Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide)
Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide)

Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide)

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative highways design projects and mentor a talented team.
  • Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in transportation engineering with global impact.
  • Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a difference in communities while working on mega projects.
  • Qualifications: Experience in transportation engineering and strong communication skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on safety and collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

We are seeking experienced highways design and discipline leads at Principal Engineer and Associate Director levels to join our expanding teams across the UK. As a seasoned professional, you will play a crucial role in both project delivery and the technical mentoring of our talented team members.

Responsibilities:

  • Drive technical excellence and ensure safety in design within team deliverables.
  • Champion opportunities for automation and process efficiencies in all aspects of our work.
  • Lead and mentor a small team of designers on projects.
  • Generate bottom-up forecasts of project hours for your team or discipline by project, and escalate any scope changes impacting delivery.
  • Coordinate the delivery of Civils highways design solutions within programme and budget constraints.
  • Collaborate with discipline leads globally to provide an integrated and best practice service to our clients, challenging the status quo to innovate for the future.

Line Management: While line management is not required for career progression at Jacobs, opportunities exist for those interested in people leadership to supervise staff locally and become a valued part of our team.

About The Opportunity:

Jacobs is a market leader in the transportation sector, working with major clients such as National Highways, Transport Scotland, the Welsh Government, and global contractors. Domestically, we collaborate with councils and transport authorities in major towns and cities, offering you the chance to work on impactful local projects.

Qualifications:

  • Experience in managing engineering design solutions in transportation.
  • Attained a relevant professional qualification, for example a degree in engineering / CEng / IEng or equivalent qualifications.
  • Technical experience of delivering local and/or major highways projects or the land side alignment elements in adjacent markets such as Water or Aviation.
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to communicate different design options to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to lead small project teams effectively and support their technical development.
  • Thorough understanding of commonly used design standards such as Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) or international equivalents.
  • Sound knowledge of UK Health & Safety legislation and a passion for fostering safety and wellbeing.
  • Capable of managing a workload which may be subject to change at short notice.
  • Ability to work independently and effectively within a global multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience of the financial management and control of projects.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role. We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide) employer: Jacobs

At Jacobs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our employees benefit from extensive growth opportunities, including technical mentoring and involvement in high-impact projects across the UK and internationally. With a commitment to safety, flexibility through our hybrid working policy, and a focus on community engagement, Jacobs is dedicated to creating a rewarding environment for all team members.
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Contact Detail:

Jacobs Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their recent work, especially in highways design. We want you to show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their mission and values.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. We suggest using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This way, you’ll clearly demonstrate your experience and how it aligns with the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the position and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance at landing that role!

We think you need these skills to ace Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide)

Highways Design
Project Delivery
Technical Mentoring
Safety in Design
Automation and Process Efficiency
Civils Highways Design Solutions
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Team Leadership
Design Standards (DMRB)
UK Health & Safety Legislation
Financial Management of Projects
Adaptability to Change
Multi-disciplinary Team Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Highways Principal Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing engineering design solutions and any specific projects that align with Jacobs' focus on transportation.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your technical expertise, especially in highways design and safety standards. Mention any relevant qualifications like CEng or IEng, as well as your familiarity with design standards such as DMRB.

Communicate Clearly: Since good communication skills are key, ensure your written application is clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain your design options and project experiences, making it easy for us to see your potential.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and allows us to keep track of all applicants efficiently.

How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs

✨Know Your Technical Stuff

As a Principal Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in highways design. Brush up on the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and be ready to discuss how you've applied these standards in past projects. Show them you can drive technical excellence!

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

You'll likely be leading a small team, so prepare examples of how you've mentored others or led projects. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you helped your team overcome them. This will highlight your ability to support technical development.

✨Be Ready to Discuss Project Management

Familiarise yourself with financial management and project control. Be prepared to talk about how you've forecasted project hours and managed scope changes. Jacobs values efficiency, so showing your understanding of budget constraints will impress them.

✨Communicate Clearly

Strong communication skills are key in this role. Practice explaining complex design options in simple terms, as you'll need to convey ideas to both internal and external stakeholders. Clear communication can set you apart from other candidates.

Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide)
Jacobs

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