AECOM
Principal Engineer/ Associate Director of Highways & Traffic
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Principal Engineer/ Associate Director of Highways & Traffic
Principal Engineer / Associate Director of Traffic & Highways
Location: Newcastle, UK
Company Description
Work with Us. Change the World.
At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. Join us to bring bold ideas and big dreams, and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers, and other professionals delivering positive impact globally.
About the Role
Position Title:
Principal Engineer / Associate Director, Traffic & Highways
About the Role:
Are you ready to shape the future of transport?
Our Streets Team has a vacancy in our Newcastle office for a Principal Engineer / Associate Director of Traffic & Highways. You’ll lead a broad range of traffic and highway engineering projects, drive work-winning activities, and enhance client relationships to grow our Newcastle and Northern Streets business. In this role, you will:
- Develop impactful design solutions
- Deliver high levels of service through collaborative engagement
- Foster existing and new client relationships
- Work closely with AECOM’s global team, including the UK & Ireland business and internationally
The Streets team provides a full spectrum of services: feasibility, concept, preliminary and detailed design, community engagement, project delivery, and construction management across multi-discipline transportation and urban realm projects. We’re known for active travel, public transport, bus priority, and general traffic engineering—and we thrive on collaboration.
This role is ideal for a self-motivated, ambitious professional eager to advance their career. You’ll work the Newcastle office while engaging with AECOM teams across the Northern region and wider UK & Ireland, with opportunities for international collaboration.
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Join us and grow with AECOM, contributing to a global company known for delivering innovative, inclusive, and high-impact projects.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the delivery of high-level traffic and highway engineering projects, ensuring alignment with project briefs and client requirements.
- Develop and maintain strong client relationships while identifying and seizing commercial opportunities.
- Prepare detailed technical proposals, client briefs, and fee proposals, contributing to— or leading— bid strategies and business development efforts, locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Manage a team of professionals with a proactive and supportive line-management approach, focused on career progression, skill development, and adherence to current best practices.
- Collaborate effectively with internal and external teams, demonstrating superb technical expertise in areas such as:
- Traffic engineering design
- Cycling & walking solutions
- Bus priority and BRT (Bus Rapid Transit)
- Road safety audits
- 3D alignment design, drainage, pavements, VRS, signs and markings, lighting, traffic signals
- Provide on-site supervision of traffic/ highway schemes, ensuring technical excellence and timely delivery.
- Utilise traffic modelling software, including LinSig, TRANSYT, and Junctions 10/11.
- Uphold AECOM’s culture of integrity, innovation, and progressive thinking.
Requirements & Qualifications
Essential Criteria:
- Relevant degree with Chartered status (or working towards it) along with professional institution membership.
- Proven ability to lead traffic/ highway engineering projects, ensuring high-quality outputs—especially for sustainable infrastructure and roads.
- Strong reputation for client engagement, commercial awareness, and strategic relationship-building.
- Track record of preparing bid proposals, contributing to successful tenders, and advancing AECOM’s business development objectives.
- Exceptional leadership and progressive team management, supporting skill development and best-practice adoption.
- Irresistible communication and collaboration skills—demonstrating strong working relationships with external and internal stakeholders.
- Cultural fit with AECOM’s values and behaviours, ensuring positive impact and motivation.
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Desirable Technical Competencies:
- Specialised technical expertise in:
- Traffic engineering design
- Active travel, cycling/walking infrastructure
- Bus priority networks and BRT systems
- Road safety initiatives and audits
- Engagement with pavement design, drainage, lighting, and traffic signals
- 3D design & LINETM & AutoTURN
Benefits:
We place great value on your growth and well-being. Our benefits programme includes:
- Flexible hybrid working policies.
- Robust career development opportunities (e.g., AECOM University).
- Daily skill enhancement via technical practice networks.
- CEM Global Volunteering days for shared community impact.
Equal Opportunity Commitment
AECOM celebrates diversity, including neurodiversity, believing it enriches our work environment. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds and abilities.
Should any financial or resource limitation hinder an applicant’s participation in this process, reasonable accommodations can be requested at: ReasonableAccommodationsUKI@aecom.com
We are a Disability Confident Employer, ensuring equal accessibility for all. Meet the base criteria for this role, regardless of means or ability to apply confidently.
All submitted details will be processed in strict accordance with AECOM’s EEO guidelines.
ReqID: J10153611
Career Stage: Engineering
Location Model: Hybrid Business Line: Transportation
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