Principal Engineer (Highways) in Newcastle upon Tyne

Overview

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions relied on by more than 50 million people every day. For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs.

Context

The primary role of a Principal Engineer (Highways) is to utilise substantial experience to win and deliver projects safely and in accordance with divisional controls for bidding and revenue and margin delivery on projects, primarily for the Highways team, while working collaboratively across teams and projects as required. The role will form part of an existing team delivering a varied programme of highway and transportation schemes for a wide range of public and private sector clients across both the local and strategic highway networks. It will focus on development infrastructure projects from feasibility through to detailed design including highway design and drainage design, associated technical and statutory authority approvals.

Responsibilities

• Manage and lead designs on small projects, assisting in delivery, budgets, resourcing, planning, and programming on other projects with the senior team.
• Prepare technical outputs, coordinate with other disciplines and represent the team internally and externally.
• Maintain financial, technical, and project management control of civil engineering aspects of projects of various sizes.
• Delegate, manage, and direct Engineers and Technicians involved on projects.
• Support the development of less experienced Engineers.
• Ensure all stages of highway designs (adoptable or non‑adoptable) comply with appropriate standards (DMRB, MCHW, MfS, TSM, local authority guides, etc.).
• Design and detail highway and drainage infrastructure.
• Liaise with relevant project teams to ensure designs are fully coordinated.
• Liaise with other construction professionals in the development of designs.
• Assist and prepare technical outputs within the team: drawings, specifications, cost estimates, contract documents and technical reports.
• Prepare and price scope/briefs, proposals, and deliverables for new projects.
• Identify, develop and maintain relationships with clients and understand ultimate objectives and desired outcomes for each project, effectively managing client expectations.
• Ensure successful project delivery to time, cost, quality and other contractual requirements.
• Make presentations to clients, third parties and colleagues as appropriate.
• Attend meetings with clients as required to support project delivery and business development.
• Undertake site visits to monitor progress of works against specifications, highlighting issues to the contractor, client, and/or project manager as necessary.
• Demonstrate behaviours aligned with SYSTRA’s behavioural framework by fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, respect, and empowerment.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in the Highways/Development Infrastructure sector.
• MEng/MSc or BEng in Civil Engineering.
• Chartered status (ICE or CIHT) or actively working toward professional qualification.
• Extensive civil engineering experience within a consultancy environment.
• Proven ability to take a lead role in project delivery and manage dynamic project teams delivering high‑quality projects.
• Substantial knowledge of delivering highway design and appropriate approval processes.
• Experience of highway technical design on major and minor projects, with a good understanding of design principles and practical application.
• Proficiency in appropriate standards (DMRB, MCHW, MfS, TSM, local authority guides, etc.).
• Knowledge of standard engineering practices and health & safety, including CDM.
• IT literacy with excellent use of Auto‑CAD/Civils 3D and/or other civil engineering packages.
• Experience of project management and responsibility for financial and commercial aspects of projects.
• Experience of drainage design is beneficial.
• Innovative problem‑solving and value creation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with colleagues, clients and third parties.
• Ability to mentor and supervise less experienced colleagues.
• Collaborative working with design teams and project stakeholders.
• Ability to prepare technical reports and fee proposals which are fit for purpose.
• Ability to effectively represent the company externally.
• Self‑management of workload and prioritisation of competing demands.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with both public and private sector clients.
• Knowledge of and engagement with the civil engineering industry.
• Adaptability, self‑motivation, enthusiasm, hard work, and desire for self‑progress.
• Flexibility, agility, and willingness to learn new skills.
• Ability to see the bigger picture and understand the consequences of decisions.

Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package including bonus and private healthcare.
• Electric car scheme.
• Broad suite of flexible benefits to suit lifestyle.
• Hybrid working with a flexible working policy.

Equal Opportunity Statement

We pledge to offer an interview to any candidates with a disability who apply for a role and meet the minimum criteria.