Senior / Principal Civil Engineer – Highways, Drainage & Development Infrastructure
Location: Exeter (Hybrid Working Available)
Salary: £46,000 – £65,000 + Benefits
Type: Full Time | Permanent
Reference: BBBH4854_1775034211
Posted: 01/04/2026
Are you an experienced Civil Engineer looking to step into a more senior role or already operating at Principal level and looking for a fresh challenge? We are an established and highly regarded development infrastructure consultancy seeking a Senior / Principal Civil Engineer for our growing Exeter office. This is a fantastic opportunity for an engineer with strong experience in highways, drainage and development infrastructure design to join a collaborative and forward‑thinking team working on a wide range of complex, high‑profile projects across the UK.
This role would suit someone who enjoys taking ownership of technical delivery, mentoring junior staff, and playing a key part in the successful delivery of residential, commercial and public sector development schemes.
The Opportunity
You’ll join a people‑focused consultancy with a strong reputation for delivering innovative, sustainable infrastructure solutions across a diverse range of development projects. Working as part of a supportive and technically strong team, you’ll be involved in the design and coordination of highways, drainage, earthworks and development infrastructure schemes, with the opportunity to take a lead role in project delivery and client‑facing responsibilities depending on your level of experience.
Projects Are Varied And Often Complex, Spanning
* Residential developments and masterplans
* Commercial and mixed‑use schemes
* Retail and logistics developments
* Education facilities
* Public realm and regeneration projects
* Utility and infrastructure upgrades
* Major public sector buildings and associated external works
Responsibilities
* Lead the design and delivery of highways and drainage infrastructure for development schemes.
* Produce and review highway designs (S38 / S278) at both preliminary and detailed design stages.
* Deliver drainage designs (S104 / S98) including:
o Surface water drainage
o Foul drainage
o SuDS design
o Flow control and attenuation / balancing solutions
o Foul pumping stations
* Undertake earthworks and site level design for development projects.
* Coordinate with planners, architects, external consultants, and approving authorities.
* Support the technical delivery of projects from early feasibility through to detailed design and approvals.
* Manage design workflows and ensure quality and efficiency across project outputs.
* Mentor and support junior engineers and technicians.
* Take on increased responsibility in project leadership, client liaison and team development at Principal level.
Qualifications
* Strong experience in civil infrastructure design, particularly within highways and/or drainage.
* Background working on UK development infrastructure projects.
* Good working knowledge of relevant design standards, approvals and technical requirements.
* Proficiency in software such as Civil 3D, MicroDrainage / InfoDrainage, Causeway Flow, PDS.
* Experience producing and coordinating designs for residential, commercial or mixed‑use developments.
* BEng / MEng in Civil Engineering (or equivalent relevant experience).
* Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
Benefits
* Salary of £46,000 – £65,000 depending on experience.
* Hybrid working and flexibility.
* Competitive benefits package.
* Regular salary reviews.
* Generous annual leave.
* Clear career progression pathway.
* Structured Chartership support.
* A friendly, collaborative and modern working environment.
* The opportunity to work on high‑profile, technically interesting development projects.
Why Apply?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a consultancy that genuinely invests in its people and offers the chance to work on complex and rewarding infrastructure schemes in a supportive environment. Whether you’re an established Senior Engineer ready to step up, or already operating at Principal level and looking for a new platform to grow your career, this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact within a respected and expanding team.
Contact: Will Herman
07581619823
Aldwych Consulting values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.
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