Principal Highway Drainage Engineer in London

Principal Highway Drainage Engineer in London

London Full-Time 46142 - 50269 € / year (est.) No home office possible
Herefordshire Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage highway drainage systems and ensure timely resolution of reported issues.
  • Company: Join Herefordshire Council's Highways and Public Realm team during an exciting transformation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous annual leave, pension scheme, and clear career progression.
  • Other info: Be part of a dedicated team focused on positive change and local accountability.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and contribute to essential services.
  • Qualifications: Experience in highway drainage design and knowledge of relevant legislation required.

The predicted salary is between 46142 - 50269 € per year.

This is an exciting time to join the Highways and Public Realm team at Herefordshire Council. We’re transforming how highways and public realm services are delivered across Herefordshire, bringing them back under direct Council control for the first time in years. From June this year (2026), we’ll be working in a new way that gives us greater flexibility, more local accountability, and a sharper focus on quality and value for money. By joining us now, you’ll be part of a team shaping the future of essential services that residents rely on every day from maintaining roads and green spaces to keeping our streets clean and safe. We can offer the chance to make a real difference in your community, work with a dedicated team, and help deliver improvements that matter. If you’re looking for a role where you can take pride in what you do and be part of positive change, we’d love to hear from you.

In this role you will be responsible for managing the highway drainage system across Herefordshire. You will be the person who ensures that issues that are reported to us are investigated in a timely manner and that they then get fixed by raising jobs through to our partner contractors or through liaison with water companies through our annual programmes. You will also be responsible for developing and ensuring delivery of a county wide gully and drainage asset cleansing programme. You will work closely with our Flood Risk Management team to mitigate the likelihood and impact of flooding from the highway network on property and with our Road Safety and Traffic Management team to develop plans to keep the network moving in times of extreme weather.

About You

  • Knowledge / experience of investigating and resolving highway drainage system problems.
  • Experience of highway drainage design and designing and implementing SuDS.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of key highway legislation including the Highways Act 1980 and flood risk management legislation including the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, Flood Risk Regulations 2009, Land Drainage Act 1991, etc.
  • Experience of working positively with key stakeholders and communities.
  • Experience in reviewing highway drainage plans as part of the development management process, and willing to get involved in developing highway drainage schemes and progressing new projects.

We Offer

  • A competitive salary, holiday entitlement, and access to our contributory pension and staff benefits scheme.
  • Salary range of HC10 - £46,142 to £50,269 per annum.
  • Enrolment in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
  • Career progression: clear pathways to progress.
  • Annual Leave: 31 days’ annual leave (pro rata) plus.

Principal Highway Drainage Engineer in London employer: Herefordshire Council

Herefordshire Council is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to be part of a transformative team dedicated to enhancing the highways and public realm services in the community. With a strong focus on local accountability, employee growth, and a supportive work culture, you will enjoy competitive benefits including a generous salary, extensive annual leave, and a clear pathway for career progression. Join us in making a meaningful impact in Herefordshire, where your contributions will directly benefit residents and improve essential services.

Herefordshire Council

Contact Detail:

Herefordshire Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Highway Drainage Engineer in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially around highway drainage and flood risk management. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their transformation efforts.

Tip Number 3

Showcase your skills! Bring along a portfolio of your past projects related to highway drainage design and management. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your expertise in a tangible way.

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, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in Herefordshire.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Highway Drainage Engineer in London

Highway Drainage System Management
Investigation and Problem Resolution
Highway Drainage Design
Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS)
Knowledge of Highways Act 1980
Flood Risk Management Legislation
Stakeholder Engagement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with highway drainage systems and relevant legislation. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise!

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your written application, give examples of how you've tackled drainage issues in the past. We love to see candidates who can think on their feet and come up with effective solutions, so share those success stories!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the team!

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can process your application smoothly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Herefordshire Council

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of highway drainage systems and relevant legislation like the Highways Act 1980 and the Flood and Water Management Act 2010. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're serious about the role.

Show Your Problem-Solving Skills

Prepare examples of how you've investigated and resolved drainage issues in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you tackled them, as this will demonstrate your practical experience and ability to think on your feet.

Engage with Stakeholders

Since working positively with stakeholders is key, be ready to talk about your experience in this area. Share stories about how you've collaborated with communities or other teams to achieve successful outcomes, highlighting your communication skills.

Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect some scenario-based questions during the interview. They might ask how you'd handle a flooding issue or manage a gully cleansing programme. Think through potential scenarios beforehand so you can respond thoughtfully and showcase your strategic thinking.