Head of Civils​/Design CRE

Are you a Head of Civils / Design CRE (Rail Infrastructure) looking for your next contract opportunity?

Location:

Surrey Quays, London (Hybrid - 3 days onsite, 2 days remote)

Sector:
Rail Infrastructure / Civil Engineering
Type:
Contract
Duration:
Long-term assignment

Start Date:

ASAP (within 2-3 weeks)
Rate:
Dependant on experience
IR35 determination:
To be confirmed

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Civils / Design CRE to join a major rail infrastructure programme supporting a Maintenance a multi-million-pound contract awarded by Rail for London (RfL), a subsidiary of Transport for London (TfL). It covers the planned and reactive maintenance, faulting, and renewals across key London Overground assets.

This is a senior leadership position requiring a technically strong civil or structural engineering professional with extensive rail experience and a proven background in assurance, governance, and team leadership. The role is not design-focused; instead, it centres around engineering assurance, asset verification, and leading multidisciplinary teams delivering civil and structural works.

• Lead all civil and structural engineering activities across the programme.
• Act as the Civil Engineering Authority and provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Manage teams undertaking site inspections, asset reviews, and verification activities.
• Review and assure engineering reports, ensuring compliance with industry standards and client requirements.
• Oversee engineering governance, assurance processes, and technical approvals.
• Provide leadership and line management to engineers and site-based teams.

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or Structural Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) preferred.
• Significant experience within the rail sector.
• Strong background in engineering assurance, governance, and technical review.
• Demonstrable experience managing engineering teams and line management responsibilities.
• Experience reviewing and assuring civil and structural engineering outputs.
• Strong stakeholder management and leadership capabilities.

• Previous experience working on TfL projects.
• Knowledge of premises and lineside assets.
• Experience acting as CRE (Contractor's Responsible Engineer) or similar engineering authority.

• Opportunity to lead engineering assurance on a high-profile rail programme.
• Long-term contract potential on a major infrastructure project.
• Senior leadership role with significant influence across project delivery.

If you are a senior rail civil engineer with strong assurance and leadership experience and are looking to play a key role on a major London rail project, we would like to hear from you.