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- Tasks: Audit and approve highway designs, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations.
- Company: Join a dynamic Highways & Transportation team focused on impactful projects.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, flexible hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in highway design while collaborating with developers and consultants.
- Qualifications: Experience with Section 38 Agreements and a Civil Engineering degree or equivalent.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities to lead and support junior staff.
The predicted salary is between 19 - 28 £ per hour.
We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer with strong Section 38 Highways adoption experience to join a busy Highways & Transportation team. This role focuses on the negotiation, technical audit and approval of highway adoption schemes under Section 38 of the Highways Act, working closely with developers, consultants and internal teams to ensure designs meet adoptable standards.
The Role
- Technically audit Section 38 highway design submissions
- Review drainage, utilities and full highway layouts
- Provide structured feedback and manage iterative resubmissions
- Negotiate amendments with consultants and developers
- Manage live schemes from handover (retirement cover)
- Ensure compliance with legislative, regulatory and council standards
- Support procurement, financial and resource management where required
- Contribute to delivery during periods of changing priorities and resource pressure
You must be confident challenging non-compliant designs and capable of managing complex, ongoing schemes from day one.
What We're Looking For
- Essential
- Direct experience with Section 38 Agreements
- Strong highways design knowledge (adoptable standards)
- Civil Engineering degree (or equivalent experience)
- Experience within local authority or public sector highways
- Strong technical report writing skills
- Confident negotiator with consultants
- Experience managing staff performance and workloads
- Knowledge of CDM and Health & Safety legislation
- IT competence (MS Office, GIS, AutoCAD understanding)
- Planning process experience
- Experience working within politically sensitive environments
- Experience managing operational response (e.g. adverse weather)
The Person
- Technically strong and decisive
- Honest and accountable
- Comfortable working in a fast-changing environment
- Capable of prioritising workload under pressure
- Able to motivate and support junior staff
- Flexible in approach to hybrid and occasional operational demands
Working Pattern: Hybrid ideally office-based Tuesdays (flexible for the right candidate).
Principal Engineer Highways (Section 38) in Huddersfield employer: Dunnebier
Contact Detail:
Dunnebier Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer Highways (Section 38) in Huddersfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the highways and transportation sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your Section 38 knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how you tackled challenges. We want to see your confidence shine through when discussing technical audits and negotiations!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your soft skills! Being a confident negotiator and a supportive team player is key in this role. We recommend sharing examples of how you’ve motivated junior staff or managed complex schemes under pressure during your interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our hiring process!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer Highways (Section 38) in Huddersfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your direct experience with Section 38 Agreements and highways design knowledge. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing your relevant experience!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for our Highways & Transportation team. Mention your negotiation skills and any experience managing complex schemes – we love a good story!
Show Off Your Technical Skills: Since strong technical report writing skills are essential, make sure to include examples of your work. If you’ve got experience with AutoCAD or GIS, let us know how you’ve used these tools in past projects!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come in through our own platform!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dunnebier
✨Know Your Section 38 Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Section 38 Agreements. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated the adoption process, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Since this role requires strong highways design knowledge, be ready to demonstrate your technical expertise. Bring along examples of your work, such as technical reports or designs, and be prepared to discuss how they meet adoptable standards.
✨Prepare for Negotiation Scenarios
As a confident negotiator, you’ll need to showcase your ability to manage discussions with consultants and developers. Think of a few scenarios where you had to negotiate amendments and prepare to explain your approach and the outcomes.
✨Demonstrate Your Leadership Qualities
This role involves managing staff performance and workloads, so be ready to talk about your leadership style. Share examples of how you've motivated junior staff in the past and how you handle pressure in fast-changing environments.