Principal Engineer / Associate – Construction & Buildability Advisory

Role Overview

WSP seeks a candidate with Tier 1 contractor experience (sub‑agent/site agent level) and a background in major highways projects to join the Leeds Roads team. You will support technical delivery and design coordination to ensure designs are practical, constructable and deliverable on site. Working closely with design teams, clients and delivery partners, you will apply a strong “right first time” approach – reviewing designs for constructability, identifying constraints early and ensuring outputs are clear and unambiguous. You will also support the early stages of scheme development by advising on construction strategy, phasing, traffic management, and producing high‑level construction programmes to inform economic and environmental assessments.

Responsibilities

• Undertake design assurance and buildability reviews (including methodology/sequence, alternatives/innovation, affordability) and check drawings/specifications for ambiguities prior to issue.
• Identify site constraints and construction risks, requirements for site investigations, permanent/temporary land take and temporary works.
• Consider alternative and innovative design solutions.
• Support CDM design compliance.
• Identify safety issues and residual risks across construction and ensure these are captured and communicated through design risk management processes.
• Assess construction strategy, phasing and programme durations.
• Advise on the planning of statutory undertakers’ diversionary works.
• Prepare technical reports.
• Engage with internal design teams to provide clear, pragmatic buildability advice.
• Engage with clients and delivery stakeholders (including contractors) to develop trusted relationships.
• Support construction‑stage delivery as required in a site supervision/inspection capacity.

Qualifications

• Experience in the delivery of major highways and civil engineering projects, with demonstrable construction/contracting exposure and the ability to provide robust constructability assurance and contractor‑focused assessment.
• Experience in developing construction phasing plans, traffic management plans, earthworks strategies and construction programmes.
• Proven ability to identify construction and buildability constraints and risks.
• Strong understanding of CDM and design risk management, including identifying and communicating residual risks across construction, operation and maintenance.
• Experience in interfacing with statutory undertakers’ diversionary works.
• Good communication, client management and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to prepare technical reports.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Chartered Civil Engineer or an Incorporated Engineer.

Benefits

• Work‑life balance – flexible hybrid working (two days a week from home) and modern offices across the UK.
• Inclusivity & belonging – a culture that welcomes varied backgrounds and encourages people to bring their whole selves to work.
• Health & wellbeing – support through the Thrive programme, virtual GP service, reasonable workplace adjustments, Gymflex scheme and comprehensive menopause support.
• Flex your time – “WSP My Hour” allows one hour each day for personal activities, with flexibility to make up time.
• Development – training, mentoring, and chartership opportunities.

EEO Statement

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria; please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

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