Senior Highways Engineer (Design and Construction)

Our client, operating within the highways and transportation sector, is currently seeking a Senior Engineer - Highways Design & Construction to join their team on a contract basis. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the pre-construction, construction, and delivery phases of highways, traffic, and transport infrastructure projects. The successful candidate will take ownership of projects during detailed design finalisation, construction package preparation, and delivery, ensuring schemes are technically compliant, cost-effective, and ready for construction before overseeing delivery through to completion and handover.

Key Responsibilities

Design Finalisation & Pre-Construction Delivery

Take ownership of projects following completion of concept and developed design stages. Lead the finalisation of engineering designs, ensuring all technical, safety, operational, and buildability considerations have been addressed prior to construction. Review and coordinate engineering drawings, technical specifications, schedules, and construction details prepared by consultants and in-house teams. Ensure designs meet relevant national standards, legislation, policies, and operational requirements. Coordinate utility investigations, surveys, traffic modelling, road safety audits, and other technical inputs required to progress projects to construction. Manage the preparation and issue of construction-ready information and contract documentation. Identify design risks, constraints, and opportunities and coordinate appropriate mitigation measures. Ensure all approvals, consents, and statutory processes are secured before works commence.

Construction & Project Delivery

Lead the delivery of highways, traffic, and transport infrastructure projects through construction to substantial completion and handover. Manage a varied programme of projects including: Highways transport infrastructure schemes. Traffic and project development schemes. Town centre improvement schemes. Section 106 and Section 278 developer highway works. Section 38 highway adoption schemes. Monitor project programmes, milestones, and construction activities to ensure timely delivery. Manage construction risks and implement mitigation measures throughout delivery. Act as the client's lead officer throughout the construction phase, coordinating all stakeholders and project partners. Ensure quality assurance processes are implemented and completed throughout project delivery. Monitor project outcomes against scope, programme, budget, and performance targets.

Contractor & Consultant Management

Lead the management of term contractors, developers, consultants, and specialist suppliers. Oversee construction activities and coordinate contractor operations to minimise disruption and maximise efficiency. Review contractor programmes, methodologies, and resource allocations. Chair project meetings, progress reviews, and construction coordination meetings. Manage contractor performance against key performance indicators, contractual requirements, and quality standards. Resolve complex technical, contractual, and operational issues arising during delivery. Support contract administration and compliance with procurement and contract management processes.

Health, Safety & CDM Responsibilities

Act as Client Representative under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations. Ensure client duties are effectively discharged throughout project delivery. Review and monitor Construction Phase Plans, Risk Assessments, and Method Statements. Ensure appropriate consideration of health, safety, and welfare requirements throughout design development and construction. Undertake site inspections and audits to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation and standards. Promote a proactive health and safety culture across all projects.

Traffic Management & Statutory Processes

Manage Traffic Management Orders and associated statutory procedures necessary for project delivery. Coordinate temporary traffic management requirements with contractors, emergency services, and operational teams. Ensure statutory notices, permits, and approvals are secured and coordinated within project programmes. Support the implementation of traffic regulation measures and highway network management requirements during construction.

Financial & Commercial Management

Manage project budgets from pre-construction through to completion. Prepare cost estimates, budget forecasts, and financial monitoring reports. Monitor project expenditure and implement corrective actions where required. Manage change control processes and assess cost implications of design and construction changes. Approve purchase orders and expenditure in accordance with financial procedures. Contribute to business cases, funding submissions, and programme reporting.

Stakeholder & Community Engagement

Lead engagement with Councillors, residents, businesses, developers, and key stakeholders throughout project delivery. Manage consultation and communication activities associated with construction programmes. Prepare technical reports, Cabinet reports, briefing papers, and approval documentation. Oversee responses to complex enquiries, complaints, and correspondence relating to projects and construction activities. Ensure stakeholders are kept informed of programme changes, project risks, and construction impacts.

Survey, Inspection & Technical Assurance

Commission and manage surveys, site investigations, and technical assessments required to support project delivery. Undertake site inspections throughout construction to monitor quality, progress, and compliance. Review survey data, technical reports, and contractor submissions. Provide technical advice and direction to contractors, consultants, and colleagues. Ensure all project records, inspections, and completion documentation are maintained and closed out appropriately.

Job Requirements

Essential Qualifications

Degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Highway Engineering, or a related discipline. Membership of a relevant professional institution (ICE, CIHT, or equivalent), or working towards professional accreditation. Evidence of continuing professional development.

Essential Experience

Significant experience delivering highways, traffic management, public realm, or transport infrastructure projects. Experience managing projects from detailed design finalisation through construction and completion. Experience reviewing technical designs, specifications, and construction documentation. Experience managing contractors, consultants, and construction activities on site. Strong knowledge of highway construction methods, standards, and best practice. Experience acting in a client-side project management role. Experience managing budgets, forecasting, and project reporting. Experience of stakeholder engagement and public consultation. Experience preparing reports for senior management and elected members.

Essential Knowledge

Highways Act and associated highway legislation. CDM Regulations and construction health and safety requirements. Traffic Management Act and associated statutory processes. Construction contract administration and contractor management. Local authority project delivery and governance processes.

Essential Skills

Strong project and programme management skills. Ability to manage multiple complex construction projects simultaneously. Excellent technical review and problem-solving abilities. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills. Commercial awareness and financial management capability. Ability to make sound engineering and project decisions under pressure. Excellent report writing and presentation skills.

Desirable

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng). Prince2, APM, or equivalent project management qualification. Experience working within a London local authority environment. Knowledge of NEC contracts. Experience managing Section 106, Section 278, and Section 38 development-related highway works.

Key Outcomes

Projects successfully transitioned from development into construction delivery. Construction packages fully coordinated, technically compliant, and ready for delivery. High-quality highways and transport infrastructure schemes delivered safely, on programme, and within budget. Effective management of contractors, consultants, and stakeholders throughout project delivery. Full compliance with CDM, health and safety, and statutory obligations. Successful project completion, handover, and close-out with minimal defects and strong stakeholder satisfaction