Principal Civil Engineer

Job Description:

Principal Civil Engineer
Location: Leicester

Our client is expanding their presence in Leicester and is seeking a talented Principal Civil Engineer to join their growing team. This is a rare opportunity to step into a developing office, make a genuine impact, and play a key role in shaping the consultancy’s identity and capability across the North West.

The Role

As a senior member of the team, you will take technical and managerial responsibility across a diverse portfolio of multi-disciplinary projects. You’ll provide leadership, mentor emerging engineers, liaise directly with clients, and ensure high-quality technical delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and take ownership of technical outputs including drawings, reports, calculations, and design documentation.

• Lead and coordinate work produced by internal teams and external partners.

• Use and support others in the use of design and analysis software such as Civil 3D and CAD.

• Analyse engineering challenges, develop innovative solutions, and assess the feasibility of new approaches.

• Ensure designs meet relevant industry standards, best practice, and CDM 2015 requirements.

• Contribute to internal procedures to maintain quality, consistency, and value for clients.

• Identify, assess, and manage project risks within your area of responsibility.

• Support technical development across the team, acting as a mentor and role model.

• Attend site visits, proactively identify constraints, and liaise with contractors during the construction process.

• Lead project delivery, working closely with clients, design teams, and third parties.

• Confidently present and communicate engineering solutions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Deliver internal project management including resource planning and financial oversight.

• Identify commercial risks and opportunities, and contribute to fee proposals and cost estimates.

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships, supporting both repeat business and new opportunities.

• Uphold company values while contributing to the continued development of processes, policy, and team culture.

• Support business development activities and help drive the growth of the Manchester office.

• Strong consultancy experience, ideally within the North West market.

• Master’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (desirable).

• Chartered, or close to Chartered, with ICE or IStructE.

• Positive, proactive, and enthusiastic approach.

• Strong problem-solving mindset with a willingness to tackle complex technical challenges.

• Commercial awareness and a desire to contribute to the company’s ongoing expansion.

• Clear and confident communicator with clients, colleagues, and external stakeholders.

• Organised, responsible, and committed to delivering high-quality work on time.

• Passionate about engineering excellence and continuous improvement.

• Supportive team player with the ability to mentor others and contribute to a collaborative culture.

• Motivated to grow personally and professionally, and to support the development of the wider team.