Principal Consultant
| Posting date: | 28 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £44,241 to £51,775 per year |
| Additional salary information: | Starting salary of £44,421 - £51,775 with an additional engineering skills allowance of £4,500, increasing to £9,000 after 3 years. |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 11 May 2026 |
| Location: | Leatherhead |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 458356/1 |
Summary
Do you find energy in solving problems that require both depth of analysis and creativity in approach?
Can you thrive in a role where engaging diverse stakeholders is just as important as technical work itself?
Will you enjoy being the person others rely on for confident, well‑reasoned technical guidance?
If so, we would love to hear from you as you could be the perfect candidate to step into the role of Principal Consultant in the Vehicle Certification Agency’s Dangerous Goods Team as a trusted technical voice in one of the most safety-critical areas of transport. You’ll shape how tanks and transportable pressure equipment are designed, inspected, and approved, guiding industry and inspection bodies through complex regulatory landscapes while ensuring the safe movement of dangerous goods across the UK and beyond. It’s a role where your engineering judgement, clarity of thought, and ability to build strong, credible relationships directly influence public safety and regulatory integrity, and where your expertise genuinely makes a national impact.
About Us
Our work focuses on improving vehicle safety and environmental protection through robust testing and certification to nationally and internationally recognised standards. As part of the Department for Transport, we are the UK’s designated Vehicle Type Approval Authority. With over 40 years’ experience, we are one of the largest and most respected approval bodies, known for our technical expertise and commitment to quality.
The VCA’s Dangerous Goods Office (DGO) certifies containment systems for the transport of dangerous goods, from small packaging and gas cylinders to road tankers and tank containers for international use. The DGO also issues regulatory approvals, delivered directly or through appointed inspection bodies (AIBs), supports DfT policy development, provides expert guidance, and contributes to international standards.
Here is Ziyad Akhlaq, Head of Dangerous Goods, to tell you more:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQrEwnFzsiw?si=Oj1U9_MdWHPH-SP5
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Imagine stepping into a role where your judgement shapes national safety standards, your expertise guides industry, and your signature carries the authority of both the Vehicle Certification Agency and the Department for Transport. As our next Principal Consultant, you become the trusted specialist who ensures dangerous goods tanks and pressure equipment across the UK meet the highest regulatory expectations.
In this role, you will lead from the centre. You’ll oversee and support Appointed Inspection Bodies as they apply for and maintain their approvals, acting as the key figure who helps them navigate complex regulatory requirements with confidence. You’ll also line manage a dedicated Tank Engineer, giving you the chance to mentor, influence, and build capability within the team.
Your voice matters here. You’ll provide authoritative regulatory interpretations, issue guidance that shapes industry practice, and sign official and legal documents that uphold national safety standards. It’s a role where technical depth meets real-world impact.
To thrive, you’ll develop a deep understanding of dangerous goods transport regulations and the standards governing tank and pressure equipment construction and inspection. You’ll spend time with customers on‑site, seeing first‑hand how your decisions and expertise support safe operations across the sector.
At the VCA, you’re supported to grow. We champion ongoing professional and personal development, ensuring you have the space and resources to deepen your expertise and advance your career. We also foster a culture built on inclusivity, diversity, and genuine work–life balance; because we believe people do their best work when they feel valued, supported, and able to thrive both inside and outside the workplace.
This is a role for someone who wants to be more than a specialist; someone who wants to be a leader, an advisor, and a guardian of safety.
Your main duties will include but will not be limited to:
- Assess applications for Appointment of Tank and Transportable Pressure Equipment (TPE) bodies, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards.
- Responsibility for the VCA/DfT tank certification scheme including associated systems and processes
- Provide expert technical support to the Department for Transport (DfT) on matters relating to tanks and TPE, including interpretation of regulations and guidance.
- Represent the agency at industry meetings, including with:
- Industry groups
- Government departments and agencies
- Other national bodies (e.g., UKAS)
- Competent authorities from other countries
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
For further information on the role, please read the role profile attached. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
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