Principal Design Engineer
| Posting date: | 12 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £47,181 to £51,356 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 March 2026 |
| Location: | Keynsham, Bristol |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Bath & North East Somerset Council |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | RITM0232535 |
Summary
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives.
Make a real difference to the way people move around Bath & North East Somerset
About the Area:
Nestled between the Cotswold and Mendip areas of outstanding natural beauty, Bath & North East Somerset is a region that boasts both vibrant urban life and serene rural landscapes. The city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its historic architecture and Britain’s only natural thermal springs. This unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty makes Bath & North East Somerset a highly desirable place to live, work, and visit.
We are seeking enthusiastic and forward‑thinking people to join our Design & Projects Team at a pivotal moment. Following several retirements and internal promotions, we are expanding our capacity that will help the Council meet its climate and transport ambitions.
About the team:
Every journey in our area starts on streets we shape. In the Design & Projects Team, engineers and project staff work to turn policy into projects that change how people move—creating safer crossings and junctions, building cycleways and inclusive wheeling routes, improved facilities for bus users, and putting in place measures so walking becomes the easy, natural choice. If you want your work to be visible on the ground and valued by the community, this is where you’ll feel it every day.
About the role:
Principal Design Engineer (Engineer III RP109) - 2 posts
As a leader within the team (reports to the Design & Projects Manager), you will direct the design and delivery of the Council’s Local Active Travel and Safety programme, shaping schemes that make it safer, easier and more attractive for people to walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport. You will also oversee the Technical Approval of civil engineering and highway projects delivered by other Council teams.
What We Are Looking For:
For the Principal Design Engineer role, substantial experience in leading and managing a Highways and Technical function within either the Public or Private Sector.
Substantial experience of the design and delivery of active travel and highway improvement schemes at all scheme stages.
Substantial experience in Active Travel and Highway Design, with an excellent knowledge of Design Standards and Guidance (including LTN 1/20, DMRB, MfS2 and the Traffic Signs Manual).
Proven ability of the delivery of programmes of work, including both multi-million pound and small-scale schemes to programme and within budget.
Substantial experience of procurement and contractor management.
Proven ability to manage a team.
Why Join Us?
As well as the local outcomes you will help shape, we are part of the West of England Combined Authority and have secured significant transport funding, leading to substantial investments in public transport, walking, and cycling improvements over the next five years. You will play a crucial role in ensuring these projects are delivered on time and within budget as well as ensuring that our services deliver on our commitment to “Improve People’s Lives”.
Work Environment:
This role offers the flexibility of blended working, with time split between home and our award-winning Civic Centre in Keynsham, conveniently located between Bath and Bristol. Hot desking options are also available at the Guildhall in Bath.
Join Us:
If you are ready to take Bath & North East Somerset to new heights, we want to hear from you. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact and help shape the future of our exceptional region.
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Steve Froggatt, Design & Projects Manager on 01225 395239 or steve_froggatt@bathnes.gov.uk
Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible
Interview date: TBC
No Agencies Please
*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.
Make a real difference to the way people move around Bath & North East Somerset
About the Area:
Nestled between the Cotswold and Mendip areas of outstanding natural beauty, Bath & North East Somerset is a region that boasts both vibrant urban life and serene rural landscapes. The city of Bath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its historic architecture and Britain’s only natural thermal springs. This unique blend of cultural heritage and natural beauty makes Bath & North East Somerset a highly desirable place to live, work, and visit.
We are seeking enthusiastic and forward‑thinking people to join our Design & Projects Team at a pivotal moment. Following several retirements and internal promotions, we are expanding our capacity that will help the Council meet its climate and transport ambitions.
About the team:
Every journey in our area starts on streets we shape. In the Design & Projects Team, engineers and project staff work to turn policy into projects that change how people move—creating safer crossings and junctions, building cycleways and inclusive wheeling routes, improved facilities for bus users, and putting in place measures so walking becomes the easy, natural choice. If you want your work to be visible on the ground and valued by the community, this is where you’ll feel it every day.
About the role:
Principal Design Engineer (Engineer III RP109) - 2 posts
As a leader within the team (reports to the Design & Projects Manager), you will direct the design and delivery of the Council’s Local Active Travel and Safety programme, shaping schemes that make it safer, easier and more attractive for people to walk, wheel, cycle and use public transport. You will also oversee the Technical Approval of civil engineering and highway projects delivered by other Council teams.
What We Are Looking For:
For the Principal Design Engineer role, substantial experience in leading and managing a Highways and Technical function within either the Public or Private Sector.
Substantial experience of the design and delivery of active travel and highway improvement schemes at all scheme stages.
Substantial experience in Active Travel and Highway Design, with an excellent knowledge of Design Standards and Guidance (including LTN 1/20, DMRB, MfS2 and the Traffic Signs Manual).
Proven ability of the delivery of programmes of work, including both multi-million pound and small-scale schemes to programme and within budget.
Substantial experience of procurement and contractor management.
Proven ability to manage a team.
Why Join Us?
As well as the local outcomes you will help shape, we are part of the West of England Combined Authority and have secured significant transport funding, leading to substantial investments in public transport, walking, and cycling improvements over the next five years. You will play a crucial role in ensuring these projects are delivered on time and within budget as well as ensuring that our services deliver on our commitment to “Improve People’s Lives”.
Work Environment:
This role offers the flexibility of blended working, with time split between home and our award-winning Civic Centre in Keynsham, conveniently located between Bath and Bristol. Hot desking options are also available at the Guildhall in Bath.
Join Us:
If you are ready to take Bath & North East Somerset to new heights, we want to hear from you. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact and help shape the future of our exceptional region.
If you are interested in this post and require more details or just to chat through the role and what’s involved, please contact Steve Froggatt, Design & Projects Manager on 01225 395239 or steve_froggatt@bathnes.gov.uk
Please note that this advert may close earlier than the stated closing date due to high demand. We advise all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible
Interview date: TBC
No Agencies Please
*Please note, BANES Council operates a policy of prior consideration for roles for any individual on the Council’s at-risk register (redeployee). This means should a redeployee express an interest in this role, providing they meet the essential criteria for the role they will be considered ahead of external applicants.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.