Tetra Tech Europe
Principal Civil Engineer
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Principal Civil Engineer
Engineer the Future of Infrastructure
We are proud to have secured several project wins as we provide sustainable solutions to our clients’ aspirations. With growing project deliverables and a strong growth strategy for Scotland, we currently have an opportunity for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our team in Edinburgh or Glasgow.
This is your chance to lead and shape projects that improve connectivity, strengthen critical infrastructure, and support sustainable development across the UK. If you are passionate about civil engineering design, sustainability, and delivering innovative solutions, this role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact while advancing your career within a collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
Purpose & Scope of the Role
As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will take responsibility for leading the delivery of complex civil engineering projects from concept through to construction design. You will provide technical leadership and strategic input across highways/roads, access tracks, bridges, retaining structures, drainage systems, and associated works, ensuring buildability, value engineering, and compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards.
You will oversee the development of concept designs for planning and third party consents/approvals, preparation of sustainable drainage proposals, and liaising with statutory consultees such as Local Authorities, SEPA, and EA. Acting as the client’s primary point of contact, you will manage design packages, lead multi-disciplinary coordination, and ensure timely delivery to programme and budget. You will also mentor and guide senior and junior engineers, ensuring technical excellence and adherence to quality assurance processes.
From design concept to construction stage, you will actively manage health, safety, and environmental hazards, communicate residual risks effectively, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements and guidance. You will play a key role in implementing project management frameworks and supporting work-winning activities to drive business growth.
Your Impact in this Position
You will be instrumental in delivering infrastructure that supports economic growth and sustainable development. Success in this role is measured through technical leadership, strategic thinking, and proactive collaboration. In the short term, you will focus on leading high-quality design outputs and supporting project delivery. Over time, you will take on greater responsibility for client engagement, business development, and shaping our infrastructure offering across Scotland.
Your Toolkit for Success at Tetra Tech
At Tetra Tech, we recruit using core capabilities—the essential skills, experience, and responsibilities required to perform the role effectively. But here’s the secret: there’s no such thing as the perfect candidate. If you feel you meet around 75% of the requirements, we’d love to hear from you.
Technical Expertise in Civil Infrastructure Design
You will bring extensive experience in civil engineering design and project delivery, ideally within highways/roads, renewable energy, or major infrastructure projects. Your technical capability will include the ability to develop and review complex designs for roads, drainage systems, earthworks, and associated civil structures, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices. Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and drainage design software such as Causeway Flow or MicroDrainage is essential, as these tools will enable you to produce accurate and efficient design outputs. A strong understanding of industry standards such as DMRB, sustainable drainage design principles, and hydraulic modelling that enable the delivery of robust and environmentally responsible solutions. Your knowledge of construction methodologies, material specifications, and testing requirements will ensure that designs are practical, cost-effective, and buildable.
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Leadership & Strategic Delivery
As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will demonstrate proven experience in managing large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects and leading design teams to deliver exceptional results. You will take ownership of project planning, resource allocation, and technical oversight, ensuring that all deliverables meet programme, budget, and quality requirements. Your leadership will extend beyond technical guidance—you will inspire and mentor senior and junior engineers, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement. Strong organisational skills, commercial awareness, and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively will be key to driving successful outcomes and maintaining client confidence.
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Excellent communication skills are essential for this role. You will represent the business confidently in client meetings, technical workshops, and stakeholder consultations, ensuring that complex engineering concepts are conveyed clearly and persuasively. Your ability to prepare detailed technical reports, present design solutions, and respond to queries promptly will underpin strong relationships with clients, contractors, and statutory bodies. You will act as a trusted advisor, providing pragmatic solutions and maintaining open lines of communication throughout the project lifecycle.
Innovation & Sustainability Leadership
You will champion innovative approaches to civil engineering design, integrating sustainability principles into every stage of project delivery. This includes identifying opportunities to reduce carbon emissions, optimise material reuse, and implement low-impact construction techniques. You will actively contribute to whole-life carbon assessments and embed best practice methodologies that align with environmental objectives and client aspirations. Your forward-thinking mindset will help position our team as a leader in sustainable infrastructure design.
Commercial Awareness & Client Focus
You will demonstrate a strong understanding of project economics, including cost control, risk management, and value engineering. Your ability to anticipate client needs, provide strategic advice, and contribute to work-winning activities will strengthen relationships and support business growth. You will play a key role in preparing bids, developing proposals, and ensuring that technical solutions align with commercial objectives. By combining technical expertise with commercial insight, you will help deliver projects that meet client expectations while maintaining profitability and operational excellence.
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Mandatory Requirements
You will hold a BSc, BEng, MSc, or MEng degree in Civil or Structural Engineering and have extensive experience in civil engineering design and project delivery, ideally within highways/roads, renewable energy, or major infrastructure projects. A proven track record of technical competence in areas such as geometric design, drainage systems, and earthworks is essential, along with a strong understanding of HSQE principles and statutory requirements. You should be confident in leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing complex design packages from concept through to detailed stages. Due to the nature of the role, a full UK driving licence is required for site visits and travel.
Desirable
Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status with ICE or CIHT is highly desirable, although candidates actively working toward professional accreditation will also be considered. Experience in work-winning activities and client relationship management will be advantageous, as will familiarity with environmental impact assessments and permitting processes. Knowledge of sustainable drainage systems and hydraulic modelling, combined with proficiency in project management frameworks and quality assurance processes, will further strengthen your application.
Work Patterns and Locations
The role is based in either Edinburgh or Glasgow with an expectation of at least two days per week on site for collaboration and client engagement. Hybrid working is available, with flexibility provided in line with project and client requirements.
Why join Tetra Tech?
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.
We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.
In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day-to-day role
Recruitment Agencies We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list and any submitted will be taken as a gift. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.
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