Senior Highways Engineer: Major Projects and Structures

Opus People Solutions Limited; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Opus People Solutions are hiring a Senior Highways Engineer handling Major Projects and Structures for a Local Authority client based in Milton Keynes. The role can be full-time or for a minimum of 3 days per week, offering remote working with approximately 1 day per week in the office.

The position offers £47 per hour Umbrella (£35 PAYE), and an initial contract length of 12 months+. Due to regular site inspections, candidates should ideally live within ~30 miles of Milton Keynes, with site

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in Civil/Structural Engineering or equivalent.
• Experience working on highways and structural projects.
• Contract management experience with budgets, schedules and risks.
• Ability to supervise site inspections and liaise with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of NEC contracts and highways standards (DMRB, MfS, HSW).
• Experience in Local Government or Highway Authority is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Providing senior client-side technical support across major highways, infrastructure and development projects.
• Supporting the delivery of capital projects from design and procurement through to construction, completion and handover.
• Reviewing technical designs, drawings, calculations, specifications and construction proposals.
• Managing and coordinating consultants, contractors, developers and other delivery partners.
• Reviewing third-party development schemes to protect the Council's interests.
• Monitoring construction activities through site inspections and ensuring compliance with designs and safety requirements.

Skills

Highways

Civil engineering

Infrastructure delivery

Highway structures

Stakeholder communication

Education

Degree in Civil/Structural Engineering

Tools

NEC contracts

DMRB

Manual for Streets

CDM Regulations

Job description

Opus People Solutions are hiring for a Senior Highways Engineer handling Major Projects and Structures within a Local Authority client based in Milton Keynes. The role is available on either a full-time basis, or for a minimum of 3 days per week, offering remote working with approximately 1 day per week in the office. The position offers £47 per hour Umbrella (£35 PAYE), and an initial contract length of 12 months+. Due to the requirement to undertake regular site inspections, candidates should ideally live within approximately 30 miles of Milton Keynes. Site visits will normally be required once per week, potentially increasing to twice per week during busier periods.

Responsibilities

• Providing senior client-side technical support across major highways, infrastructure and development projects.
• Supporting the delivery of capital projects from design and procurement through to construction, completion and handover.
• Reviewing technical designs, drawings, calculations, specifications and construction proposals.
• Managing and coordinating consultants, contractors, developers and other delivery partners.
• Reviewing third-party development schemes and technical submissions to ensure the Council's interests are protected.
• Supporting projects involving highways, bridges, retaining walls, culverts, drainage, earthworks, carriageways, footways and associated infrastructure.
• Monitoring construction activities through regular site inspections, ensuring works comply with approved designs, specifications and appropriate safety requirements.
• Supporting contract management activities, including project programmes, costs, risks, changes and performance reporting.
• Liaising with internal Council teams, statutory undertakers, developers and other external stakeholders.
• Maintaining accurate project records, including approvals, correspondence, costs, programmes, risks and site information.

Ideal Candidate

• Highways, civil engineering, infrastructure delivery or highway structures.
• Reviewing and challenging technical designs, drawings and construction proposals.
• Managing consultants, contractors or external delivery partners.
• Supporting the delivery of projects through design and construction stages.
• Bridges, highway structures, structural inspections or asset management would be particularly advantageous.
• NEC contracts or other relevant engineering and construction contracts.
• Project budgets, programmes, risks and change control.
• Relevant highways and engineering standards, such as DMRB, Manual for Streets, the Specification for Highway Works and CDM Regulations.
• Attending construction sites and carrying out inspections.
• Communicating technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Previous experience within Local Government or a Highway Authority would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Candidates should hold a relevant engineering qualification, such as a degree, HNC or HND in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering or a related discipline.

All offers will be subject to satisfactory compliance screening, including right to work in the UK and references.