Senior Civil Engineer - Scotland

Senior Civil Engineer

Engineer the Future of Infrastructure

With a strong confirmed order book and a growing pipeline of multi-disciplinary projects—including highways/roads, major infrastructure works, substations, transmission and distribution reinforcement, and onshore windfarms—we have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Civil Engineer to join our rapidly expanding team in Glasgow or Edinburgh.

This is your chance to work on projects that improve connectivity, strengthen critical infrastructure, and support sustainable development across the UK. If you are passionate about civil engineering design, sustainability, and delivering innovative solutions, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As a Senior Civil Engineer, you will take ownership of the production and delivery of design packages for concept, tender, detailed, and construction phases of infrastructure projects. You will lead civil engineering design for highways/roads, access tracks, bridges, retaining structures, drainage systems, and associated works, ensuring buildability, value engineering, and compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards.

Your responsibilities will include developing concept designs for planning and third party consents/approvals preparation of sustainable drainage proposals, and liaising with statutory consultees such as Local Authorities, SEPA, and EA. You will coordinate with geotechnical, structural, environmental, and planning teams to deliver integrated multi-disciplinary solutions. Acting as the client’s key point of contact, you will manage design packages and ensure timely delivery to programme and budget while applying HSQE principles throughout the project lifecycle.

You will also provide technical leadership to junior engineers, oversee quality assurance processes, and contribute to project management frameworks. From design concept to construction stage, you will actively manage health, safety, and environmental hazards, communicate residual risks effectively, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements and guidance.

Your Impact in this Position

You will play a pivotal role in delivering infrastructure that supports economic growth and sustainable development. Success in this role is measured through technical excellence, proactive collaboration, and effective leadership. In the short term, you will focus on producing and reviewing high-quality design outputs and supporting project delivery. Over time, you will develop greater responsibility for client engagement, leadership of multi-disciplinary teams, and strategic contributions to our infrastructure offering.

Your Toolkit for Success at Tetra Tech

At Tetra Tech, we recruit using core capabilities—the essential skills, experience, and responsibilities required to perform the role effectively. But here’s the secret: there’s no such thing as the perfect candidate. If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we’d love to hear from you.

Technical Expertise in Civil Infrastructure Design

You will bring extensive experience in civil engineering design, ideally within highways/roads, renewable energy, or major infrastructure projects. This includes proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and drainage design software such as Causeway Flow or MicroDrainage. Knowledge of DMRB standards, sustainable drainage design, and hydraulic modelling will be highly advantageous. Familiarity with earthworks materials, testing requirements, and construction methodologies will support your ability to deliver practical and cost-effective solutions.

Leadership & Project Delivery

You will demonstrate experience leading design teams and managing multi-disciplinary projects. This includes planning workloads, monitoring progress, and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and client specifications. Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities effectively will be key to success.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

Excellent communication skills are essential. You will liaise confidently with clients, contractors, and statutory bodies, contributing to meetings, preparing technical reports, and presenting design solutions clearly. Your ability to build positive relationships and collaborate across teams will underpin successful project outcomes.

Innovation & Sustainability Leadership

You will champion innovative approaches to civil engineering design, integrating sustainability principles into every stage of project delivery. This includes promoting low-carbon solutions, optimising material reuse, and supporting whole-life carbon assessments.

Commercial Awareness & Client Focus

You will demonstrate a strong understanding of project economics, including cost control, risk management, and value engineering. Your ability to anticipate client needs, provide pragmatic advice, and contribute to work-winning activities will strengthen relationships and support business growth.

Mandatory Requirements

You will hold a BSc, BEng, MSc, or MEng degree in Civil or Structural Engineering and have extensive experience in civil engineering design and project delivery, ideally within highways/roads, renewable energy, or major infrastructure projects. A proven track record of technical competence in areas such as geometric design, drainage systems, and earthworks is essential, along with a strong understanding of HSQE principles and statutory requirements. You should be confident in leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex design packages from concept through to detailed stages. Due to the nature of the role, a full UK driving licence is required for site visits and travel.

Desirable

Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status with ICE or CIHT is highly desirable, although candidates actively working toward professional accreditation will also be considered. Experience in work-winning activities and client relationship management will be advantageous, as will familiarity with environmental impact assessments and permitting processes. Knowledge of sustainable drainage systems and hydraulic modelling, combined with proficiency in project management frameworks and quality assurance processes, will further strengthen your application.

Work Patterns and Locations

The role is based in either Edinburgh or Glasgow with an expectation of at least two days per week on site for collaboration and client engagement. Hybrid working is available, with flexibility provided in line with project and client requirements.

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment across all areas of our organisation. We recognise that a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives contributes to a more dynamic, innovative, and supportive workplace where every individual is empowered to share their professional knowledge and experience, and contribute meaningfully.

We are dedicated to building a culture of respect and equity, where people are valued regardless of their ethnicity, gender identity, age, belief system, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role.

Recruitment Agencies We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.