Lead Highways & Public Realm Design Engineer
London (Hybrid – 2 days WFH)
My client is a global engineering and professional services consultancy working across water, energy, and urbanisation.
They are seeking a Lead Engineer to join their Place & Movement team in London. The team delivers a wide range of highways, transport, and public realm projects across both public and private sector clients, supporting schemes from concept through to detailed design and construction, as well as transport-related input across wider multidisciplinary projects.
This is a senior role for someone with 12+ years’ experience, strong technical capability in public realm and transport design, and the ability to lead projects proactively from delivery through to completion. Strong communication skills and confidence working with clients, architects, and planners are essential.
The role offers a strong platform for progression, with responsibility for leading projects, supporting business growth, and mentoring junior team members within a collaborative and well-supported environment.
Key Responsibilities
Lead delivery of urban highways, transport infrastructure, and public realm projects
Manage project teams and oversee technical output across multiple disciplines
Resolve complex engineering challenges across multi-disciplinary schemes
Produce and oversee high-quality designs from concept through to detailed design in line with relevant standards and client requirements
Coordinate closely with other design disciplines to ensure integrated and consistent design solutions
Manage client relationships and provide technical advice to both internal teams and external stakeholders
Support and mentor junior engineers and contribute to team development
Assist in preparing bids and supporting business development activities
Attend site visits for surveys, stakeholder coordination, and construction-stage support
Ensure delivery within agreed budgets, timescales, and quality standards
Stay up to date with evolving design standards, guidance, and best practice
Ensure compliance with internal quality assurance processes
Requirements
Qualifications
Degree in Civil Engineering (preferred) or a closely related discipline
Postgraduate qualification or MBA is advantageous but not essential
Essential Experience & Skills
Strong technical background in several of the following areas:
Public realm and streetscape design
Cycle infrastructure design
Bus priority schemes
Junction and highway layout design
Drainage coordination within highway schemes
Section 278 works and highway agreements
Road safety schemes
Parking layout design and management
Utility coordination and diversion works
Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) design
Additional requirements:
Strong understanding of UK highway design standards, including Transport for London guidance where applicable
Experience producing Bills of Quantities
Solid knowledge of highway construction methods, materials, and specifications
Proficiency in AutoCAD and related tools (e.g., Civil 3D, signage and road marking design software)
Strong Microsoft Office skills
Proven experience in winning or contributing to successful bids
Strong client-facing and relationship management skills
Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly to non-technical audiences
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Leadership capability with experience mentoring junior staff
Positive, proactive, and collaborative mindset
Desirable
Postgraduate qualification in transport, highways, or a related field
Site supervision or construction-phase experience
Experience using OpenRoads or similar design platforms