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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead highways design projects and mentor a talented team of engineers.
- Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in transportation solutions, transforming cities and environments.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options and a culture that values mental health and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on local and global projects while innovating for the future.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering design, relevant qualifications, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: We welcome diverse applicants and offer support for flexible working arrangements.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide)
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.
Primary 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 elevate 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. Internationally, we contribute to some of the world\’s mega projects, including NEOM The Line and King Khalid International Airport. Domestically, we collaborate with councils and transport authorities in major towns and cities, offering you the chance to work on impactful local projects.
In the North, we are delivering schemes for Manchester Airport Group, United Utilities, Cheshire East Council, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. In the Midlands and South‑West, we are engaged in frameworks for Worcestershire County Council, Birmingham City Council, Derbyshire County Council, and the West of England Combined Authority.
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.
Locations
- London, Greater London, United Kingdom
- Wokingham, Berkshire, United Kingdom
- Manchester, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
- Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
- Leeds, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
- Glasgow, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom
- Edinburgh, East Lothian, United Kingdom
- Stockton on Tees, County Durham, United Kingdom
- Belfast, Antrim, United Kingdom
- Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom
Join us as we build the future of transport across the UK. Apply today.
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Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide) employer: Jacobs
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 with professionals in the highways and civil engineering sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues at Jacobs and learn more about their projects and culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Jacobs' recent projects and initiatives in the transportation sector. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your interest and understanding of their work during any interviews or discussions.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership and mentoring experience in previous roles. Highlight specific examples where you've led teams or contributed to the development of junior engineers, as this aligns with the responsibilities of the Principal Engineer role.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to safety and design standards in highways engineering. Be ready to share how you have implemented safety measures and adhered to regulations in past projects, as this is crucial for Jacobs' commitment to safety.
We think you need these skills to ace Highways Principal Engineer (UK Wide)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in managing engineering design solutions, particularly in transportation. Emphasise any qualifications such as a degree in engineering or professional certifications like CEng or IEng.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for highways design and your commitment to safety and innovation. Mention specific projects you've worked on that align with Jacobs' focus on impactful local projects and technical excellence.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Clearly outline your technical experience with local and major highways projects. Include your familiarity with design standards like the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) and your understanding of UK Health & Safety legislation.
Highlight Leadership Experience: If you have experience leading small project teams or mentoring junior engineers, make sure to include this in your application. Jacobs values collaboration and leadership, so demonstrating your ability to support team development will strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
As a Highways Principal Engineer, it's crucial to demonstrate your technical knowledge in highways design and engineering. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Highlight your familiarity with design standards like the Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) to show you're up to date with industry practices.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Mentoring Skills
This role involves leading and mentoring a team, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully guided others in previous positions. Discuss your approach to fostering a collaborative environment and how you support the technical development of your team members. This will demonstrate your capability to manage and inspire a small project team.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think about past experiences where you had to make critical decisions under pressure, particularly in project delivery or safety management. Articulating your thought process clearly will showcase your ability to handle real-world challenges.
✨Align with Jacobs' Values
Jacobs places a strong emphasis on safety, integrity, inclusion, and diversity. Familiarise yourself with these values and think about how they resonate with your own professional philosophy. During the interview, express your commitment to these principles and provide examples of how you've embodied them in your work.
