Principal Highways Engineer
| Company: | Marston Holdings |
|---|---|
| Salary: | Not specified |
| Hours: | Full-time |
| Location: | BN1 4AT |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Posting date: | 19 Oct 2026 |
| Closing date: | 16 Nov 2026 |
Summary
Principal Highways Engineer
Brighton
Salary Up to £60,000 (DOE)
Project Centre is a leading design, engineering, and landscape architecture consultancy whose highly talented people are passionate about creating places that are attractive, innovative, sustainable, and safe.
Our approach to integrated design produces award winning results that have won international recognition. Led by a forward-thinking management team, we work together in multi-disciplinary teams that provide services that are well thought out and sustainable.
About the role
We’re looking for a Principal Highways Engineer to join PCL and take a leading role across a varied portfolio of highways, civil engineering and public realm projects — from smaller schemes of around £25k through to major projects exceeding £10m.
This is a role for someone who combines technical excellence with construction knowledge, great team ethic and strong leadership. You’ll have the opportunity to lead projects from inception through to completion, develop detailed designs, oversee technical delivery, build client relationships and help shape the future of our team.
This is a hybrid working role, with three days per week expected in the office.
What you’ll be doing
Developing detailed design and build packages for clients to enable construction.
Providing technical approvals, design reviews and quality assurance across project deliverables.
Taking responsibility for technical service delivery, including budget, programme and quality performance.
Providing hands-on technical input and solving complex engineering challenges.
Leading and coordinating multiple projects, managing competing priorities and resources from inception through to construction.
Providing technical direction and support to engineers, technicians and project teams.
Liaising confidently with clients and stakeholders, communicating technical solutions to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Preparing fee estimates, proposals, activity schedules, work programmes and resource plans.
Supporting competitive tenders through the preparation of high-quality technical submissions.
Identifying opportunities to grow our services and actively contributing to business development.
Leading and developing a high-performing Civil 3D team, ensuring the right skills and resources are available to deliver our project portfolio.
Managing and developing of the Highways team.
Developing strategies for Civil 3D training, user requirements, technical specifications and design standards.
Ensuring compliance with the Quality Management System and relevant health and safety requirements, including CDM duties.
Technical leadership with real influence.
This is a senior position where your experience will have an impact well beyond individual projects.
What you’ll bring
10+ years’ experience in consultancy or equivalent working in highways, construction, detailed design etc.
A Civil Engineering degree or equivalent professional qualification.
Chartered membership of ICE or CIHT, or demonstrable progress towards Chartered status.
Extensive experience applying DMRB design standards.
Significant experience delivering highways detailed design projects.
Vast experience working with AutoCAD and Civil 3D, to complete tasks and oversee junior staff completion of tasks.
Experience providing technical oversight and approval of project deliverables.
Experience managing multiple projects from both a technical and financial perspective.
Experience preparing fee estimates, proposals and tender submissions.
Strong financial, commercial and contractual understanding.
NEC4 Experience and knowledge of discharging duties.
An understanding of CDM duties and responsibilities.
What’s In It for You?
Competitive salary
Career development opportunities, including LinkedIn Learning
25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
Up to 5 days' holiday purchase scheme
Healthcare cash plan
Discounts on retail, travel and social activities
Cycle-to-work and Green Car scheme
Enhanced maternity and paternity package, subject to eligibility
If this sounds like the job for you, please apply….
New starters will be subject to clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service and a County Court Judgment check. In addition, the post holder is expected to keep the Company updated if their personal circumstances change.
We are an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we're committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.
INDV
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