At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us in delivering exciting groundworks and infrastructure projects across London and the South East.
- Company: Dynamic civils contractor with a focus on collaboration and safety.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Work on live sites with a supportive team and clear communication.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on diverse projects while working outdoors and gaining valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in site engineering and a practical understanding of civil engineering packages.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 49999 £ per year.
Experienced site engineer to support delivery of groundworks, drainage, highways and infrastructure projects on residential, commercial and adoption-led schemes.
Salary: £40,000 – £49,999 per year: Depending on experience, tickets held and project exposure
Location: London & South East
Employment: Full time
Sector: Groundworks & infrastructure
About this role
You will work on live civils packages where setting out accuracy, QA records and coordination with site management directly affect programme, adoption and handover. Mainline Groundworks delivers enabling works, substructure and external infrastructure for developers, housebuilders and principal contractors. Site engineers on our packages are involved from setting out through to as-built records — not desk-based roles detached from the site.
- Groundworks and enabling packages on housing and commercial schemes
- Foul and surface water drainage, manholes and adoptable sewer interfaces
- Estate roads, kerbs, footways and S38 adoption works
- Highway tie-ins, S278 interfaces and traffic management zones
- Utility coordination, trial holes and service protection
- Foundation and substructure interfaces with follow-on trades
What you will do on site
- Setting out for earthworks, drainage, roads and external works to issued design
- QA checks, level control and dimensional records for inspection hold points
- Coordination with site management, foremen and subcontract gangs
- Utilities and drainage interfaces — clashes, protection and revised lines
- As-built surveys, red-line mark-ups and record packs for adoption
- Client, consultant and subcontractor liaison on technical queries
- Supporting RAMS, method statements and safe working set-ups
- Attending progress meetings and flagging programme risk early
What we need from you
- Previous site engineering experience on groundworks or civil engineering packages
- Practical understanding of drainage, roads or infrastructure delivery — not building-only background
- Competent use of setting out equipment (total station / GPS as applicable)
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD for reading and marking drawings
- Valid CSCS card and full UK driving licence
- Ability to produce clear site records under programme pressure
Also useful — not essential
- S38, S104 or S278 adoption experience on development sites
- Residential phase handover or housebuilder plot infrastructure
- Working with principal contractors on live, multi-trade sites
- Utility diversion or statutory undertaker coordination
- Degree or HNC in civil engineering (not essential if site experience is strong)
On site with our teams
Live groundworks, drainage and infrastructure delivery — the environments this role supports day to day.
Current projects & opportunities
The role supports delivery across a range of civils packages — representative categories of work our site teams are engaged on.
- Roads & Sewer Adoption Packages Estate roads, S38/S104 interfaces and adoptable drainage on residential phases.
- Residential Enabling Works Plot infrastructure, earthworks and external works ahead of main build.
- Commercial Infrastructure Delivery Enabling packages, external works and civils coordination on commercial schemes.
- Drainage & Utility Diversions Foul and surface water runs, manholes, trial holes and statutory undertaker interfaces.
- Foundation & Piling Packages Substructure support, formation works and interfaces with follow-on trades.
- Site Preparation & Earthworks Clearance, cut and fill, formation levels and programme-led sequencing.
Where you will work
- Commercial developments and mixed-use schemes across London and the South East
- Residential phases for housebuilders — estate roads, sewers and plot infrastructure
- Infrastructure-led packages with adoption milestones and authority inspections
- Regular interface with developers, project managers and principal contractor teams
- Outdoor site work in all seasons — practical delivery, not office-based engineering
Why this role
- Consistent pipeline of groundworks and infrastructure work
- Exposure to varied project types — drainage, roads, utilities and enabling works
- Opportunity to progress with a growing civils contractor
- Collaborative site teams with clear communication and safety focus
- Practical role with direct influence on programme and quality outcomes
- Work on adoption-led schemes with real technical variety
- Site-facing role with responsibility from setting out to records
- Projects across residential, commercial and infrastructure sectors
- Safety-first culture on live development sites
Application process
We review every application manually. Shortlisted candidates are contacted directly — recruitment agencies are not accepted.
- Step 1 Submit application
- Step 2 Initial review
- Step 3 Telephone discussion
- Step 4 Project experience review
- Step 5 Offer
Apply for this role
Complete the form below. We review every application manually — incomplete or generic submissions are filtered automatically.
Please allow a few minutes to complete this form thoughtfully — incomplete or rushed submissions are filtered automatically.
Site Engineer – Groundworks & Infrastructure Projects – London & South East employer: Mainlinegroundworks
Mainline Groundworks is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where site engineers can thrive on diverse groundworks and infrastructure projects across London and the South East. With a strong focus on employee growth, safety, and collaboration, we provide our team with the opportunity to directly influence project outcomes while enjoying a supportive culture that values clear communication and practical delivery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Site Engineer – Groundworks & Infrastructure Projects – London & South East
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Mainlinegroundworks, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Site Engineer – Groundworks & Infrastructure Projects – London & South East at Mainlinegroundworks.
We think you need these skills to ace Site Engineer – Groundworks & Infrastructure Projects – London & South East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mainlinegroundworks
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
