Principal Highways Engineer

Dunnebier Print & Marketing; Huddersfield; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Huddersfield is seeking a full-time Transportation and Highway Development Engineer to support local planning and development. The role involves assessing highway access and providing technical feedback on planning applications. Ideal candidates will have local authority experience and an understanding of planning legislation. The position offers flexible hybrid working until 2026, contributing to major local decisions.

Benefits

Long-term contract to 2026

Flexible hybrid working

Opportunity to contribute to local planning decisions

Work with a progressive Local Authority

Qualifications

• Experienced in development management, transport planning, or similar.
• Understanding of planning legislation and processes.
• Capable of assessing site access viability.

Responsibilities

• Assess sites submitted through the Local Plan process.
• Analyse highway network using available datasets.
• Provide technical feedback on planning applications.
• Identify constraints and propose improvements.
• Complete assessment documentation for Local Plan.
• Collaborate with Planning and Development Management.

Skills

Local Authority highways experience

Experience assessing planning applications

Strong understanding of the local highway network

Highways design experience

Ability to analyse data and technical information

Excellent communication skills

Ability to manage workloads independently

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or related field

Tools

GIS mapping systems

AutoCAD

Job description

Transportation and Highway Development Engineer

Location: Huddersfield (Hybrid)

Rate: £21.98 per hour - Negotiable

Contract: Until 06/11/2026

Hours: Full-time

Start: ASAP

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Highways professional to support the assessment of sites put forward through the Local Plan and planning applications. You will review the existing highway network, assess access feasibility, identify constraints, and provide technical feedback to the Planning team.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess sites submitted through the Local Plan process, reviewing highway access, traffic impact, and transport sustainability.
• Analyse the existing and proposed highway network using available highways information and datasets.
• Provide structured, technical feedback on planning applications in line with national and local policy.
• Identify network constraints and propose suitable highway improvements or mitigation measures.
• Complete required assessment criteria and documentation to support Local Plan progression.
• Work collaboratively with Planning, Development Management, and internal stakeholders.
• Attend meetings as required, including site visits and hybrid discussions.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Local Authority highways experience (development management, transport planning, highways engineering or similar).
• Experience assessing planning applications and understanding planning legislation, local plan processes, and national guidance (NPPF, Manual for Streets, etc.).
• Strong understanding of the local highway network and ability to assess site access viability.
• Highways design or highways engineering experience (e.g., visibility splays, junction design, capacity considerations).
• Ability to analyse data, maps and technical information to produce clear recommendations.
• Excellent communication skills; written technical feedback is a key part of the role.
• Ability to manage workloads independently and work to project deadlines.

Desirable

• Degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation, or related field.
• Experience using GIS mapping systems or AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of local government procedures and highway adoption processes (S38/S278).

Why Apply?

• Long-term contract to 2026
• Flexible hybrid working
• Opportunity to contribute to major local planning and development decisions
• Work with a progressive Local Authority