Development Control Engineer

Our client is seeking a Development Control Engineer for a contract role within a busy local authority highways environment in London. The position will assess the highway and transport impacts of development proposals, manage development-related highway agreements and help ensure new highway infrastructure is delivered, constructed and adopted in accordance with relevant legislation, policies and technical standards. The role is hybrid and offers a broad range of development management, highways engineering, stakeholder engagement, site supervision and project delivery responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities

Assess the highway and transport implications of planning applications and development proposals. Manage Section 38, Section 278 and Section 184 applications and agreements. Review, approve and technically audit highway designs, construction details and infrastructure proposals. Negotiate with developers, consultants, legal representatives and other stakeholders on highway matters. Prepare engineering assessments, cost estimates, technical reports and professional correspondence. Inspect and monitor highway works to ensure compliance with approved drawings, specifications and relevant standards. Support the completion and adoption of new highway infrastructure and the ongoing management of highway assets. Maintain accurate records of applications, agreements, financial contributions, bonds and deposits. Monitor budgets, invoices and fees while contributing to service performance and income targets. Represent the Highway Authority at meetings and support the Senior Development Control Engineer, deputising when required.

Job Requirements:

ONC or HNC qualification in Civil Engineering, Highway Engineering, Transportation Engineering or a related discipline; degree-level qualifications are desirable. Significant experience in highways development control, development management, transport planning, civil engineering consultancy or a highway authority environment. Strong experience managing Section 38 and Section 278 schemes, including technical approval and highway adoption processes. Good understanding of highways and transport legislation, policies, standards and specifications. Experience supervising contractors and monitoring highway construction works. Ability to provide professional technical advice to developers, consultants, planning officers, legal representatives and other stakeholders. Strong communication, negotiation, organisation and stakeholder management skills. Ability to manage multiple projects, applications and competing priorities effectively. Knowledge of construction health and safety requirements, data protection, customer care and corporate governance. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel, with the ability to maintain accurate financial and project records. Full UK driving licence or the ability to travel throughout the borough as required.

Desirable Experience:

Local authority highways development control experience. Highway design auditing, technical approval and asset adoption experience. Project management and budget monitoring experience. Experience preparing committee reports, technical reports and formal correspondence. Contributing to service improvement, performance management and income generation activities. Ability to build effective relationships across multidisciplinary teams and external organisations. The successful individual will be a proactive and commercially aware highways professional with strong technical engineering expertise and a thorough understanding of development management processes. They will be comfortable managing complex highway agreements and development proposals from inception through construction and adoption, while maintaining positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders. If you have the required highways development control experience and are interested in supporting the delivery of high-quality infrastructure within a local authority environment, apply now