Principal Civil Engineer

Join a progressive, independent engineering consultancy delivering high-quality infrastructure and transport planning across a diverse UK portfolio. Combining technical excellence with a commercial approach, they offer a truly collaborative, hybrid-working environment where ideas are valued, internal promotion is the norm, and professional development is actively funded. If you want a flourishing career supported by excellent benefits and a great social culture, including regular away days and company trips, this is the ideal next step.

Role Purpose

The role of Principal Civil Engineer at the company is to provide technical expertise, proactive client management, and robust project delivery. This position represents breaking new ground for our London office. As the pioneering civil engineering appointment in this hub, the role offers immense potential for rapid career acceleration and professional growth as you help shape, establish, and expand the infrastructure design discipline in the capital. The role requires delivering autonomous, high-quality design work, managing multi-disciplinary project tasks, leading key client accounts, and expanding our market presence.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Delivery & CAD Operations
  • Mandatory CAD Production: Actively deliver technical infrastructure engineering designs, layouts, and technical drawings utilizing AutoCAD and relevant civil engineering design software.
  • CAD Standards & Quality Control: Assume direct responsibility for the implementation and maintenance of relevant CAD standards within the London business unit.
  • Project Management: Responsibility for the delivery of allocated projects and engineering tasks to time and cost, strictly in accordance with ISO policies and processes.
  • Financial Controls: Act as an effective Project Manager to monitor financial performance on projects and ensure the timely submission of monthly invoices.
  • Technical Quality: Ensure the absolute technical quality of all civil engineering project deliverables meets and exceeds client expectations.
• Client Engagement & Business Development (Client-Facing Focus)
  • Proactive Communication: Serve as a primary customer-facing representative, maintaining proactive, clear, and effective client communication across all ongoing schemes.
  • Commercial Proposals: Responsible for the preparation of robust fee proposals and, where appropriate, identifying opportunities for the cross-selling of the company's wider services.
  • Work Winning & Expansion: Actively partake in local business development and networking initiatives to win new infrastructure work, expanding the company's footprint in London in line with annual targets.
  • Client Retention: Liaise closely with developers, housebuilders, and architectural partners to convert project successes into repeat business pipelines.
• Staff Management and Development
  • Junior Mentorship: Mentor, support, and assist with the technical training of junior staff and technicians within the business unit.
  • Team Supervision: Supervise and manage staff assigned to project deliverables when acting as the designated Project Manager.
  • Performance Leadership: Undertake formal Performance and Development Reviews (PDR) for team members in strict accordance with company guidelines and policies.
• Financial Performance & Management
  • System Compliance: Fully understand the company's commercial/financial systems relating to project tasks and their cost implications to the broader business.
  • Unit Profitability: Assist with and contribute towards the financial performance, revenue generation, and overall profitability of the London business unit.
  • Debt Management: Proactively assist with securing the prompt payment of invoices and minimizing outstanding debtors on managed accounts.
• Health & Safety
  • Policy Compliance: Understand and actively implement the company's Health & Safety Policy across all day-to-day operations.
  • Risk Assessments: Ensure the thorough completion and submission of required Risk Assessments for both site operations and project design packages.
  • Safety Leadership: Lead by example to communicate safety updates and ensure appropriate procedures are embedded within the office team.

Reporting and Communication: Report directly to your designated Line Manager and the London Business Unit Director. Provide clear, updated forecasts regarding project delivery timelines, technical resource performance, and revenue projections for your schemes.