Lead Civil Engineer in Southampton

If you're a Chartered Civil Engineer looking for a role where your expertise will genuinely influence projects, people and the future direction of a growing consultancy, this Civil Engineering Lead opportunity could be exactly what you're looking for.

As a Civil Engineering Lead, you will take ownership of high-profile projects, mentor talented engineers and play a key role in developing an expanding civil engineering service.

My client is an established multidisciplinary consultancy delivering projects across the commercial, residential, education, healthcare, industrial, public sector and development sectors throughout the UK. They are looking to appoint an experienced Civil Engineering Lead who will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their civil engineering offering while working closely with Directors, clients and project teams.

This is a position offering autonomy, responsibility and a clear route towards wider technical leadership, Associate, Associate Director or senior management, depending on experience and performance.

As the Civil Engineering Lead, you will:

• Lead civil engineering commissions from feasibility and planning through to detailed design, construction support and project completion.
• Prepare and review highways, drainage, SuDS, flood risk, external works, infrastructure and access design solutions.
• Identify project constraints, risks and opportunities relating to highways, flood risk, utilities, ground conditions and buildability.
• Manage project scope, programmes, resources, budgets, quality and risk.
• Review calculations, drawings, reports and technical documentation produced by engineers and technicians.
• Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Liaise with planning authorities, highway authorities, Lead Local Flood Authorities, water companies and the Environment Agency.
• Attend client meetings, site inspections and technical workshops.
• Support business development activities, fee proposals and client relationship management.
• Mentor and develop engineers and technicians, helping to grow the capability of the wider team.
• Promote high technical standards and consistent engineering processes across the business.

To be successful, you will have:

• A degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng MICE or equivalent) with UK consultancy experience.
• Strong technical knowledge of highways, drainage, flood risk, SuDS, external works and infrastructure design.
• Experience preparing and reviewing planning and technical approval submissions.
• The ability to lead projects and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets, programmes and project risks.
• Experience using AutoCAD, Civil 3D or similar engineering software.
• Excellent communication skills with a collaborative and proactive approach.
• The confidence to mentor colleagues and build lasting client relationships.

• Salary dependent on experience.
• Senior position with genuine influence over the future growth of the civil engineering service.
• Direct access to Directors and key decision-makers.
• Clear career progression towards Associate, Associate Director, technical leadership or senior management.
• Diverse workload across a broad range of sectors and project types.
• Support for ongoing professional development, mentoring and knowledge sharing.
• Collaborative multidisciplinary working environment.

This position can be based in Bedford or Southampton, with flexibility to work alongside colleagues and clients across the wider business. You'll be joining a consultancy that encourages technical excellence, supports career progression and provides the opportunity to shape both projects and the future direction of the civil engineering team.

If you're an experienced Chartered Civil Engineer ready to take the next step into a leadership role where your expertise will make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today with your latest CV to find out more.