Principal Highways Engineer

Principal Highways Engineer

Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and innovate on complex highways and infrastructure projects.
  • Company: Join a friendly and collaborative team at Stantec in Birmingham.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and industry-leading training.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of infrastructure while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
  • Qualifications: Degree in civil engineering and chartered skills preferred.
  • Other info: Be part of exciting projects with excellent career growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal Engineer to join our Civil Infrastructure team in Birmingham. We’ve built a great reputation over the years and now we look to focus on establishing and growing our capability in the West Midlands and beyond.

About The Team

We work across a variety of clients from National contractors and developers through to UK Statutory Bodies enabling us to work on diverse and challenging projects. This enables us to deploy best practice and bring the latest ideas to our delivery.

Role Overview & Key Responsibilities

As a Principal Highways Engineer, you will provide technical leadership and strategic oversight across a range of complex highways and infrastructure projects. You will play a key role in shaping project direction, assuring technical quality, mentoring teams, and supporting business growth.

Core Responsibilities

  • Lead the planning, design, and delivery of highways and transportation schemes from feasibility through to detailed design and construction support.
  • Act as a technical authority on highways design, ensuring compliance with relevant standards, legislation, and best practice (e.g. DMRB, Manual for Streets, local authority guidance).
  • Oversee and review technical outputs, providing assurance on quality, safety, and constructability.
  • Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams, ensuring effective collaboration and integration with wider infrastructure disciplines.
  • Provide expert advice to clients, stakeholders, and project teams, contributing to problem‑solving and value engineering initiatives.
  • Support project management activities, including programme planning, resource management, and risk identification and mitigation.
  • Prepare and review technical reports, drawings, specifications, and cost estimates to a high professional standard.

Additional Principal‑Level Duties

  • Provide strategic input into project bids, tenders, and fee proposals, including defining scope, methodology, and resourcing.
  • Act as a key client interface, building and maintaining strong relationships and representing the business in meetings, workshops, and public consultations.
  • Mentor, coach, and develop junior and mid‑level engineers, supporting technical progression, professional development, and succession planning.
  • Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of highways design standards, processes, and best practice across the business.
  • Support business development activities by identifying opportunities, contributing to thought leadership, and promoting the highways capability internally and externally.
  • Review and sign off technical deliverables where appropriate, taking accountability for design integrity and risk.
  • Provide leadership on health, safety, and wellbeing, embedding a strong safety culture within project teams.
  • Stay abreast of industry developments, policy changes, and emerging technologies, advising on their application to current and future projects.

Leadership & Influence

  • Champion collaboration, innovation, and high technical standards across all highways‑related activities.
  • Act as a role model for professional conduct, ethical practice, and inclusive leadership.
  • Support the wider strategic objectives of the business through proactive engagement and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

  • Degree qualified in civil engineering or similar.
  • Chartered Skills with Civils 3D, Infodrainage and utility coordination are advantageous.

Why Join us?

The friendly and collaborative culture at Stantec is something we are proud of, and we have many other reasons for you to be excited about joining us. We offer a competitive salary, hybrid and flexible working arrangements, industry leading training, great projects and lots more!

Principal Highways Engineer employer: Stantec Consulting International Ltd.

Stantec is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and collaborative work culture in Birmingham that fosters innovation and professional growth. As a Principal Highways Engineer, you will benefit from competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, and access to industry-leading training while working on diverse and impactful projects that shape the infrastructure landscape. Join us to be part of a team that values mentorship, technical excellence, and a strong commitment to health and safety.
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Contact Detail:

Stantec Consulting International Ltd. Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Highways Engineer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the civil engineering field, especially those who work in highways. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your best projects and achievements in highways engineering. This will help you stand out during interviews and discussions with potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Stay updated on industry trends! Follow relevant news and developments in highways and infrastructure. This knowledge will not only impress interviewers but also help you contribute valuable insights during conversations.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. It shows initiative and enthusiasm, which we really appreciate!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Highways Engineer

Technical Leadership
Strategic Oversight
Highways Design
Project Management
Compliance with DMRB and Manual for Streets
Multidisciplinary Team Coordination
Client Relationship Management
Problem-Solving
Value Engineering
Technical Report Preparation
Mentoring and Coaching
Health and Safety Leadership
Continuous Improvement
Civil Engineering Degree
Civils 3D and Infodrainage Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Highways Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in highways design and project management, and don’t forget to mention any specific software skills like Civils 3D or Infodrainage.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our team's goals. Be sure to mention your leadership experience and how you can contribute to our collaborative culture.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise: In your application, be sure to showcase your technical knowledge and experience with relevant standards and legislation. Mention any complex projects you've led and how you ensured compliance and quality throughout the process.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Stantec Consulting International Ltd.

✨Know Your Technical Stuff

As a Principal Highways Engineer, you’ll need to showcase your technical expertise. Brush up on relevant standards like DMRB and Manual for Streets. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will demonstrate your capability to lead complex infrastructure projects.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

This role involves mentoring and managing teams, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led multidisciplinary teams. Highlight any experiences where you’ve influenced project direction or improved team collaboration, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.

✨Prepare for Client Interaction

Since you'll be acting as a key client interface, think about times when you've built strong relationships with clients or stakeholders. Prepare to discuss how you handle client meetings and consultations, as well as how you contribute to problem-solving and value engineering initiatives.

✨Stay Updated on Industry Trends

Demonstrating your knowledge of current industry developments and emerging technologies can set you apart. Research recent changes in highways design standards and be ready to discuss how these could impact future projects. This shows your commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

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