Principal Engineer (Infrastructure)

Principal Design Engineer – Infrastructure

Location: York
Sector: Rail Infrastructure ¦ Civils & Structures

Lead the Growth of Our Infrastructure Design Capability

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Principal Design Engineer (Infrastructure) to play a key leadership role in the continued growth of our Civil & Structural Design business.

As part of our ongoing investment in our in-house engineering capability, we are establishing a new Permanent Works Infrastructure Design presence in York. This strategic role will lead and develop a growing team focused on delivering infrastructure design solutions across rail projects nationwide.

Supporting a diverse portfolio of infrastructure programmes, the successful candidate will provide technical leadership across schemes including electrification and power projects, Project Reach programmes, lineside civils works, station and property-related infrastructure, drainage, access improvements and associated railway assets.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineering leader to help shape a growing design capability, influence strategic direction, and support major rail infrastructure projects across the UK.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary, negotiable depending on experience
• Company car or car allowance
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service up to 28 days
• 3 additional charity days per year
• A day off when your child starts school
• A day off for house relocation
• Company contributory pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Medicash Health Cash Plan and employee rewards
• Ongoing learning and professional development opportunities
• Clear routes for career progression
• A supportive, inclusive and collaborative working environment
• Employee forums and engagement channels to ensure your voice is heard

About the Business Unit

With a strong pipeline of secured framework agreements and infrastructure projects, our in-house Design & Engineering team continues to expand.

We deliver multidisciplinary engineering solutions across enhancement projects, renewals, asset management frameworks and major infrastructure programmes throughout the rail sector. Our engineers work closely with clients and delivery teams to provide practical, innovative and buildable solutions that improve safety, performance and sustainability across the railway.

Typical projects include:

• Electrification and Power (E&P) enabling and support works
• Project Reach and route enhancement schemes
• Lineside civils and associated railway infrastructure
• Access and maintenance facilities
• Drainage and earthworks improvements
• Station and property infrastructure projects
• Structures, retaining walls and civil asset renewal works
• Multi-disciplinary rail infrastructure programmes

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Design, the Principal Design Engineer will be responsible for the management of technical aspects of engineering projects in addition to programme delivery, resource allocation, budgetary control, customer satisfaction, team development and recruitment.

You will lead the development of our York-based Infrastructure Design capability, providing technical leadership across a portfolio of permanent works infrastructure schemes while ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in accordance with client requirements.

Working closely with clients, stakeholders and multidisciplinary project teams, you will take ownership of engineering solutions from feasibility through to detailed design, supporting both project delivery and business growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the new Permanent Works Infrastructure Design presence in York.
• Provide definitive technical guidance and leadership on infrastructure engineering solutions, taking ownership of key technical decisions.
• Develop innovative and practical engineering solutions from feasibility through detailed design.
• Act as CRE (Design) on Network Rail projects and multidisciplinary infrastructure schemes.
• Lead infrastructure projects including electrification support schemes, Project Reach programmes, lineside civils works and associated rail infrastructure.
• Review and approve design deliverables, Designer's Risk Assessments and Decision Logs.
• Ensure compliance with CDM Regulations, Network Rail standards, SHEQ requirements and Safe by Design principles.
• Manage project programmes, resources, budgets and commercial performance.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders and delivery partners.
• Lead client and stakeholder meetings as the principal engineering representative.
• Mentor, coach and develop engineers, supporting succession planning and professional development.
• Drive innovation, continuous improvement and the adoption of efficient design processes and tools.
• Support business development activities and identify opportunities for growth across existing and emerging frameworks.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking an experienced engineering leader with a strong background in rail infrastructure design and the ability to successfully lead teams, projects and client relationships.

Essential Requirements

• Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with a recognised Engineering Institution.
• Valid Sentinel Personal Track Safety (PTS) certification.
• Proven experience operating at Lead Engineer, Principal Engineer or Principal Design Engineer level.
• Significant experience delivering rail infrastructure and civil engineering projects.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure design, including lineside civils, station and property assets, access improvements, drainage and railway infrastructure.
• Experience fulfilling CRE (Design) responsibilities within a rail environment is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of CDM Regulations, Network Rail standards and engineering assurance processes.
• Proven leadership, resource management and team development experience.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and commercial awareness skills.
• Experience working on multidisciplinary rail projects involving disciplines such as E&P, Signalling, Telecoms, P-Way and OLE is advantageous.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a Principal Design Engineer role. It is an opportunity to establish and lead a new Infrastructure Design capability in York, helping to shape its future growth while delivering critical rail infrastructure projects across the UK.

You'll join an established and growing engineering team with a strong order book, long-term client relationships and a commitment to technical excellence, innovation and professional development.

If you're an ambitious engineering leader who wants to influence the future of rail infrastructure design while building and developing a high-performing team, we'd love to hear from you