Principal Civil Engineer

Principal Civil Engineer - Highways Infrastructure Help Shape and Grow Our Highways Infrastructure Capability in Birmingham If you are passionate about delivering high-quality highways, drainage and civil infrastructure design and want the opportunity to play a leading role in establishing and growing a regional team, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact within a thriving multidisciplinary business. As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of development-led and strategic infrastructure projects while helping to shape the future of our Birmingham Highways Infrastructure team. Purpose Scope of the Role This is a senior technical role within our growing Highways Infrastructure team, with responsibility for leading the delivery of highways, drainage and associated civil infrastructure design across a range of residential, commercial, industrial and strategic development projects. You will develop technically robust, practical and buildable engineering solutions that align with client requirements, approval authority expectations and project objectives. Working closely with Engineers, Technicians, Project Managers, Design Leads and multidisciplinary teams across the business, you will provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle, from feasibility and concept design through to detailed design, technical approvals and construction-stage support. You will act as a key technical point of reference, helping to maintain the quality, consistency and efficiency of engineering outputs while promoting best practice in highways and drainage design. This role also presents a unique opportunity to help establish and grow Tetra Tech's Highways Infrastructure capability in Birmingham. As one of the first senior members of the local team, you will work closely with the Technical Director to establish, develop and grow the Birmingham Highways Infrastructure team, helping to shape its future direction and strengthen relationships with clients across the Midlands. Whilst Birmingham will be your primary base, you will remain closely connected to colleagues across the wider business and collaborate regularly with regional teams on projects ranging from £1 million to more than £100 million in value. Your Impact in This Position In the early stages, you will establish yourself as a trusted technical lead within the highways and civils team, building a detailed understanding of project requirements, technical standards, approval processes and delivery expectations. You will take ownership of significant engineering workstreams and support the successful delivery of high-quality highways, drainage and infrastructure design outputs across Birmingham and the wider business. Over time, you will become a recognised technical point of reference, leading the development and coordination of technically robust design solutions while supporting technical reviews, design assurance and problem-solving activities across multiple projects. You will help drive consistency, quality and efficiency in the way engineering outputs are developed and delivered, ensuring that drawings, models, calculations, reports and approval submissions meet both client and regulatory expectations. Longer term, this role offers the opportunity to influence the future direction of our Birmingham Highways Infrastructure capability, helping to develop technical standards, strengthen client relationships and support the growth of a sustainable local team through recruitment, mentoring and technical leadership. The role also provides a platform for progression into senior technical, project leadership or business leadership pathways. Highways, Drainage Civil Infrastructure Design You will be an experienced civil engineer with strong technical expertise in the design of highways, drainage and associated civil infrastructure. You will develop practical, efficient and buildable engineering solutions across a wide variety of projects, including estate roads, access strategies, junction improvements, earthworks, drainage systems and broader infrastructure works. Strong knowledge of recognised design standards, including DMRB and local authority guidance, will enable you to provide robust engineering solutions that balance technical excellence, commercial considerations and project objectives. Design Coordination Technical Assurance You will be comfortable coordinating technical design activities throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring consistency and alignment between drawings, models, calculations, reports, specifications and approval submissions. You will undertake design reviews, validate technical assumptions and provide oversight to ensure outputs comply with relevant legislation, industry standards, client requirements and approval authority expectations. Experience in identifying and managing technical risks, design interfaces and design changes will be important, alongside a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and technical assurance. Technical Approvals, Client Engagement Project Delivery You will bring experience of managing or supporting technical approval processes, including S104, S278 and S38 submissions with Water Authorities, Local Highway Authorities and National Highways. You will be confident engaging with clients, developers, contractors, design partners and regulatory bodies, presenting technical information clearly and helping project teams navigate approval processes efficiently. Alongside technical delivery, you will contribute to successful project outcomes by supporting programme management, commercial performance and the development of strong client relationships. You will also help identify opportunities for repeat and new business, supporting the continued growth of the Highways Infrastructure portfolio within the Midlands region. Technical Leadership Team Development You will act as a senior technical leader within the Highways Infrastructure team, providing guidance, mentoring and technical oversight to Engineers and Technicians. You will help promote best practice in highways and drainage engineering, support professional development and contribute to the continuous improvement of technical standards across the business. This role will suit someone who enjoys sharing knowledge, developing others and helping build a strong, collaborative and technically capable engineering team. You will also contribute to recruitment activity, knowledge sharing initiatives and the long-term development of the growing Birmingham team. Digital Engineering, Commercial Awareness Continuous Improvement You will be comfortable using industry-standard digital engineering and design tools, including AutoCAD, Civil 3D, PDS and drainage modelling software such as Flow. A strong appreciation of how engineering decisions affect programme, cost, risk and value will enable you to contribute positively to project delivery and commercial performance. You will support the efficient use of digital engineering processes while helping to improve design delivery, quality assurance and project management practices across the team. Experience in programme management, resource planning, change management, utilisation and fee performance will further support your success in the role. Qualifications Experience You will hold a degree in Civil Engineering or an equivalent Level 6 qualification and will ideally be Chartered with ICE or another relevant professional institution, or able to demonstrate clear progress towards professional accreditation. You should bring substantial experience in the delivery of highways, drainage and associated civil infrastructure projects, together with strong knowledge of development-led infrastructure design, technical approval processes and relevant industry standards. Experience in the production, review and coordination of technical drawings, models, reports, calculations and specifications is essential, alongside practical experience of Civil 3D, Flow or similar industry-standard software. You should be comfortable leading design activities, coordinating technical outputs and providing technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle. Experience mentoring and developing Engineers and Technicians will be important, together with the ability to provide technical leadership and support continuous improvement across engineering and digital delivery practices. Additional experience in project management, BIM coordination, health and safety, flood risk and drainage, sustainable transport, construction-stage support, technical approvals, fee proposals, business development and client presentations would be advantageous. Experience working with Water Authorities, Local Highway Authorities, National Highways, developers and contractors would further strengthen your application. Support is available for individuals pursuing professional development, chartership and further technical qualifications. Working Environment This role is based in Birmingham and forms part of our growing local Highways Infrastructure team. We offer a flexible hybrid working model, combining office collaboration, home working and attendance at client meetings and project sites. Most colleagues typically attend the office two to three days per week, balancing flexibility with the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, technical development and team growth. As a key member of the Birmingham team, you will play an active role in shaping office culture, supporting team development and strengthening local client relationships. Occasional travel to client locations, project sites and other Tetra Tech offices may also be required. Flexible and part-time working options may be considered where compatible with business and project requirements. #LI-RA1 #LI-HYBRID