Principal Consultant / Associate - Highways and Infrastructure - Leicester

At Tetra Tech, you'll work alongside high-performing teams delivering complex highways and infrastructure projects that support sustainable development and improve quality of life. You'll collaborate with specialists across infrastructure, environment, water, energy and international development to deliver high-quality outcomes for public and private sector clients.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As a Principal Consultant or Associate within our Highways and Infrastructure team in Leicester, you will lead the management and delivery of residential, development-related and strategic infrastructure projects.

This is primarily a project, client and commercial management role, supported by a strong technical background in civil engineering and infrastructure design. You will take responsibility for projects from initial scope and fee preparation through design, technical approvals and delivery. Depending on your experience, the appointment will be made at Principal Consultant or Associate level, with the breadth of leadership responsibility aligned accordingly.

You will manage project scope, programme, budget, resources, risk, quality and commercial performance while providing technical direction, design review and informed challenge. Our portfolio includes projects ranging from residential developments to complex, multi-million-pound highways and infrastructure schemes.

Your Impact in this Position
You will play a key role in delivering safe, compliant, commercially successful and high-quality highways and infrastructure projects. As a senior point of contact, you will build strong relationships with clients, local authorities, statutory bodies and technical specialists, helping to resolve challenges and maintain project momentum.

Your leadership will support effective project governance, quality assurance and health and safety in design. You will also contribute to the development of engineers and technicians, strengthen team capability and help identify opportunities for repeat business and future project growth.

Core Capabilities
Project and Commercial Leadership
Ability to manage projects from inception through to completion, including scope, programme, budget, resources, risk, quality, change control and financial performance.
Highways and Infrastructure Delivery
Strong experience in the design and delivery of residential and development-related infrastructure, including Section 278, Section 38, external works, private drainage, Section 104 and Section 185 works.
Technical Review and Design Assurance
Sound civil engineering and infrastructure design knowledge, with the ability to review technical outputs, challenge assumptions, manage technical risk and ensure solutions are practical, buildable and compliant.
Client and Stakeholder Engagement
Experience acting as a project lead or principal client contact, with the ability to communicate clearly and constructively with clients, local authorities, statutory bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
Leadership and Team Development
Ability to coordinate engineers, technicians and external contributors, while mentoring colleagues, encouraging accountability and supporting professional development.
Skills, Qualifications & Experience
A relevant degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline is required, together with professional membership of, or eligibility for membership of, ICE and/or CIHT.

You will have substantial experience managing and delivering highways, residential or development infrastructure projects, with a strong track record across project scope, programme, resources, budget, risk, quality and client expectations. Strong commercial awareness is essential, including experience in fee preparation, resource forecasting, budget management, change control and financial reporting.

You will have detailed knowledge of Section 278 and Section 38 highway works, external works, private drainage and Section 104 works, together with a good working knowledge of DMRB, Sewerage Sector Guidance, Building Regulations, local authority standards and other relevant industry guidance.

Experience with local authorities, statutory bodies and technical approval processes is required. An understanding of AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Site 3D or PDS, and MicroDrainage is desirable, sufficient to oversee and review work produced using these applications.

You will also demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, a proactive and organised approach, the ability to work autonomously and a commitment to health, safety, quality and good design practice. A full UK driving licence, or the ability to travel to client, project and site locations as required, is essential.
Working Environment
This role is based in Leicester and supports hybrid working. Projects are delivered for clients across the UK, so occasional travel to client offices, project sites, local authorities and other locations may be required. Flexibility in working arrangements and hours may be necessary to support project delivery and client requirements.

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science to solve our clients' most complex problems.

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