Principal Civil Engineer (Rail) in Manchester

We have a fantastic opportunity for a permanent Principal Civil Engineer to join our Consulting Rail team and become part of our vibrant, inclusive community that celebrates our differences and makes a real impact across the UK. The standard working week is 37.5 hours, and we offer a range of flexible working practices, including hybrid, part‑time, and adaptable working patterns. With shared office locations in Birmingham, Derby, York, Bristol, Manchester, and Cardiff, we welcome applications from candidates across these regions and are open to discussing working arrangements that suit your needs – with the flexibility to adapt as your life evolves.

Key Projects

As an appointed Design Partner on some of the UK's most significant and complex rail infrastructure projects, including Wales & Borders, we are proud to support major programmes such as Northern Powerhouse Rail, Eastern Routes Partnership, Northwest & Central Framework, Core Valley Lines, Trans‑Pennine Route Upgrade and Cardiff Crossrail. Our in‑house engineering team delivers design solutions across all Network Rail stages and disciplines, driving improved connectivity, enhancing passenger journeys, and shaping the future of rail safety and efficiency.

What you will be doing

As a Principal Civil Engineer you will act as a technical team leader, providing advice, guidance and supervision as appropriate to technical teams, operational managers, clients and suppliers. You will manage or influence the actions of technical teams regardless of office location, project or account, including the multidisciplinary environment, and will undertake the people manager role when required by the business.

Responsibilities

• Act as a technical team leader, providing advice, guidance and supervision to technical teams, operational managers, clients and suppliers.
• Lead the preparation and checking of designs, calculations, drawings and documentation as part of the production of scheme deliverables that satisfy the overarching criteria of quality, cost and programme.
• Assume responsibility for the commercial success of the projects within the portfolio, controlling budgets and managing the costs associated with the production of deliverables.
• Liaise with client and supplier representatives at peer level and higher, including presenting proposals, attending progress meetings and responding to queries.
• Significantly contribute to and lead the preparation of bids and the general work‑winning function, taking responsibility for the preparation of technical and commercial offers.
• Drive effective health and safety practices within the team.

What we want to hear from you if you have

• Developed experience and expertise within the relevant technical field, likely gained in a Senior Engineer role or equivalent.
• Able to produce technically sound engineering solutions, complying with all relevant technical standards and client requirements, working unsupervised and supervising more junior members of staff undertaking similar tasks.
• Experienced in undertaking project‑related tasks associated with the management of health, safety and welfare, e.g. Amey's Integrated Management System and the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations.
• Capable of acting as day‑to‑day main engineering contact for a project where required under the terms of the commission, e.g. Contractor's Responsible Engineer (CRE) for Network Rail schemes.
• Knowledge, understanding and experience of design and specification process with ability to advise others (Design Team Leader for appropriate projects); able to check designs to a high standard.
• Highly experienced with relevant software and similar analytical tools; good ability to check work produced by others.
• Has a very good understanding of CDM and risk assessment; substantially experienced in the management and communication of hazards and risks on projects and ensures appropriate risk mitigation and transference has been applied.
• Capable of acting as Principal Designer for appropriate projects.
• Supervisory and people‑manager skills; capable of managing a medium‑sized, locally based single‑discipline technical team, including the people‑manager role.
• Incorporated or Chartered status or an equivalent professional licence gained through the professional institution to which the individual is aligned is desirable and may be essential on particular contracts.

Benefits

Our benefits are designed to help you thrive at work and in your home life. You will have the flexibility to choose benefits and development opportunities that are best for you.

• Exceptional personal development, training and progression plans, designed to allow you to shine in your career, all in line with your personal ambition.
• Competitive salary and compensation.
• Generous pension scheme, with extra contributions from Amey.
• 24 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Flexible benefits scheme, including the option to buy additional annual leave and insurance benefits, Cycle2Work scheme and access to discounted gym membership.
• Our Save with Amey programme gives you access to thousands of discounts from leading retailers to help you save on shopping, days out or nights in.
• Family‑friendly policies for new parents or if you provide care for a dependant.
• Membership of our Affinity Networks who connect, support and inspire diverse communities within Amey.
• Two Social Impact Days each year, for volunteering and fundraising opportunities.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer and do not discriminate on any protected characteristic.