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Associate Civil Engineer - Job Opportunity at Carrington West

Liverpool, GB
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 12, 2025
On-site
£70,000 - £80,000 per year

Benefits

Employee Ownership Trust structure ensuring shared business success and financial participation in company growth
Comprehensive professional development programs designed to help employees reach their full potential with mentoring and training opportunities
Exposure to high-profile UK construction projects providing valuable experience and portfolio enhancement
Career progression support within a company known for innovative design solutions and market leadership

Key Responsibilities

Lead the strategic scoping, preparation and delivery of civil engineering solutions for small to medium-sized projects, directly impacting project success and client satisfaction
Drive business development through preparation of competitive proposals, project schedules and fee structures that secure new contracts and revenue streams
Manage complex technical deliverables including drainage/hydraulic modeling, highway design, and ground analysis that form the foundation of major infrastructure projects
Provide expert witness testimony and technical leadership that protects company interests and establishes market credibility
Oversee financial performance including budget management and profitability optimization across multiple project portfolios

Requirements

Education

Bachelor/Masters' level degree (Civil Engineering)

Experience

10 years design experience in civil engineering

Required Skills

drainage/hydraulic modelling highway design S278/S38 pavement design ground analysis and remediation Project Management/Contract Administration/Cost Analysis Expert Witness Experience experience in various project design phases (e.g. Concept / Tender / Detailed / Construction) different contractual environments (e.g. D&B, Novation, traditional) ability to effectively communicate, inspire and influence your team or clients managing financial targets, including budgets and profitability

Certifications

Chartered Engineer Status (Civil/Structural/CIWEM) Previous role as Delegated Engineer/Supervising Civil Engineer or demonstrate a willingness to undertake this role
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The UK civil engineering sector is experiencing significant growth driven by government infrastructure investment programs including HS2, Northern Powerhouse initiatives, and post-pandemic economic recovery projects. This creates sustained demand for experienced civil engineers capable of managing complex multi-disciplinary projects. Digital transformation in civil engineering is accelerating adoption of BIM, AI-powered design tools, and data analytics for infrastructure optimization. Engineers with traditional technical skills plus digital competency are increasingly valuable in the market. Sustainability requirements are reshaping civil engineering practice, with carbon reduction targets, sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), and circular economy principles becoming mandatory considerations in all major projects. The shift toward Employee Ownership Trusts in professional services reflects industry recognition that talent retention and employee engagement are critical competitive advantages in a skills-shortage market.

Salary Evaluation

The £70-80k salary range is competitive for Associate level civil engineers in Liverpool, sitting approximately 10-15% above regional averages due to the specialized requirements including expert witness experience and chartered status. This reflects the premium for senior technical roles in employee-owned firms.

Role Significance

Associates typically lead teams of 3-8 engineers and technicians while reporting to Principal level staff. The role involves coordinating with multidisciplinary teams including structural, environmental, and transportation specialists across concurrent projects.
This Associate level position represents a senior technical role with significant autonomous responsibility for project delivery and business development. The role bridges technical expertise with commercial acumen, positioning the holder as a key contributor to firm profitability and growth.

Key Projects

Mixed-use development projects requiring comprehensive civil engineering design including site infrastructure, drainage systems, and highway improvements Commercial and residential developments involving Section 278/Section 38 highway works and adoption procedures Industrial facility projects requiring ground remediation, pavement design for heavy loading, and complex drainage solutions Expert witness assignments for construction disputes, technical failures, and professional negligence cases requiring detailed technical analysis and courtroom testimony

Success Factors

Technical mastery across multiple civil engineering disciplines combined with practical project delivery experience enables effective problem-solving and client confidence building. Strong commercial awareness and financial management skills are essential for maintaining project profitability while delivering quality outcomes in competitive market conditions. Communication and leadership capabilities that inspire team confidence and build lasting client relationships directly correlate with career advancement and business development success. Adaptability to evolving regulatory requirements, sustainability standards, and digital tools ensures continued relevance and competitive advantage in a rapidly changing industry landscape. Professional network development within the legal, insurance, and construction communities creates opportunities for expert witness work and high-value project referrals.

Market Demand

High demand exists for experienced civil engineers with the specific combination of technical expertise, project management capabilities, and expert witness experience. The 10-year experience requirement with chartered status represents a relatively small talent pool, giving qualified candidates significant negotiating power.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Chartered Engineer status represents the gold standard for professional competency and is essential for sign-off authority on major projects, expert witness credibility, and senior role progression within the industry. Expert witness experience is highly specialized and commands premium rates, typically 3-5 times standard consulting fees, while building professional reputation and legal sector networks that generate ongoing high-value opportunities. Highway design expertise including S278/S38 procedures is fundamental to most development projects and represents specialized knowledge of adoption standards and local authority interfaces that creates significant commercial value. Financial management and commercial awareness skills directly impact project profitability and business sustainability, distinguishing technical experts who can contribute to firm growth from those limited to delivery roles.

Beneficial Skills

Advanced hydraulic modeling capabilities using industry-standard software like Microdrainage, InfoWorks, or similar platforms enhance technical credibility and project efficiency in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Building Information Modeling (BIM) proficiency is becoming standard expectation for major projects and demonstrates adaptability to digital transformation trends reshaping the construction industry. Sustainability and environmental assessment skills align with government policy directions and client expectations for carbon reduction and environmental protection in all major developments. Business development and proposal writing capabilities accelerate career progression by demonstrating commercial acumen and contributing directly to firm growth and market expansion.

Unique Aspects

The specific requirement for expert witness experience distinguishes this role from typical civil engineering positions, indicating involvement in high-stakes legal proceedings and forensic analysis work that commands premium fees.
The Employee Ownership Trust structure is relatively uncommon in civil engineering consultancies, suggesting a progressive approach to employee engagement and profit-sharing that may offer superior long-term financial benefits.
The combination of traditional civil engineering skills with modern project management and commercial acumen reflects the evolution of senior engineering roles toward business-focused technical leadership.
The emphasis on diverse contractual environments (D&B, Novation, traditional) indicates exposure to sophisticated procurement methods and complex risk allocation scenarios typical of major infrastructure projects.

Career Growth

Progression to Principal level typically occurs within 3-5 years for high-performing Associates, with Director-level positions achievable within 7-10 years depending on business development success and technical specialization depth.

Potential Next Roles

Principal Civil Engineer with expanded business development responsibilities and larger project portfolios Associate Director positions combining technical leadership with strategic planning and major client relationship management Expert Witness Specialist focusing on forensic engineering and dispute resolution with premium fee structures Technical Director roles in larger consultancies or contractor organizations seeking senior design leadership

Company Overview

Carrington West

Carrington West operates as a specialized recruitment consultancy serving the highways, transport, and infrastructure sectors with particular strength in civil engineering placements. Their Employee Ownership Trust structure and focus on professional development suggests a progressive approach to talent management and employee engagement.

The company's claim to be the fastest-growing highways and transport recruitment division indicates strong market presence and industry connections. Their 100+ years combined team experience suggests deep sector knowledge and established client relationships.
Based on their UK-wide recruitment scope and specific mention of Liverpool opportunities, Carrington West appears to have national reach with strong regional networks across major infrastructure markets throughout Britain.
The Employee Ownership Trust structure typically fosters collaborative decision-making, shared financial success, and long-term employee commitment. Combined with stated focus on employee development, this suggests a supportive environment for professional growth and technical advancement.
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