilities; active travel schemes incl. cycle facilities per LTN1-20.
• Experience safety improvement schemes.
• Software knowledge: Word/Excel/PowerPoint/Project; AutoCAD/Civil 3D/KeySign/KeyPost/AutoTrack.

Responsibilities

• Deliver highways and infrastructure design projects from feasibility to construction.
• Produce and check designs per UK standards (DMRB, Manual for Streets, LTN 1/20, TSRGD).
• Act as project lead or deputy on highways schemes (junctions, active travel, bus priority).
• Oversee design drawings using AutoCAD/Civil 3D; prepare reports and tender docs.
• Respond to technical queries; liaise with contractors and site teams.
• Support road safety audits, design reviews and QA processes.
• Manage tasks, programs and budgets per scope.
• Liaise with clients, authorities and stakeholders; support NEC3/NEC4 contracts.
• Assist with change control and QA; mentor graduates and juniors.
• Promote good design and adherence to internal quality systems.

Skills

Highways design

Project delivery

Leadership & mentoring

Communication skills

Quality assurance

Contract administration (NEC3/NEC4)

Software: AutoCAD

Software: Civil 3D

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Incorporated/Chartered Engineer status (IEng/CEng)

Chartered Engineer (IEng/CEng)

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

KeySign

KeyPost

AutoTrack

Microsoft Project/ Primavera

Job description

Waterman Group is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to lead highway and infrastructure design projects from feasibility through construction. You will manage design packages, mentor junior staff, and ensure quality and timely delivery in collaboration with clients and authorities.

The role requires Chartered/ Incorporated status or progression, and experience with NEC contracts, DMRB, and LTN 1/20. Waterman offers flexible hybrid working and a collaborative team culture.