Principal/Senior Civil Engineer

Vertical Recruitment is working with an established multidisciplinary consultancy looking to appoint a Senior or Principal Civil Engineer to strengthen its engineering team.

The business provides civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental and planning services, working across a diverse portfolio of development and infrastructure projects throughout the UK.

This opportunity would suit an experienced Civil Engineer who enjoys the technical side of engineering and wants to retain direct involvement in design and project delivery, while taking on greater responsibility for managing projects, coordinating teams and working directly with clients.

The consultancy has a strong pipeline of work across industrial and commercial development, waste and resource recovery, residential schemes and wider infrastructure projects.

The Opportunity

This is a technically focused position offering a combination of detailed design, project coordination and client-facing responsibility.

You''ll take ownership of civil engineering design packages, working closely with structural and geotechnical engineers, technicians and other specialists to deliver practical, coordinated solutions.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading civil engineering design packages across drainage, SuDS, highways, pavements, earthworks and external works.

• Producing and reviewing technical designs, calculations, drawings and specifications using Civil 3D and associated design software.

• Managing projects and design packages from feasibility through detailed design, approvals and construction.

• Working closely with structural and geotechnical teams to resolve design interfaces and technical challenges.

• Coordinating engineers and technicians, reviewing work and supporting the development of junior team members.

• Liaising with clients, contractors and approving authorities throughout project delivery.

• Supporting project planning, fee proposals, programmes and commercial management.

The role offers genuine technical ownership, rather than moving entirely into project management or team supervision.

Project Exposure

The consultancy delivers work across industrial and logistics developments, waste and resource-recovery facilities, residential and commercial schemes, water and wastewater infrastructure, transportation and wider public-sector projects.

Projects involve site infrastructure, access roads, drainage, SuDS, utilities, earthworks, external works and multidisciplinary engineering design.

Experience across every sector isn''t essential. The priority is a strong technical background in civil engineering design, particularly drainage, levels, earthworks and development infrastructure.

About You

We''re interested in speaking with Civil Engineers who have developed strong technical design capabilities and are comfortable taking responsibility for projects or substantial design packages.

Ideally, you''ll have:

• A degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering.

• Approximately 8+ years'' relevant experience within civil engineering consultancy, infrastructure or contractor-led design.

• Strong technical experience across drainage, SuDS, pavements, earthworks, levels and external works.

• Confident working knowledge of Civil 3D, AutoCAD and Causeway Flow, or comparable design software.

• Experience producing technical calculations, drawings, specifications and coordinated design information.

• An understanding of highways and drainage approval processes, including Section 38, 104 and 278 agreements.

• Experience managing design packages, coordinating technicians and working with other engineering disciplines.

• Confidence communicating with clients, contractors and external stakeholders.

• Chartered or near-chartered status with ICE would be advantageous, although experienced non-chartered candidates will also be considered.

Experience in industrial, waste, energy or complex multidisciplinary developments would be particularly relevant.

What''s on Offer?

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience.

• Flexible working arrangements, with Altrincham the preferred office location.

• 25 days'' annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days with service.

• Private medical care, company pension and continued professional development.

• A varied portfolio of civil engineering and multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.

• Greater responsibility for technical delivery, project management and client relationships.

• Clear progression towards Principal or Associate-level responsibilities.

• Potential opportunity for share ownership within an employee-owned business.

This is an opportunity for a technically capable Civil Engineer looking for greater ownership of projects, exposure to varied engineering challenges and the opportunity to progress within an established multidisciplinary consultancy.