Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control in Liverpool

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We have ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do.

Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.

We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone! Liverpool City Council’s Network Management Team are recruiting to a number of exciting new positions - offering you the chance to be part of a dynamic team dedicated to innovative network management and urban development.

We are seeking a skilled Principal Engineer to support the UTC Team Leader in leading the UTC team.

The role:

• You will play a key role in keeping the city moving through good management, maintenance and programming of traffic signals across the city.
• The ideal candidate for the role of Principal Engineer will possess a qualification in Engineering and/or significant experience in the design, installation, commission and management of citywide traffic signal controls and in the procurement, management and delivery of highway improvement, ITS and/or other engineering projects.

Our offer to you:

• At least 31 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 35 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days.
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception.
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme.
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning.
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme.
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes.
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme.
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave.
• Discounted Gym Memberships.
• Employee Volunteering Scheme.
• Medicash.

Next steps:

• Closing date: midnight on Thursday 29th January 2026.
• Shortlisting date: Monday 9th February 2026.
• Interview date: Tuesday 17th February 2026.
• Interview type: face-to-face competency interview.

We reserve the right to close vacancies earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applications. If interested, please complete an application as early as possible.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact Kyle.Ritchie@liverpool.gov.uk.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.

If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us at recruitment@liverpool.gov.uk.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.