Principal Engineer – Birmingham or Bristol

We are seeking to recruit an innovative, forward‑thinking and experienced Principal Engineer to take a leading role in delivering a diverse range of development schemes across the UK.

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute design expertise on highway schemes across commercial, residential, healthcare, and education projects within a dynamic and growing consultancy.

You will have experience in providing high‑quality design advice input across a wide range of projects, ensuring that all designs comply with current legislation, best practice, and local authority policies, while delivering work to the highest technical standards.

• Our ideal candidate
• Will Be Able To
• Run their own projects, providing mentoring to influence and develop junior team members
• Lead the design and management of highway schemes in accordance with relevant standards, including Local Highway Authority guidance, Manual for Streets, LTN 1/20, DMRB, and NRSWA
• Lead the design and management of highway drainage systems in line with Sewerage Sector Guidance, the Code for Adoption Agreements, and The Su DS Manual (CIRIA C753)
• Undertake the design and management of public realm, active travel, cycling infrastructure improvements, major highways, and utilities coordination
• Be a forward thinker when it comes to developing design solutions within existing constrained environments
• Undertake the production of technical reports, fee proposals and bids
• Liaise and negotiate with highway and planning authorities to agree proposed designs
• Lead the coordination of highway and drainage adoption processes and legal requirements, including S278, S38, and S104 agreements
• Demonstrate a proficient understanding of standard engineering practices, including Health and Safety and CDM regulations
• Lead meetings with clients, architects, contractors, local authorities, and other statutory bodies to discuss project issues
• A degree in Civil Engineering (or similar) with 8–9 years’ relevant post‑graduate experience, working towards or holding a professional qualification (Incorporated or Chartered)
• The ideal candidate will also have experience and knowledge of the following:
• Experience in leading the design of complex strategic and local highway schemes across the UK
• Sound understanding of national design standards and best practice, including knowledge of local authority and National Highways processes and requirements
• Experience with highway and drainage adoption agreements and processes, including S278, S38, and S104
• Experience in producing design packages from outline/detailed planning through to tender and construction
• Proficiency in the use and teaching of industry software, including Auto CAD, Civils 3D, Site 3D, Causeway Flow (or Info Drainage), Vehicle Tracking, and Key LINES/SIGN/POST
• Experience in earthworks design, including cut and fill analysis
• Experience in working collaboratively and attending meetings with clients, architects, contractors, and statutory authorities
• Ability to establish new client relationships to help develop and grow the business
• Experience in public realm design, traffic management, and/or utilities infrastructure would be an advantage
• A strong knowledge of highway design standards and best practice
• Strong communication and negotiation skills
• Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to maintain good records
• A proven track record of managing tasks and the delivery of projects on time and within budget
• Strong ability to produce technical reports, prepare and review fee proposals and bids
• Understanding of project financial management and control
• A flair for problem solving
• Rewards And Benefits
• An attractive and modern working environment with good accessibility by all modes of transport
• The opportunity to progress quickly within the firm
• A wide range of challenging projects
• Ongoing support, training and mentoring from senior professionals within the business with a real commitment from senior management towards personal and professional development
• We Also Offer An Attractive Benefits Package That Includes
• Competitive salary
• 25 days annual leave plus the ability to purchase additional leave
• Flexible working arrangements
• Option to participate in the Company Share Ownership scheme
• Private healthcare
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Tech scheme
• Payment of professional subscription
• Membership of our group pension scheme
• Life assurance

How To Apply

If you would like to be considered for this role, then please email your CV and a covering letter to recruit@pja. co. uk . Please ensure you state the role you are applying for in the email subject.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all.

Recruiters – We are not currently accepting speculative CVs for these roles, therefore please do not send CVs unless you have been specifically instructed to do so by the PJA HR team.

Thank you.

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