Job Description

Principal Civil Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Principal Civil Engineer to join a multidisciplinary engineering team delivering projects within the regulated water sector.

This role is suited to a Chartered Civil Engineer with a strong technical design background who enjoys solving complex engineering challenges, providing technical leadership, and supporting the development of engineering teams. The successful candidate will lead civil engineering design activities across a diverse portfolio of water and wastewater projects while helping to maintain high standards of technical delivery, governance, and safety.

Working closely with senior engineering and project leadership teams, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality engineering solutions, supporting technical assurance processes, and driving consistency across multiple project frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Design Delivery & Technical Assurance

Lead and coordinate civil engineering design activities across a range of projects.

Ensure design deliverables meet applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and client requirements.

Review and approve technical documentation, reports, specifications, calculations, and design risk assessments.

Develop practical and efficient engineering solutions based on project requirements and site constraints.

Provide technical guidance and support to engineers, technicians, and graduate engineers.

Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards, specifications, and best practice guidance.

Support design reviews and technical assurance activities throughout project lifecycles.

Ensure design changes are effectively managed and documented.

Participate in technical meetings and present engineering solutions to project stakeholders.

Technical Leadership & Governance

Provide technical leadership for the civil engineering discipline.

Maintain and promote engineering standards, procedures, and best practices.

Support competency development and mentoring of engineering staff.

Identify training and professional development requirements within the team.

Collaborate with other engineering disciplines to manage technical interfaces and project integration.

Support tendering activities, including estimating design effort and resource requirements.

Contribute to resource planning and forecasting activities.

Promote safety-by-design principles and support compliance with relevant health and safety legislation.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives across engineering and design processes.

Requirements

Essential

Degree or HND in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.

Chartered Engineer status (or working towards chartership with significant relevant experience).

Extensive experience delivering civil engineering design within the water sector.

Strong understanding of water and wastewater infrastructure and treatment systems.

Experience delivering both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.

Experience across outline and detailed design phases.

Knowledge of hydraulic calculations and civil engineering design principles.

Understanding of construction methods, engineering materials, and drawing standards.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Full UK driving licence.

Desirable

Previous experience in a Principal Engineer, Technical Authority, or Discipline Lead position.

Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers.

Familiarity with multiple water industry standards and specifications.

Experience undertaking independent design checking and technical assurance activities.

Knowledge of BIM and common data environment (CDE) processes.

Experience supporting recruitment, competency frameworks, or engineering team development.

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior civil engineer looking to take a leading technical role within a growing engineering environment, contributing to the successful delivery of major water industry projects while influencing engineering standards and best practice