Head of Civil Engineering in Milton Keynes

Head of Civil Engineering

Application Deadline: 20 July 2026

Department: Engineering

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Milton Keynes

Description

A little bit about us: East West Rail is a nationally significant railway project which aims to deliver much‑needed transport connections for the vibrant communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. Together these communities contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year.

EWR is one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, which the government committed to delivering in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget, and again in the 2025 Spending Review as part of its ambition to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.

EWR is being championed by the Government as a key driver to economic growth leading to a potential £78 Billion boost to the UK economy: supporting new towns, housing, and regeneration.

Role Summary: As Head of Civil Engineering, you'll lead a team of Engineering Specialists, overseeing the design, construction, and maintenance of railway infrastructure. You'll bring strategic thinking, sound judgement on resourcing, and a strong grip on industry standards and regulatory compliance. This is a DPE‑equivalent role.

The technical function is responsible for the scheme's specification — interpreting the business case and translating it into a clear system requirements set. The work falls broadly into two areas: setting standards and requirements, and assuring they're met throughout design and delivery, across a range of technical domains.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the Engineering Specialist team, turning sponsor requirements into deliverable design requirements
• Developing and delivering strategic plans for engineering activity, aligned to the wider programme objectives
• Ensuring compliance with relevant safety, quality, and environmental standards
• Managing budgets, resources, and timelines to support efficient delivery
• Building a culture of continuous improvement and fresh thinking within the team
• Working collaboratively across departments and with external partners for joined‑up delivery
• Offering technical guidance and helping resolve complex engineering challenges
• Supporting and developing your direct reports — coaching for growth, managing performance fairly, and keeping systems up to date
• Taking ownership of your own and others' health and safety, in line with EWR Co's principles
• Keeping value for taxpayers' money front of mind in decision‑making
• Bringing a proactive, creative approach to solving problems
• Championing EWR Co's vision and ways of working, and encouraging others to do the same

Skills Knowledge and Expertise

What we're looking for:

• Substantial experience in civil engineering, ideally on large‑scale infrastructure projects (rail experience is advantageous but not essential)
• Experience leading engineering teams and managing complex projects
• Good working knowledge of relevant industry standards, regulations, and best practice
• NR/L2/RSE/02009 experience and/or experience in a nominated DPE role is desirable, but we welcome applications from candidates who can demonstrate equivalent experience gained in comparable regulatory environments

Preferred:

• Degree qualified in Civil / Structural Engineering or other relevant subject
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status and membership of a professional institution or demonstrable experience to that level

Benefits

Our people make the difference. Working at EWR, you’ll be part of a team that’s collaborative, supportive, and passionate about what we do. Our culture is built on inclusion, trust, and flexibility. We prioritise wellbeing so you can thrive personally and professionally. Here, your voice matters, and you’ll feel truly connected and empowered.

As part of Team EWR, you’ll gain unique breadth, influence, and development that shapes your career. It's a chance to do your best work and make a meaningful impact.

Our hybrid working approach is all about finding the right balance - supporting productivity and flexibility.

Our benefits package is designed to support you through every life stage helping you to be your best, plan for the future, and keep you growing.

• Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
• Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
• 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
• 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
• Enhanced family‑friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
• Find your tribe with our Pride, EWR Women in Rail, Culture Collective and Ability employee network groups
• Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
• Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
• Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
• Recognition programme, including quarterly and annual awards
• Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow and a structured Welcome Day to help you get up to speed quickly

Diversity and Inclusion

At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. If you require any adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know.

We are committed to improving representation across the rail and infrastructure sectors and particularly encourage applications from women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people and others who are currently underrepresented.

This job description outlines key responsibilities but is not exhaustive. Responsibilities may evolve as the programme develops.