Setting Out Engineer

Freelance Site / Setting Out Engineer • Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire

• Duration: Long-term (Up to 2 Years)


• Rate: Competitive Day Rate (Payment via CIS or Limited Company available)


• Equipment: Option to provide own surveying kit (Robotic Total Station/GPS) and CAD software


• Client: Specialist Earthworks Subcontractor

The Opportunity Are you an autonomous, technically sharp Site Engineer who prefers running your own package without being micromanaged?

A leading specialist Earthworks subcontractor is seeking a standalone Setting Out / Site Engineer for a major motorway bypass project in Didcot. This is a rare 2-year freelance assignment offering excellent stability and the choice of CIS or Limited Company payment structures.

As the sole engineer on this package, you will have total ownership of your section, working closely with the project management and machine operations teams.

Key Responsibilities You will be the technical lead for your package, responsible for:

• Setting Out & Surveys: Executing precise setting out for bulk earthworks, deep drainage installation, and initial road construction layers.


• Machine Control: Setting up, calibrating, and troubleshooting 3D machine control systems (e.g., Topcon, Trimble, or Leica) on heavy plant.


• Data Management: Uploading and downloading design data, extracting information from AutoCAD, and managing digital terrain models (DTMs).


• Quality & As-Builts: Conducting as-built surveys, maintaining quality assurance records, and managing volume calculations for earthworks cut/fill.

About You This role requires a true self-starter who can hit the ground running from day one. To be successful, you must have:

• Own Equipment (Optional): Provision of your own calibrated surveying equipment (Robotic Total Station / GPS) and a laptop with AutoCAD software.


• Earthworks Expertise: Proven experience in bulk earthworks, machine control setup, drainage, and road construction on major infrastructure or bypass schemes.


• Autonomy: The confidence to act as the only engineer on your package-resolving issues on-site independently.


• Communication: Exceptional communication skills to collaborate effectively with plant operators, site foremen, and the main contractor.


• Qualifications: Valid CSCS card (White/Gold/Black) and a degree or HND/HNC in Civil Engineering (or equivalent proven field experience).

If you are interested, please hit apply!

Randstad CPE values diversity and promotes equality. No terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate against any of the protected characteristics that fall under the Equality Act 2010. We encourage and welcome applications from all sections of society and are more than happy to discuss reasonable adjustments and/or additional arrangements as required to support your application.

Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

For the purposes of the Conduct Regulations 2003, when advertising permanent vacancies we are acting as an Employment Agency, and when advertising temporary/contract vacancies we are acting as an Employment Business.

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