Principal Engineer - Highways

Let’s transform society together…

We’re Sweco.

We’re future planners, city shapers, urban innovators, digital transformers, net zero chasers, community connectors, social enterprisers and lifestyle improvers.

We’re difference makers.

We’re Europe’s leading design, engineering, environment and regulatory consultancy and we’re now recruiting for a Principal Engineer to join our Highways team in Leeds.

These roles can be worked flexibly, with a minimum of 3 days in the office and the option of adjusted start and finish times.

Please note we will be relocating to a modern, riverside Leeds City Centre office mid next year from our current base in Chapel Allerton.

Our highway and transportation engineering teams are recognised industry leaders and operate across several markets including strategic roads, urban city/town centre interventions and private developments. We have a strong portfolio of local and national clients, some of our recent projects include York Central, Bradford City Centre, Bradford Kings Road and Wakefield Road corridors, A641 in Brighouse, Connecting North East Calderdale, Manchester Streets for All, Sheffield TCF and M25 J28. We use the latest design software and techniques to produce innovative and efficient design solutions for our clients with safety and sustainability at the forefront of our minds.

What does the role involve?

Working with Sweco will give you the opportunity to work on landmark projects and schemes of all shapes and sizes. You will also learn from people who share a passion for working together with our customers to deliver technical excellence.

Working in the highways team, you will work within all project stages from inception through to construction and handover and have opportunity to support our highways, drainage and pavement disciplines and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary project team. Our highways team work on a wide range of national and regional projects and you will have the opportunity to broaden your expertise and work collaboratively.

As Principal Engineer, you will lead a highways team or act as design manager as part of a multi-disciplinary project for major highway improvements, placemaking, active travel and public realm schemes. Utilising your technical expertise, you will support other project teams through a role as Technical Authority, providing advice and guidance and technical approval of deliverables.

You Will Be Responsible For

• Leading and managing highways design teams ensuring quality, safety, and compliance with standards.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated and sustainable solutions.
• Ensuring deliverables are carried out within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians.
• Engaging with clients and stakeholders to understand their needs and provide expert advice.
• Preparation and review of technical reports, feasibility studies, and design documentation.
• Driving technical excellence.

To Be Successful In This Role You’ll Possess

• A relevant professional qualification, for example a degree in engineering.
• CEng / IEng or equivalent qualifications or working towards.
• Enthusiasm to lead small project teams effectively and support their technical development.
• Experience of undertaking geometry design in accordance with DMRB and / or LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design, using Civils 3D software or similar software packages
• Good understanding and application of highway regulations and guidance such as Manual for Streets, DMRB, TSRGD, MCHW and Traffic Signs Manuals.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to communicate different design options to internal and external stakeholders.
• A desire to learn, progress and challenge yourself.

What’s in it for you?

This is an exciting time to join Sweco and if you want to be part of a company who is small in all the best ways but large enough to provide a diverse and exciting workload, this job is for you.

You will continue to learn from experienced people who share a passion for working together with our clients to deliver technical excellence.

If you possess the skills we are looking for and are eager to join a company that offers real opportunities for career advancement, we would love to hear from you.

Let’s work together to transform society at Sweco!

Benefits

• Flexible and Hybrid Working
• Competitive Pension Contribution
• Life Assurance
• Car Allowance
• Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme
• Payment of 2 Professional Subscriptions
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and the option to buy up to 5 additional days per year
• Support through professional accreditation processes with bonuses and salary review on achievement
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK .

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. “reasonable adjustments”) with the application process?

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact [email protected] for assistance.

In order to address your request the following information is needed:

• Name
• The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)
• The position title
• Requisition/vacancy number

Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.

Sweco UK&I have an internal resourcing team who are responsible for all recruiting activity. We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted agencies who we work with on those “hard to fill” roles.

We have defined processes for recruitment applications and it is company policy not to accept speculative CVs. Any speculative CVs received into the business (whether to a manager or member of the resourcing team) will become the property of Sweco and the agency will not be eligible for an introductory fee.

Our Preferred Supplier List was reviewed in November 2024 and we are not looking to add any additional agencies. We’ll be reviewing the PSL again at the end of 2025 and non-compliance with the above statements could be detrimental to you having the opportunity to be included.

Our Talent Community for experienced professionals is a great way to keep up to date with our latest news, insights, future vacancies, as well as gaining access to exclusive events hosted by our experts.

To learn more Join Our Talent Community - Sweco United Kingdom