Principal Civil Engineer - Bridges

Join Our Team: Principal Engineer – Highway Structures Opportunity  Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.  The Principal Engineer (Highway Structures) is a key role in the Asset Management Team and is responsible for delivering a specialist technical engineering function to provide the Trust with internal professional expertise relating to our Highway Structures (Bridges) portfolio, including nearly 900 Public Road Bridges and 3000+ more variations. These include;  Fixed Bridges.  Moveable Bridges: Swing/Turnbridges: & Lift/Bascule Bridges. Specialized Towpath Bridges: Turnover (Snake) & Split Bridges. Modern Structures. Aqueducts. This role ensures asset safety, regulatory compliance, and long‑term performance through expert engineering oversight, inspections, and contribution to the Trust’s Asset Management Strategy. See a more information & FAQs here: Principal Engineer, Highway Structures - Candidate Information.docx  Working Hours & Location  This role follows a 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. The Principal Engineer opportunity will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required. Regular travel across our network will be required. See here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers   Relevant Hubs:  Leeds, Ellesmere Port, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Gloucester.   A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.  Role Overview  In this exciting role, you’ll lead the charge in keeping our bridges and highway structures safe, reliable and future‑ready. From delivering critical inspections and driving modern asset management, to shaping standards, influencing planning and providing expert technical advice, you’ll make a real impact every day. You’ll represent the Trust across the industry, guide a talented team, champion our values, and help create an inclusive environment where great engineering — and great people — can thrive.   Key Responsibilities  Accountable for the management of significant infrastructure risk through the delivery of an integrated asset management system to improve asset condition, safety and performance. Contribute to the development and implementation of the Trust’s bridge and highway structures Asset Management Strategies.   Improve the Trust’s adoption of DMRB requirements and contribute to relevant Design Guidance, Standards and Specifications. Represent the Trust within professional forums to develop collaborative relationships, share best practice and protect the Trust’s interests. Delivery of the Trust’s Public Road Bridge Inspection programme. Undertake inspections of Bridges and Highway Structures with some confined space working. Deliver inspections to plan, ensuring data is reviewed, approved, recorded and maintained in the prescribed format and to the prescribed quality. Act as the Trust’s Technical Approval Authority (TAA) for Bridges and Highway Structures. Provide specialist technical advice to both in-house and external design and delivery teams. Provide specialist technical advice to support the Trust’s response to Planning Consultations and the management of Third-Party Works.   Providing effective leadership to a small team of engineers and inspectors to create a high performing team which is inspired to achieve the Trust’s objectives.  Ensure that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promote inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions.  Where appropriate participate in the Trust‘s “Stand-by” and” Call-out” rotas.   About You  We welcome applicants with hands on experience in bridge and highway inspections, infrastructure risk management, technical problem solving, and leading high performing teams — plus a commitment to safety, collaboration and inclusive working.  Skills & Qualifications  Technical:   Chartered Civil Engineer (C.Eng MICE) or equivalent professional qualification. Substantial relevant experience of engineering works to Bridges / Highway Structures. Extensive experience of engineering design and construction preferably in a water or transport infrastructure environment.  Expert understanding of CDM Regulations, and relevant Health & Safety regulations. Experience of people management. Knowledge and understanding of historic infrastructure and the natural environment.  General:  Demonstrable experience in cross-functional working. Able to negotiate with internal and external contacts and support other areas of the business in an appropriate manner, taking account of overall business priorities and resources. Able to review conflicting (and cross-functional) risks making appropriate judgements to establish and communicate appropriate order. Evidence of Continuous Professional Development. Understanding of the Trust‘s governance, financial controls, Quality Management techniques and compliance. Proficient in the use of a personal computer and business applications software e.g. MS Office. Experience of GIS or other mapping systems.   Valid driving licence appropriate for vehicle to be driven.   Contact & Application  If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk.  We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.  What We Offer  In addition to your annual base salary of £53,750 - £58,750, we also offer Car Cash Allowance (£450 per month), a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.   Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits  #INDHP