Engineer Highways Licensing

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea; City of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking an Engineer for Highways Licensing. The role involves managing and coordinating public highway works, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards. Candidates should have a qualification in civil engineering and significant experience in the field. Excellent communication and organizational skills are essential. This position is full-time and based in the City of London.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Access to a council vehicle for site visits

Qualifications

• Five years’ experience in highways engineering.
• Strong grasp of relevant legislation.
• Full UK driving license is essential.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and approve minor highway works.
• Review applications and inspect sites.
• Provide cost estimates and manage projects.

Skills

Technical expertise

Excellent communication skills

Organizational skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Experience with Confirm

Confidence in inspecting sites

Education

ONC or equivalent qualification in civil engineering

Tools

Confirm

Job description

Join to apply for the Engineer Highways Licensing role at Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

Job Description

Keep our streets safe, accessible and well‑managed by coordinating essential works across our borough. As an Engineer, Highways Licensing, you’ll play a vital role in protecting and maintaining Kensington and Chelsea’s public roads. From vehicle cross‑overs and scaffolding to street works and events, you’ll make sure everything that happens on our highways meets the highest standards of safety, quality and compliance. This is a hands‑on role where your work will have a visible impact on daily life in the borough.

Working Style

You’ll be based in the borough for 4 days a week, playing a key role in serving the local community. Whether you’re working on the frontline or behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a dedicated team making a real difference to residents’ lives.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll be at the centre of how we manage and protect the borough’s public realm, coordinating and approving minor highway works through the licensing process. The day‑to‑day work includes reviewing applications and liaising with residents and developers, inspecting sites and ensuring works are carried out safely and efficiently. Managing the full process for vehicle cross‑overs, temporary structures (e.g., scaffolding, hoarding) and Section 50 street works is a key part of the role. You’ll provide cost estimates, plan works with term contractors and confirm completion to a high standard, ensuring full compliance with the Traffic Signs Manual, the Safety at Street Works and Road Works and relevant Health and Safety legislation. Regular site visits across the borough to carry out inspections before, during and after works will also be part of the job. Using the council’s asset management system, Confirm, you’ll raise works orders, prepare bills of quantities and maintain accurate, detailed records. Collaboration is key – you’ll work with internal teams such as Planning, Parking and Events, as well as responding promptly to queries from residents and councillors.

What you’ll bring

Solid technical expertise and commitment to great public service. An ONC or equivalent qualification in civil engineering or extensive experience in highways engineering demonstrates your capability. At least five years’ experience working with contractors and developers in a highways or street works environment is required, as is an excellent grasp of key legislation (Highways Act, NRSWA, Chapter 8, the Red Book). You’ll be confident inspecting sites, managing multiple projects and working under pressure while maintaining accuracy and composure. A full UK driving licence is essential. Excellent communication and organisational skills are required – you’ll need to explain complex issues clearly and diplomatically to residents, councillors, contractors and developers. Proficiency with Microsoft Office is required and experience with Confirm is an advantage.

Why join us

At RBKC, we invest in our people, communities and future. You’ll join a supportive Network Management Team, working at the heart of a service that keeps the borough running safely and smoothly. This role offers variety, responsibility and a direct link to the community. You’ll be encouraged to grow your skills through professional development and qualifications, with opportunities to progress within our transport and highways services. You’ll have access to a council vehicle for site visits and work in an environment that values initiative, teamwork and quality.

About Us

Kensington and Chelsea is home to diverse communities, thriving businesses and unique local places. We focus on supporting our residents, strengthening our approach and creating a fairer borough. We act with integrity, listen to our residents and build a greener, safer, fairer borough for all. This role reflects the ‘we’re all in’ mindset – as an Engineer, Highways Licensing, you’ll balance safety, accessibility and community needs, ensuring our streets are safe, compliant and well‑cared for.

Interview Details

Face‑to‑face interviews week commencing 08/12/2025.

Ready to join us?

We’re all in – are you? If you share our values and have the skills to contribute, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply online explaining how you meet the requirements set out in the person specification and job description. We reserve the right to extend or close this vacancy early without warning subject to the volume of suitable applicants.

We are committed to promoting equality and respecting diversity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are a Disability Confident Employer – committed to ensuring that our recruitment and selection process is inclusive and accessible.

We are committed to fair, transparent, and consistent pay practices.

New hires will normally start at the minimum of the pay scale. However, a higher starting salary may be negotiated where a candidate demonstrates exceptional skills, knowledge, or experience.

Employees receive annual salary increments until they reach the top of the pay scale, as well as any agreed cost‑of‑living pay awards.

Seniority level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

• Government Administration