Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide)
Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide)

Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide)

Bristol Full-Time 42000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Jacobs

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead complex civil engineering projects and shape the future of transport infrastructure.
  • Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in transportation with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and well-being benefits.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on local and global transport projects.
  • Qualifications: Degree in engineering and experience in managing highways projects.
  • Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive, inclusive environment.

The predicted salary is between 42000 - 66000 £ per year.

Your impact

As a Principal Engineer or Associate Director in our Highways team, you’ll play a pivotal role in leading the delivery of complex civil engineering projects while shaping the future of transport infrastructure across the UK and beyond. You’ll drive technical excellence and ensure safety in design, championing innovation and identifying opportunities for automation and process efficiencies in every aspect of our work.

Responsibilities

You’ll lead and mentor a team of designers, coordinate the delivery of highways design solutions within programme and budget constraints, and collaborate with global discipline leads to deliver integrated, best‑practice services to our clients. You’ll also be responsible for generating accurate project forecasts and escalating scope changes that impact delivery. For those interested people leadership, opportunities exist to take on line management responsibilities and contribute to the development of our talented teams—though this is not a requirement for career progression at Jacobs.

Jacobs Scope

Jacobs is a recognised 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 transformative mega‑projects like NEOM The Line and King Khalid International Airport. Domestically, we’re delivering impactful local schemes for:

  • Manchester Airport Group
  • United Utilities
  • Cheshire East Council
  • West Yorkshire Combined Authority
  • Worcestershire County Council
  • Birmingham City Council
  • Derbyshire County Council
  • West of England Combined Authority

Qualifications & Skills

  • Experience in managing engineering design solutions in Transportation.
  • Relevant professional qualifications, such as a degree in engineering, CEng/IEng, or equivalent qualifications.
  • Technical experience in delivering local and/or major highways projects or landside alignment elements in adjacent markets such as Water or Aviation.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal), with the ability to convey 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 DMRB or international equivalents.
  • Sound knowledge of UK H&S legislation and a passion for fostering safety and wellbeing.
  • Capability to manage a workload that may be subject to change at short notice.
  • Ability to work independently and effectively within a global multi-disciplinary team.
  • Experience in the financial management and control of projects.

Benefits & Culture

Jacobs prioritises safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We provide flexible working arrangements, well‑being benefits, global giving and volunteering programmes and innovative ways to help our clients make the world a better place. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including our Employee Networks and Find Your Community initiatives.

Diversity & Inclusion

We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and are a disability‑confident employer. We support reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

Application Process

We are keen to adapt to every interaction. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments (for example, a different application format), please contact the Careers Support team.

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Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide) employer: Jacobs

At Jacobs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises safety, integrity, and inclusion. Our employees benefit from flexible working arrangements, comprehensive well-being programmes, and abundant opportunities for professional growth, all while contributing to transformative projects that shape the future of transport infrastructure across the UK and beyond. Join us to be part of a collaborative team that values diverse perspectives and fosters a sense of belonging, ensuring that every individual can thrive and make a meaningful impact.
Jacobs

Contact Detail:

Jacobs Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide)

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that who you know can sometimes be just as important as what you know, so don’t be shy about reaching out.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially in highways and civil engineering. We want you to show off your knowledge and passion for the role, so practice answering common interview questions and think of some insightful ones to ask too.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills! If you’ve led teams or projects before, make sure to highlight those experiences. We’re looking for someone who can inspire and guide others, so share specific examples of how you’ve done this in the past.

✨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 genuinely interested in joining Jacobs and being part of our mission to transform the world for good.

We think you need these skills to ace Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide)

Civil Engineering
Project Management
Highways Design
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Team Leadership
Design Standards Knowledge (DMRB)
Health and Safety Legislation
Financial Management
Technical Development
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Stakeholder Engagement
Innovation in Design

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Highways Technical Lead role. Highlight your relevant experience in managing engineering design solutions and any specific projects that align with Jacobs' focus on transport infrastructure.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for civil engineering and how your skills can contribute to our mission of transforming the world for good.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, be sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've mentored others and driven project success in previous roles.

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 you'll find all the details you need to make your application stand out!

How to prepare for a job interview at Jacobs

✨Know Your Technical Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to highways engineering. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, the design standards you've used, and how you've tackled challenges in past roles. This will show that you’re not just a leader but also a hands-on expert.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Since this role involves leading a team, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Talk about your mentoring style and how you’ve helped others grow in their careers. Highlight any experience you have with project management and how you keep your team motivated.

✨Communicate Clearly

Strong communication skills are key for this position. Practice explaining complex engineering concepts in simple terms, as you’ll need to convey ideas to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Consider preparing a few scenarios where you had to adapt your communication style to suit different audiences.

✨Understand the Company Culture

Research Jacobs' values and culture before your interview. They emphasise safety, integrity, and inclusion, so think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to fostering a positive work environment and support the company’s mission.

Highways Technical Lead / Team Leader (UK Wide)
Jacobs
Location: Bristol

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