Job Details

Principal Civil Engineer
An established engineering consultancy is looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to take a leading role within its Brighton office.
This is a hands-on technical leadership position for someone who combines strong civil engineering and drainage expertise with practical construction knowledge, project management capability and the confidence to lead both people and projects.
The Brighton office is a small, close-knit delivery team with a strong culture of working together and staying close to projects on the ground. The team has a growing pipeline and is looking for an experienced engineer who can help turn those opportunities into successfully delivered projects.
The role
You'll take technical and project leadership responsibility across a varied portfolio of civil engineering, highways and infrastructure schemes, working from inception and detailed design through to construction and completion.
Projects can range from smaller commissions through to major schemes valued in excess of £10m.
Your responsibilities will include:
andmiddot;Leading civil engineering, highways and drainage projects from inception through detailed design and construction
andmiddot;Providing specialist technical leadership in drainage
andmiddot;Developing and reviewing detailed design and build packages
andmiddot;Taking responsibility for technical approvals, design reviews and quality assurance
andmiddot;Managing project budgets, programmes, resources and technical delivery
andmiddot;Providing hands-on engineering input and resolving complex technical challenges
andmiddot;Working closely with contractors during project delivery
andmiddot;Managing and developing engineers within the team
andmiddot;Providing technical direction and mentoring to engineers and technicians
andmiddot;Building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders
andmiddot;Preparing fee estimates, proposals, programmes and resource plans
andmiddot;Supporting tenders and helping secure work through existing and newly awarded frameworks
andmiddot;Identifying opportunities to grow client relationships and engineering services
andmiddot;Coordinating delivery across multiple disciplines
andmiddot;Ensuring projects meet relevant quality, health & safety and CDM requirements
This is not a purely managerial position. You'll remain close to the engineering and be expected to bring the depth of technical knowledge needed to make decisions, solve problems and support delivery on the ground.
What we're looking for
You'll be an experienced civil engineering professional with the technical depth to operate confidently at Principal level.
Strong drainage expertise and NEC4 experience are essential.
You'll ideally bring:
andmiddot;Around 10+ years' relevant civil engineering, infrastructure, construction or consultancy experience
andmiddot;Extensive detailed design and project delivery experience
andmiddot;Strong specialist knowledge of drainage design
andmiddot;Practical NEC4 experience and an understanding of contractual duties
andmiddot;Experience taking projects through design and into construction
andmiddot;Strong knowledge of relevant civil engineering and highways design standards, including DMRB
andmiddot;Significant AutoCAD and Civil 3D experience
andmiddot;Experience providing technical oversight and approving engineering deliverables
andmiddot;Project management experience covering programme, budget, resources and quality
andmiddot;Experience managing, mentoring and developing engineers
andmiddot;Strong commercial and contractual awareness
andmiddot;Experience preparing fee estimates, proposals and tender submissions
andmiddot;An understanding of CDM duties and responsibilities
andmiddot;A Civil Engineering degree or equivalent professional qualification
andmiddot;Chartered membership of ICE or CIHT, or demonstrable progress towards Chartered status
A background that has given you direct exposure to contractors and construction delivery would be particularly valuable. This could come from consultancy/professional services or from an earlier contractor or site engineering career.
Why join?
The Brighton office offers something slightly different from a large, remote consultancy environment. It is a close-knit team where people work together in person, know their projects well and remain involved in delivery.
You'll join at an important point for the office, with newly secured frameworks creating opportunities across the South and genuine scope to influence how projects are delivered and how the team develops.
The package includes:
andmiddot;25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
andmiddot;Option to purchase up to five additional days' holiday
andmiddot;Healthcare cash plan
andmiddot;Retail, travel and social discounts
andmiddot;Cycle-to-work and Green Car schemes
andmiddot;Enhanced maternity and paternity packages, subject to eligibility
andmiddot;Career development and professional learning opportunities
The role is based in Brighton, with a minimum expectation of 2-3 days per week in the office. The existing team has a strong office-based culture, and someone who enjoys being present, collaborating face-to-face and being part of the day-to-day team will be particularly well suited.
If you're an experienced Civil Engineer with strong drainage and NEC4 knowledge who wants a technically involved Principal role with real influence over projects and people, this is an opportunity to make a tangible impact.

FOOTNOTE:

If you feel that you are right for this role technically, but the salary, location or seniority does not suit you specifically then please still feel free to send us your CV. We constantly recruit for roles very similar to this one at all levels UK Wide. We are always keen to chat with you discreetly about your employment situation.
Even if you are happy in your current role for now, we always welcome calls from Highways, Infrastructure & Transportation professionals keen to make their introductions for future months or years. Carrington West's Highways, Transport & Infrastructure division is the fastest growing in the country, our specialist team has a combined over 100+ years' experience in this market. Please call Eve Armstrong at Carrington West on (phone number removed) for more information.
By applying for this position, you are agreeing for Carrington West to hold and process your personal data in accordance with our Data Protection Policy. Your data will be shared with third party clients specifically relevant to any roles you have applied for. If at any stage, you wish to withdraw your consent please contact us.