CPS Principal Highways Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Principal Highways Engineer to provide Construction Phase Support (CPS) on the HS2 MWCC project in the West Midlands. The role focuses on responding to live site queries and change requests, and leading the end-to-end Stage 3 Road Safety Audit (RSA3) process, ensuring all technical responses and documentation are controlled and auditable through the project CDE/workflow.

Key responsibilities

Construction Phase Support / Technical Queries

• Respond to RFIs (Requests for Information) and other live site technical queries.
• Assess and respond to Site Field Change Requests (SFCRs), coordinating with relevant disciplines where required.
• Review and respond to material acceptance requests, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and project requirements.
• Liaise with the contractor and project stakeholders to agree actions, close out queries, and maintain progress.

Stage 3 Road Safety Audit (RSA3) Management

• Lead the RSA3 process including:
  • Drafting the RSA3 Brief
  • Coordinating and arranging the audit team site visit
  • Receiving, processing, and managing the RSA report within the CDE
  • Drafting the Designer's Response and supporting close-out actions
• Chair/attend meetings with HS2 and the Highway Authority to agree the Designer's Response and required actions.
• Manage communication and coordination with the contractor during RSA3 actions and close-out.

Document Control / CDE Workflow

• Manage technical documentation through the agreed workflow and approvals process.
• Ensure records are complete, traceable, and auditable (responses, reports, approvals, and close-out evidence).

Key deliverables

• Written responses to RFIs and Site Field Change Requests
• Material acceptance responses/records
• RSA3 Brief
• RSA3 Designer's Response
• RSA3 report processing and documentation maintained in the CDE to workflow requirements

Skills & experience (typical)

• Strong highways engineering background, ideally in major infrastructure delivery/support.
• Proven experience in construction phase support (RFIs, changes, contractor liaison).
• Experience managing Road Safety Audits, ideally Stage 3, including Designer's Responses.
• Confident stakeholder management with client bodies and highway authorities.
• Strong written communication and document/workflow discipline in a CDE environment.