Principal Civil Engineer – Highways, Infrastructure & Drainage
Principal Civil Engineer – Highways, Infrastructure & Drainage
Lead the Delivery of Complex Infrastructure Projects
Tetra Tech is seeking an experienced and ambitious Principal Civil Engineer to join our established Highways and Infrastructure team. Ideally based in Newark, we would also consider candidates located in Birmingham or London, with hybrid working arrangements available.
This is an excellent opportunity for a highly capable infrastructure engineer looking to take a leading role in the delivery of major development and infrastructure projects. You will combine technical excellence with project leadership, client engagement and team development, helping to deliver innovative and sustainable engineering solutions across a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial, industrial, renewable energy and strategic infrastructure schemes.
As a Principal Engineer, you will be a key technical leader within the team, taking ownership of project delivery, supporting business growth, mentoring colleagues and ensuring the highest standards of engineering quality across our projects.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As a Principal Engineer, you will lead the technical delivery of highways, infrastructure, earthworks and drainage projects across both public and private sector developments. Working closely with Project Directors, Associates and multidisciplinary design teams, you will oversee projects from feasibility and concept stages through detailed design, technical approvals and construction support.
You will be responsible for managing multiple commissions simultaneously, ensuring that technical quality, programme commitments, commercial performance and client expectations are consistently achieved. Alongside your project responsibilities, you will contribute to the development of engineers, graduates and apprentices, helping to strengthen the capability and expertise of the wider team.
This position offers the opportunity to influence significant infrastructure and development projects while playing an important role in the continued growth and success of Tetra Tech's Highways and Infrastructure business.
Your Impact in this Position
You will lead the delivery of infrastructure designs across a broad range of projects, including residential and mixed-use developments, commercial and industrial schemes, renewable energy projects and strategic transport infrastructure. You will be responsible for developing and reviewing highways, drainage and earthworks designs, ensuring that solutions are technically robust, commercially viable and aligned with client objectives.
A significant part of the role will involve managing and obtaining technical approvals, including Section 38, Section 104, Section 278 and Section 185 agreements. You will work closely with Local Highway Authorities, Water Companies, National Highways and other statutory bodies, developing productive relationships and ensuring successful progression through approval processes.
Working collaboratively with colleagues across Newark, Birmingham, London and the wider Tetra Tech infrastructure network, you will provide technical leadership throughout project delivery while maintaining excellent standards of quality, service and professionalism.
Technical Expertise
You will bring substantial experience in civil engineering design and project delivery, gained within highways, development infrastructure, renewable energy or major infrastructure sectors. You will possess the technical capability to develop, review and deliver complex design solutions for highways, drainage systems, earthworks and associated civil infrastructure, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and best practice guidance.
You will have a strong understanding of DMRB, sustainable drainage principles, hydraulic modelling and development infrastructure design. Your expertise will enable you to identify risks, develop practical engineering solutions and ensure projects are delivered efficiently and effectively.
Experience using AutoCAD, Civil 3D and drainage design software such as Causeway Flow is essential. A sound understanding of construction methodologies, material specifications and buildability considerations will be important in ensuring designs are practical, cost-effective and deliverable.
Technical Leadership
As a Principal Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across a portfolio of projects, guiding teams through design development and ensuring that all outputs meet the required standards for quality, compliance and presentation.
You will support technical reviews, provide direction on engineering challenges and promote best practice across the team. Your experience and judgement will help ensure that engineering decisions are technically sound, commercially appropriate and aligned with project objectives.
Project Delivery & Commercial Awareness
You will take ownership of projects from inception through to completion, managing programmes, resources and technical outputs to ensure successful delivery. You will have experience coordinating multiple projects and balancing competing priorities while maintaining a focus on quality and client satisfaction.
Commercial awareness is an important aspect of the role. You will contribute to project financial performance through effective management of scope, programme, risk and change control processes, supporting the achievement of both project and business objectives.
Client Engagement & Collaboration
Building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders will be fundamental to your success. You will act as a trusted adviser, providing clear technical guidance and maintaining open communication throughout project delivery.
You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, statutory authorities and external partners, ensuring effective collaboration and coordination at every stage of a project. Your ability to communicate technical information confidently and professionally will help build lasting client relationships and support future opportunities.
Mentorship & Team Development
You will play an important role in developing the next generation of engineers within the business. Through day-to-day mentorship, technical support and knowledge sharing, you will help engineers, graduates and apprentices build their confidence, capability and professional experience.
You will contribute to a collaborative and high-performing team culture, supporting colleagues in their development and helping to maintain the technical excellence for which Tetra Tech is recognised.
Problem Solving & Decision Making
The role requires a proactive and pragmatic approach to engineering challenges. You will be comfortable assessing technical constraints, identifying risks and developing practical, evidence-based solutions that balance engineering, commercial and programme requirements.
You will be expected to make informed decisions, provide clear recommendations and communicate solutions effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Skills, Experience & Qualifications
You should hold a degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering or a related discipline and possess substantial experience in highways, infrastructure and drainage design. Strong hands-on expertise with Civil 3D and drainage modelling software is essential, alongside a thorough understanding of DMRB, drainage standards and development infrastructure design.
You will have extensive experience working with Local Authorities, Water Companies, National Highways and other statutory bodies, together with a proven track record of obtaining technical approvals and delivering successful infrastructure projects. Strong client management skills, commercial awareness and experience mentoring junior team members are all important aspects of the role.
Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status with ICE, CIHT or an equivalent professional institution is highly desirable. We would also welcome applications from individuals actively working towards professional accreditation who can demonstrate the experience and leadership capability required for the position.
Why Join Tetra Tech?
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services, supporting clients across the full project lifecycle. We deliver innovative and sustainable solutions for public and private sector clients, working on projects that help shape communities, improve infrastructure and support long-term growth.
Our UK, Ireland and Netherlands business comprises more than 6,000 professionals who are Leading with Science® to solve complex challenges and deliver positive outcomes for our clients and communities.
We provide a collaborative environment that encourages technical excellence, innovation and professional development. Whether your ambition is to progress your leadership career, achieve professional accreditation or contribute to some of the UK's most significant infrastructure projects, Tetra Tech offers the opportunity and support to help you succeed.
In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements throughout the recruitment process and employment lifecycle.
#LI-RA1
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.
