Principal Engineer (Highways)

Let’s transform society together…

We’re Sweco.

We’re future planners, city shapers, urban innovators, digital transformers, net zero chasers, community connectors, social enterprisers and lifestyle improvers.

We’re difference makers.

We’re Europe’s leading design, engineering, environment and regulatory consultancy and we’re now recruiting for a Principal Engineer to join our Highways team in Manchester

These roles can be worked flexibly, with a minimum of 3 days in the office and the option of adjusted start and finish times.

Our highway and transportation engineering teams are recognised industry leaders and operate across several markets including strategic roads, urban city/town centre interventions and private developments. We have a strong portfolio of local and national clients, some of our recent projects across the North West and West Yorkshire include Northern Gateway Western Access, A62 Oldham Road, A662 Ashton New Road, Picadilly Bus Interchange, York Central, Bradford City Centre, Bradford Kings Road and Wakefield Road corridors, A641 in Brighouse and Connecting North East Calderdale.

We use the latest design software and techniques to produce innovative and efficient design solutions for our clients with safety and sustainability at the forefront of our minds.

What does the role involve?

Working with Sweco will give you the opportunity to work on landmark projects and schemes of all shapes and sizes. You will also learn from people who share a passion for working together with our customers to deliver technical excellence.

Working in the highways team, you will work within all project stages from inception through to construction and handover and have opportunity to support our highways, drainage and pavement disciplines and collaborate with a multi-disciplinary project team. Our highways team work on a wide range of national and regional projects and you will have the opportunity to broaden your expertise and work collaboratively.

As Principal Engineer, you will lead a highways team or act as design manager as part of a multi-disciplinary project for major highway improvements, placemaking, active travel and public realm schemes. Utilising your technical expertise, you will support other project teams through a role as Technical Authority, providing advice and guidance and technical approval of deliverables.

You will be responsible for:

• Leading and managing highways design teams ensuring quality, safety, and compliance with standards.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated and sustainable solutions.
• Ensuring deliverables are carried out within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians.
• Engaging with clients and stakeholders to understand their needs and provide expert advice.
• Preparation and review of technical reports, feasibility studies, and design documentation.
• Driving technical excellence.

To be successful in this role you’ll possess:

• A relevant professional qualification, for example a degree in engineering.
• CEng / IEng or equivalent qualifications or working towards.
• Enthusiasm to lead project teams effectively and support their technical development.
• Experience of undertaking geometry design in accordance with DMRB and / or LTN 1/20 Cycle Infrastructure Design, using Civils 3D software or similar software packages
• Good understanding and application of highway regulations and guidance such as Manual for Streets, DMRB, TSRGD, MCHW and Traffic Signs Manuals.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills (both written and verbal) and ability to communicate different design options to internal and external stakeholders.
• A desire to learn, progress and challenge yourself.

What’s in it for you?

This is an exciting time to join Sweco and if you want to be part of a company who is small in all the best ways but large enough to provide a diverse and exciting workload, this job is for you.

You will continue to learn from experienced people who share a passion for working together with our clients to deliver technical excellence.

If you possess the skills we are looking for and are eager to join a company that offers real opportunities for career advancement, we would love to hear from you.

Let’s work together to transform society at Sweco!

Employee Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks Policy)
• Competitive pension contribution
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance
• Company car or car allowance
• Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme
• Payment of two relevant professional subscriptions
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year)
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing, mental health, financial and work advice)
• Employee discounts via Sweco Benefit Select (Faircare)
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle Scheme
• We plant a tree for all new starters!

About Us

Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.

Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.

We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality. Our ambition is to be our clients’ most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.

Sweco is committed to enabling all its colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible start and finish times, part time and hybrid working options so that you can flex your hours around your day to day needs.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK

We are an accredited Real Living Wage Employer which reflects our commitment to fair pay and support for all colleagues.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If I have a disability, can I get help with the application process?

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact for assistance.

In order to address your request the following information is needed:

• Name
• The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)
• the position title
• Requisition/vacancy number

Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.

Sweco UK&I have an internal resourcing team who are responsible for all recruiting activity. We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted agencies who we work with on those “hard to fill” roles.

We have defined processes for recruitment applications and it is company policy not to accept speculative CVs. Any speculative CVs received into the business (whether to a manager or member of the resourcing team) will become the property of Sweco and the agency will not be eligible for an introductory fee.

Our Preferred Supplier List was reviewed in November 2025 and we are not looking to add any additional agencies. We’ll be reviewing the PSL again at the end of 2026 and non-compliance with the above statements could be detrimental to you having the opportunity to be included.

Our Talent Community for experienced professionals is a great way to keep up to date with our latest news, insights, future vacancies, as well as gaining access to exclusive events hosted by our experts.

To learn more Join Our Talent Community - Sweco United Kingdom

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