Principal Design Engineer - Highways - Derby

About the role

Balfour Beatty Power T&D are looking for a Principal Design Engineer - Highways to join thier team in Derby.

Role purpose

To work with project team, designers and subcontractors through the design phase to deliver the safe and suitable scope of works in line with the project objectives. Responsibility for the civil design delivery and design suitability for works across Power T&D construction projects. Provide advice as to the constructability and sequencing of civil design and temporary works designs for Power T&D business around Cabling, Overhead Lines and Substations. Engage in bid development, tendering and innovation projects alongside the Team Lead & Design Delivery Lead. This role will focus on highways and access design in support of substations, overhead line, and underground cable projects. The Principal Highways Engineer will play a pivotal role in driving design quality, mentoring engineers, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and client requirements.

What you'll be doing

Key Accountabilities

• To undertake the design and co-ordination of civil and temporary works designs required on projects, from the initial feasibility assessment to detail design, installation, and final removal, including where appropriate preparation of in-house temporary works design.
• Ensure the timely delivery and quality of designs including preparation of reports, calculations and drawings to a high technical level which are compliant with the required Client and national technical standards (BS/Eurocodes/ENA).
• Play a pivotal role in driving design quality, mentoring engineers, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive a Safety by Design approach at all times.
• Lead the highways and access design aspects of civil works for PT&D projects, including substations, overhead lines, and cable routes.
• Develop and review highway alignment, junction design, access road layouts, drainage, and associated civil infrastructure.
• Ensure all designs comply with DMRB, local authority standards, and relevant codes of practice.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentoring to engineers, designers, and graduates within the civil team.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver integrated project solutions.
• Manage stakeholder engagement, including liaison with local authorities, clients, and third-party asset owners.
• Undertake check function for design calculations performed by other engineering colleagues.
• To identify competent designers and contractors for installation of each type of civil / temporary works, and to coordinate and supervise their work.
• Maintain compliance of CDM regulations and all other legal and regulatory requirements associated with the nature of designs output by the team.
• Undertake technical quality assurance reviews and provide design approval as required / permitted by the Chief Engineer.
• Assist in the management of the tender process, understand and interpret scope of works, provide advice and opinion.
• Ensure that Procedures and Manuals provided for compliance with the appropriate Quality Assurance Standards are applied.
• Develop and implement policies, processes and procedures to support the continual improvement of the team.
• Support in the advancement of the engineering design delivery for the team with particular focus on upskilling and use of software. Contribute to the development and updating of the design aids and computer programmes and assist in the analysis of new design concepts.
• Support colleagues in managing the output and delivery of suitable design drawings.
• Assist in determining team objectives, strategy and requirements.

Who we're looking for

Skills Required

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with membership of ICE or CIHT (or working towards).
• Proven experience in highways design, ideally within the energy, utilities, or infrastructure sectors.
• Strong working knowledge of DMRB, Manual for Streets, and other relevant design standards.
• Demonstrable experience leading design teams and delivering highways projects from feasibility through to detailed design and construction support.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience using relevant design software (e.g., Civil 3D, MX, AutoCAD, MicroDrainage).
• Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more…

About us

Balfour Beatty’s Power Transmission & Distribution teams work with regional, national and international electricity network owners and operators to provide technical engineering solutions across the full spectrum of the electricity grid, including overhead lines, cabling, substations and distribution networks.

From scoping and feasibility, to design, construction and on-going maintenance, our in-house experts, flexible resources and industry-leading innovations support customers in the development of some of the UK’s most ambitious power transmission and distribution projects.

Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit

We are a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit:

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