Principal Civil Engineer (Rail) in Bristol

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.

What the role offers

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 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.

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.
• Take responsibility for the commercial success of projects within the portfolio, controlling budgets and managing the costs associated with the production of deliverables.
• Engage with client and supplier representatives at peer level and higher, presenting proposals, attending progress meetings and responding to queries.
• Contribute to and lead the preparation of bids and the general work‑winning function, taking responsibility for technical and commercial offers.
• Drive effective health and safety practices within the team.

Qualifications

• 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).
• Can 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 managing and communicating hazards and risks on projects and ensuring 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

• 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 which connect, support and inspire diverse communities within Amey.
• Two Social Impact Days each year for volunteering and fundraising opportunities.

Diversity and Inclusion

We constantly evolve how we work to reflect the different needs and backgrounds of our employees. We seek out the skills, joy and energy that often‑marginalised groups can bring to our teams and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. We are committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. Please contact our recruitment team to discuss any access needs, reasonable adjustments or additional support that you may require at any point during the recruitment process.