Industry
Transportation
Principal Pavement Engineer
London, UK
Posted on Nov 12, 2026
At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
Your expertise will influence how major infrastructure projects are designed, delivered and operated.
You will help develop pavement solutions that are safe, durable, buildable and commercially sound. By questioning assumptions, reviewing complex designs and guiding multidisciplinary teams, you will improve technical quality while reducing delivery risk for clients and projects.
You will be trusted as a technical authority, with the opportunity to shape design strategy, introduce better ways of working and help engineers develop their capability. Your contribution will extend beyond individual projects: you will also strengthen client relationships and support the continued growth of Jacobs’ pavement engineering capability internationally.
About the opportunity
This is a senior technical role for an experienced pavement engineer who wants greater influence over projects, people and technical direction.
You will lead pavement engineering across multidisciplinary infrastructure projects, from early concept and option development through detailed design, construction and operation. You will work with clients, contractors and engineering teams in Poland and internationally, applying UK, US, Middle Eastern or equivalent international standards where appropriate.
What makes this opportunity different is the combination of hands-on technical leadership and the freedom to improve how work is delivered. You will be able to challenge designs, influence project decisions and help introduce digital tools, standardised approaches and leaner design processes that give engineers more time to solve valuable technical problems.
Success will mean delivering high-quality, constructable designs, building trusted client relationships and leaving projects and teams stronger than you found them.
What you'll be doing
- Lead pavement engineering on infrastructure projects from concept through design, construction and operation.
- Shape pavement design strategies and provide clear, evidence-based technical advice.
- Review and challenge designs to improve safety, quality, buildability, sustainability and value.
- Coordinate pavement engineering with highways, geotechnical, drainage and other project disciplines.
- Produce and review reports, specifications, drawings and other technical deliverables.
- Help define project scope, resource requirements, delivery programmes and fee estimates.
- Identify technical, commercial and delivery risks early, including changes that could affect scope, programme or budget.
- Work directly with clients, contractors, project stakeholders and international delivery teams.
- Apply relevant pavement standards and guidance, including DMRB, MCHW, British Standards or appropriate international equivalents.
Here's what you'll need
- Substantial professional experience in pavement design, including the judgement to lead or independently review complex design work.
- A strong understanding of pavement materials, structural behaviour, deterioration and failure mechanisms.
- Experience producing or reviewing pavement design reports, specifications, drawings and supporting engineering documentation.
- Experience using, reviewing or technically overseeing appropriate pavement design and modelling methods.
- Experience coordinating work across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- The confidence to explain technical recommendations clearly to clients, colleagues and stakeholders with different levels of technical knowledge.
- Evidence of supporting other engineers through technical guidance, mentoring or coaching.
#Pavement #Infrastructure #LI-DC1
Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.
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As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
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Locations
| City | State | Country |
|---|---|---|
| London | Greater London | United Kingdom |
| Birmingham | West Midlands | United Kingdom |
| Leeds | West Yorkshire | United Kingdom |
| Manchester | Greater Manchester | United Kingdom |
