Principal Engineer

National Highways have an excellent opportunity for a Principal Engineer to join our team within North West Operations. The Principal Engineer will provide deep specialism and technical expertise to Engineers involved in the identification and evaluation of asset specific needs and early solutions primarily for boundary fencing and road signs assets, while assuring adherence to defined asset policies and standards and to act as the technical authority for the specific asset class(es) in scope. You will be required to drive as part of your role and you will need to have a full driving license with no more than 3 points to be considered for this position and during employment Please note that this is a hybrid position and can be based from any of our offices within the North West to include Warrington, Manchester, Penrith or Preston. What you'll be leading on

• Ensure the health and safety needs and wellbeing of customers and employees are fully considered and accounted for throughout the planning and delivery of each service activity.
• Develop asset specific management plans and ensure asset management decisions adhere to defined policies and standards, provide value for money, and maximise contribution to the delivery of business objectives.
• Identify, prioritise and manage asset need in accordance with required governance and to achieve business objectives
• Provide specialist technical expertise and assurance in the development of early solutions for renewals and improvement schemes, in line with agreed methodologies and prioritisation criteria, and considering new techniques, materials, buildability, and costs.
• Identify and commission survey works to support the improvement and/or renewal of assets; to check and approve technical briefs, reports, specifications, drawings and supporting information.
• Continuously monitor and analyse asset data, to champion asset data quality, integrity and adherence to data standards and guidelines, and provide coaching and guidance to regional colleagues involved in data entry and maintenance.
• Oversee and advise on the development of technical briefs provided to the design and construction contractor for improvement and renewals work., Operations is at the heart of keeping the strategic road network moving and ensuring our customers get the best possible experience when using our roads.
  
  Degree in relevant discipline, Higher National Diploma, or Higher National Certificate with relevant experience, or equivalent experience.
• Expert knowledge of asset condition assessment and degradation modelling.
• Expert knowledge of asset specific Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) standards and their application on the highways network.
• Understanding of the Value Management process and/or cost benefit analysis of schemes is desirable.
• Experience in highways infrastructure design, AutoCAD is desirable.
• Experience in highway construction and delivery methods.
• Knowledge of boundary fencing / road sign assets is desirable
  
  We address over 39,000 customer enquiries every month, plan and deliver all maintenance activities on the network, drive efficiencies and improvements across our systems and roads, and respond to incidents across 4,500 miles of motorways and major A-roads that we manage. All to make sure National Highways customers have safer, smoother, and more reliable journeys., At National Highways we believe in a connected country. We are passionate about creating a culture where colleagues feel connected, included and enjoy greater wellbeing to achieve this. We're proud that as an organisation we are continually striving to do better and actively encourage and support our colleagues to do the same with their careers.
  
  We offer many different ways to work flexibly and we're open to discuss part-time working, job shares, and flexible start and finish times.
Please wait until the interview stage before asking us about flexibility, and we will explore what is possible. Our benefits package
• Our total reward package includes basic salary, the potential for a performance related bonus
• Contributory pension scheme with employer contribution of up to 10%
• Annual Leave starting at 26 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising by 1 day each year up to 31 days (plus Bank Holidays)
• Flexible hours and an approach driven by connected and sustainable working which includes hybrid working
• Life assurance of 4 times annual salary
• Health and wellbeing support, including an Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7 365 days and network of mental health first aiders. Plus access to a wellbeing app to enhance your self-care 24/7, Occupational health service and flu vaccines
• A cycle to work scheme for the purchase of a bicycle and equipment for healthy, low carbon travel
• Significant investment in your career development, through learning and development, talent management, coaching, mentoring and on job experience
And we are
• Family friendly with enhanced maternity leave and pay, paternity leave (15 days), shared parental leave, adoption leave. Plus access to financial support for holiday play schemes and paid special leave (up to 5 days pa), eg for caring responsibilities
• Money friendly with access to a discounts platform including over 3000 discounts for supermarkets, eating out, leisure, holidays. Alongside a financial wellbeing programme
• Community friendly - offering paid leave to volunteer, 3 days basic/year
If you are successful, it is key to know all offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of our pre-employment checks which include:
• Right to work check
• 3 year employment history references
• DBS criminal record check
• Social media and adverse journalism check
• Driving licence check (if applicable)
• Fit to work questionnaire (for all), followed by a medical check (if applicable)
• Qualifications and/or professional membership check (if applicable)