Principal Engineer - Section 38
| Posting date: | 10 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £38,220 to £40,777 per month |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 30 November 2025 |
| Location: | Kirklees |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Kirklees Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 16233 |
Summary
We are looking for a skilled and experienced Principal Engineer to join our Section 38 team within the Local Highway Authority. Reporting to the Group Engineer, you will provide senior technical expertise and lead on the assessment, approval, and delivery of developer-led highway schemes under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980.
This is a fantastic opportunity to influence the quality and sustainability of new highway infrastructure across the borough, working closely with developers, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
The Team
Join our Team in Section 38 and you’ll be working in a team responsible for overseeing the adoption of new roads and highways that are constructed as part of private residential or commercial developments. These roads are built by developers but, once completed to the local authority’s adoptable standards, can be formally adopted as public highways under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980.
The team works closely with developers, legal teams, planning officers and a range of internal highway departments throughout the lifecycle of a development, from reviewing and approving technical designs through to inspecting the works on site, and ensuring the necessary legal and financial agreements, such as bonds and maintenance periods, are in place.
The ultimate goal of the Section 38 team is to protect the Council’s interest while ensuring high-quality infrastructure is delivered for the benefit of residents and the travelling public.
Key Responsibilities
Lead on the technical review and approval of Section 38 highway designs and construction proposals.
Provide expert advice on highway engineering standards, materials, and construction methods.
Support the Group Engineer in delivering team objectives and mentoring junior staff.
Undertake site inspections and ensure compliance with approved designs and specifications.
Liaise with legal teams to support the drafting and completion of Section 38 agreements.
Contribute to continuous improvement of processes and policies related to highway adoption.
For a full list of the role requirements please see the attached Job Profile.
What can we offer?
Hybrid working supporting a balance between home and work
A friendly, supportive and professional team environment
Opportunities for career development and progression
Excellent local government pension scheme
A range of family friendly policies, including flexible working
What a team member says about the role
"Being a Principal Engineer in the Section 38 team is a genuinely fulfilling role. You get to work on a wide range of development projects, applying your technical knowledge to ensure new highways are safe, sustainable, and built to last. There’s a great mix of technical challenge and collaboration, and you’re constantly engaging with developers, consultants, and colleagues across the authority. It’s a role where your expertise really makes a difference."
This is a fantastic opportunity to influence the quality and sustainability of new highway infrastructure across the borough, working closely with developers, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
The Team
Join our Team in Section 38 and you’ll be working in a team responsible for overseeing the adoption of new roads and highways that are constructed as part of private residential or commercial developments. These roads are built by developers but, once completed to the local authority’s adoptable standards, can be formally adopted as public highways under Section 38 of the Highways Act 1980.
The team works closely with developers, legal teams, planning officers and a range of internal highway departments throughout the lifecycle of a development, from reviewing and approving technical designs through to inspecting the works on site, and ensuring the necessary legal and financial agreements, such as bonds and maintenance periods, are in place.
The ultimate goal of the Section 38 team is to protect the Council’s interest while ensuring high-quality infrastructure is delivered for the benefit of residents and the travelling public.
Key Responsibilities
Lead on the technical review and approval of Section 38 highway designs and construction proposals.
Provide expert advice on highway engineering standards, materials, and construction methods.
Support the Group Engineer in delivering team objectives and mentoring junior staff.
Undertake site inspections and ensure compliance with approved designs and specifications.
Liaise with legal teams to support the drafting and completion of Section 38 agreements.
Contribute to continuous improvement of processes and policies related to highway adoption.
For a full list of the role requirements please see the attached Job Profile.
What can we offer?
Hybrid working supporting a balance between home and work
A friendly, supportive and professional team environment
Opportunities for career development and progression
Excellent local government pension scheme
A range of family friendly policies, including flexible working
What a team member says about the role
"Being a Principal Engineer in the Section 38 team is a genuinely fulfilling role. You get to work on a wide range of development projects, applying your technical knowledge to ensure new highways are safe, sustainable, and built to last. There’s a great mix of technical challenge and collaboration, and you’re constantly engaging with developers, consultants, and colleagues across the authority. It’s a role where your expertise really makes a difference."
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