Principal Engineer; Highways

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project‑manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are 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 transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility and innovation at the heart of our designs.

The primary role of a Principal Engineer (Highways) is to utilise substantial experience to win and deliver projects safely and in accordance with the divisional controls for bidding and revenue and margin delivery on projects, primarily for the Highways team, but working collaboratively across teams and projects as required. The role will form part of an existing team already 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, and associated technical and statutory authority approvals.

• Managing and leading designs on small projects, whilst also inputting and assisting in delivery, budgets, resourcing, planning, and programming on other projects with the senior team.
• Preparing technical outputs, coordinating with other disciplines and representing the team internally and externally.
• Responsible for the financial, technical and project management control of the civil engineering aspects of projects of various sizes.
• Delegating to, managing and directing Engineers and Technicians involved on projects.
• Supporting the development of less experienced Engineers.
• Responsible for all stages of highway designs (adoptable or non‑adoptable) ensuring compliance with appropriate standards (DMRB, MCHW, MfS, TSM, Local Authority guides, etc).
• Designing and detailing highway and drainage infrastructure.
• Liaising with relevant project teams to ensure designs are fully coordinated.
• Liaising with other construction professionals in the development of designs.
• Assisting and preparing technical outputs within the team (drawings, specifications, cost estimates, contract documents and technical reports).
• Preparing and pricing scope/briefs, proposals and deliverables for new projects.
• Identifying, developing and maintaining relationships with clients and understanding ultimate objectives and desired outcomes for each project, effectively managing client expectations.
• Ensuring successful project delivery to time, cost, quality and other contractual requirements.
• Making presentations to clients, third parties and colleagues as appropriate.
• Attending meetings with clients as required to effectively support project delivery and business development.
• Undertaking site visits to monitor the progress of works against specifications and highlighting issues to the contractor, client and/or project manager as necessary.
• Demonstrating behaviours aligned with SYSTRA’s behavioural framework by fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, respect and empowerment.

• Substantial experience in the Highways/Development Infrastructure sector.
• MEng/MSc or BEng in Civil Engineering.
• Chartered status (ICE or CIHT) or working toward a 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 successfully.
• Substantial knowledge and experience of delivering highway design and appropriate approval processes.
• Experience of…