Principal Civil Engineer

Principal Civil Engineer – Roads & Drainage Design

Location – Newcastle, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid)

Elb Recruit is partnering with a respected UK engineering consultancy to appoint a
Principal Civil Engineer
with extensive experience in roads and drainage design. Based in the consultancy's dynamic Newcastle office, this is an excellent opportunity to take on a senior technical and leadership role delivering high-quality infrastructure and development projects across the region.

With a strong pipeline of commercial, residential and major infrastructure schemes, you'll join a forward-thinking team that prioritises collaboration, innovation and professional development.

The Role

We're seeking an accomplished engineer with significant experience in civil design, ideally gained in a consultancy environment. In this senior position, you'll take responsibility for technical delivery across projects, oversee and coordinate design packages, and ensure that solutions are practical, robust and aligned with client requirements from early feasibility through to detailed design.

You'll play a key role in guiding the wider team—mentoring engineers, reviewing outputs and helping strengthen technical capability across the discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the delivery of designs for highways, drainage, utilities and SuDS.
• Manage and review calculations, drawings and technical documentation.
• Use design tools such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, PDS, Flow or MicroDrainage.
• Interpret topographical data, surveys and ground investigation information.
• Act as a senior point of contact for clients, contractors and local authorities.
• Support fee proposals, project planning, budgeting and resource management.
• Ensure compliance with key UK legislation including the Highways Act, Water Industry Act, and associated design standards.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior and mid-level engineers.

About You

You'll be a highly capable civil engineer with a solid background in UK highways and drainage design, ready to take on a leading role within a growing team. We're looking for someone who brings both technical expertise and strong people skills.

You should have:

• A
  degree in Civil Engineering
  or a related discipline.
• Proven ability in the
  design of highways, drainage systems and SuDS
  , using tools such as
  AutoCAD, Civil 3D, PDS, MicroDrainage or Causeway Flow
  .
• Experience preparing
  Flood Risk Assessments
  ,
  drainage strategies
  and detailed
  technical reports
  .
• Background in developing highway designs to national and local standards, including the progression of
  S38/S278 agreements
  .
• Experience delivering adoptable drainage schemes and working with
  S106 processes
  .
• Strong understanding of
  UK design codes, standards and regulatory requirements
  .
• Confidence working independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to represent the consultancy in
  client-facing meetings
  .
• The ability to analyse complex problems, propose practical solutions and make sound, commercially aware decisions.
• Experience guiding and
  mentoring junior engineers
  .
• Keen attention to detail and a drive for continuous learning and improvement.
• A
  full, valid UK driving licence
  .

The Benefits

You'll join a consultancy that genuinely values its people, offering:

• Hybrid working and flexible hours.
• Strong CPD support and clear career development pathways.
• Option to purchase additional holidays.
• Cycle-to-work scheme and wellbeing initiatives.
• A people-first, collaborative culture with regular team and community events.

Interested?

To discuss this opportunity in more detail, contact
Pete Gillick at Elb Recruit
, or apply today.