Senior Civil Engineer in Edinburgh

With a strong confirmed order book and a growing pipeline of multi‐disciplinary projects—including highways/roads, major infrastructure works, substations, transmission and distribution reinforcement, and onshore cabling—we have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Civil Engineer to join our rapidly expanding team in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

This is your chance to work on projects that improve connectivity, strengthen critical infrastructure, and support sustainable development across the UK. If you are passionate about civil engineering design, sustainability, and delivering innovative solutions, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career within a collaborative and forward‐thinking environment.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As a Senior Civil Engineer, you will take ownership of the production and delivery of design packages for concept, tender, detailed, and construction phases of infrastructure projects. You will lead civil engineering design for highways/roads, access tracks, bridges, retaining structures, drainage systems, and associated works, ensuring buildability, value engineering, and compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards. Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing concept designs for planning and third‐party consent/approval preparation of sustainable drainage proposals.
• Liaising with statutory consultees such as Local Authorities, SEPA, and EA.
• Coordinating with geotechnical, structural, environmental, and planning teams to deliver integrated multi‐disciplinary solutions.
• Acting as the client's key point of contact to manage design packages and ensure timely delivery to programme and budget while applying HSQE principles throughout the project lifecycle.
• Providing technical leadership to junior engineers, overseeing quality assurance processes, and contributing to project management frameworks.
• Managing health, safety, and environmental hazards, communicating residual risks effectively, and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and guidance.

Your Impact in this Position

You will play a pivotal role in delivering infrastructure that supports economic growth and sustainable development. Success in this role is measured through technical excellence, proactive collaboration, and effective leadership. In the short term, you will focus on producing and reviewing high‐quality design outputs and supporting project delivery. Over time, you will develop greater responsibility for client engagement, leadership of multi‐disciplinary teams, and strategic contributions to our infrastructure offering.

Your Toolkit for Success at Tetra Tech RPS

At Tetra Tech RPS, we recruit using core capabilities—the essential skills, experience, and responsibilities required to perform the role effectively. But here’s the secret: there’s no such thing as the perfect candidate. If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we’d love to hear from you.

Technical Expertise in Civil Infrastructure Design

• Extensive experience in civil engineering design, ideally within highways/roads, renewable energy, or major infrastructure projects.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and drainage design software such as Causeway Flow or MicroDrainage.
• Knowledge of DMRB standards, sustainable drainage design, and hydraulic modelling highly advantageous.
• Familiarity with earthworks materials, testing requirements, and construction methodologies to deliver practical and cost‐effective solutions.

Leadership & Project Delivery

• Experience leading design teams and managing multi‐disciplinary projects.
• Planning workloads, monitoring progress, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and client specifications.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities effectively.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Excellent communication skills are essential.
• Liaise confidently with clients, contractors, and statutory bodies, contributing to meetings, preparing technical reports, and presenting design solutions clearly.
• Build positive relationships and collaborate across teams to underpin successful project outcomes.

Innovation & Sustainability Leadership

• Champion innovative approaches to civil engineering design, integrating sustainability principles into every stage of project delivery.
• Promote low‐carbon solutions, optimise material reuse, and support whole‐life carbon assessments.

Commercial Awareness & Client Focus

• Strong understanding of project economics, including cost control, risk management, and value engineering.
• Anticipate client needs, provide pragmatic advice, and contribute to work‐winning activities.

Mandatory Requirements

• BSc, BEng, MSc, or MEng degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Extensive experience in civil engineering design and project delivery, ideally within highways/roads, renewable energy, or major infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record of technical competence in geometric design, drainage systems, and earthworks.
• Strong understanding of HSQE principles and statutory requirements.
• Confidence in leading multi‐disciplinary teams and managing complex design packages from concept through to detailed stages.
• Full UK driving licence required for site visits and travel.

Desirable

• Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status with ICE or CIHT, or candidates actively working toward professional accreditation.
• Experience in work‐winning activities and client relationship management.
• Familiarity with environmental impact assessments and permitting processes.
• Knowledge of sustainable drainage systems and hydraulic modelling.
• Proficiency in project management frameworks and quality assurance processes.

About Tetra Tech RPS

Tetra Tech RPS is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment across all areas of our organisation. We recognise that a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives contributes to a more dynamic, innovative, and supportive workplace where every individual is empowered to share their professional knowledge and experience, and contribute meaningfully.

We are dedicated to building a culture of respect and equity, where people are valued regardless of their ethnicity, gender identity, age, belief system, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. If you need accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‐to‐day role, please inform us.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list. Any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.