Senior Civil Engineer โ Roads & Drainage Design
Location โ Manchester city centre (Hybrid)
Elb Recruit is partnering with a respected UK engineering consultancy with offices in Manchester and Leeds to appoint a Senior Civil Design Engineer (hands-on technical role) with strong experience in roads and drainage design. This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys being deeply involved in design delivery, not just oversight, while still taking a leading role within the team.
With a strong pipeline of residential, commercial and industrial infrastructure schemes, youโll join a forward-thinking consultancy that values practical engineering input, collaboration and technical excellence.
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐น๐ฒ
We are seeking an experienced design engineer with a strong background in UK civil infrastructure delivery. In this senior position, you will remain closely involved in the production and development of design solutions while also supporting technical leadership across projects.
You will lead the delivery of highways, drainage and SuDS design work, producing, checking and refining design outputs, and ensuring solutions are buildable, compliant and commercially sound from feasibility through to detailed design.
Alongside your design responsibilities, youโll support and guide junior engineers through active project involvement, sharing knowledge directly within live design environments.
๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
* Lead and actively contribute to the hands-on design of highways, drainage, utilities and SuDS systems
* Produce, check and review calculations, drawings and technical outputs
* Use design software including AutoCAD, Civil 3D, PDS, Causeway Flow / MicroDrainage
* Interpret topographical surveys, ground investigation data and existing infrastructure information
* Develop practical, buildable engineering solutions in line with client and regulatory requirements
* Act as a technical point of contact for clients, contractors and local authorities
* Support fee proposals, project delivery planning and technical resourcing
* Ensure compliance with UK standards including the Highways Act, Water Industry Act and relevant design codes
* Provide on-the-job technical mentoring to junior and intermediate engineers
* Contribute directly to improving design quality, efficiency and best practice within the team
๐๐ฏ๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐ผ๐
You are a technically strong, hands-on civil engineer who enjoys being close to the design process and delivering real engineering solutions. You combine practical design capability with leadership skills and a collaborative approach.
๐ฌ๐ผ๐ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐น๐ฑ ๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ฒ:
* Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline
* Strong, proven experience in UK highways and drainage design (hands-on delivery role)
* Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, PDS, MicroDrainage / Causeway Flow
* Experience producing drainage strategies, Flood Risk Assessments and detailed technical reports
* Background in residential, commercial and industrial development infrastructure
* Experience with S38 / S278 highways and adoptable drainage (S104 / S106 processes)
* Strong understanding of UK design standards and regulatory frameworks
* Ability to deliver high-quality design work independently and as part of a team
* Strong problem-solving skills with a practical, buildable design mindset
* Experience mentoring engineers through active project involvement
* Excellent communication and client-facing ability
* Full UK driving licence
๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐
* Hybrid working and flexible hours
* Strong CPD support and clear technical career progression
* Option to purchase additional holiday
* Cycle-to-work scheme and wellbeing initiatives
* Collaborative, design-focused culture with regular team events
๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฑ?
To discuss this opportunity in more detail or looking for an insight into the engineering market, contact ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐น๐ฏ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐, or apply today.