Principal Engineer – Capital Programmes
Louth
£81,156 – £90,279 + Excellent Pension + 9 Day Fortnight + Strong Benefits Package + Hybrid working
Are you a senior Civil Engineer or Programme Manager looking for a role where you can truly shape long‑term infrastructure and leave a lasting legacy? Do you want the autonomy to lead, influence and deliver major engineering programmes that directly protect communities and critical environments? This is a rare opportunity to step into a high‑impact leadership role within a well‑established organisation responsible for vital water management and flood resilience infrastructure. Unlike large corporates, you won’t be just another layer of management – you’ll be a key decision‑maker with real visibility and influence, shaping outcomes for decades to come.
You’ll join a forward‑thinking organisation managing essential infrastructure across a wide area, where your work will directly impact homes, businesses and communities – making it a genuinely meaningful, purpose‑driven role.
The Principal Engineer will take ownership of a long‑term capital programme, leading projects from concept through to completion while shaping future investment plans and supporting board‑level decision making. You’ll oversee a portfolio of 90+ pumping stations, manage a pipeline of refurbishment and upgrade works and coordinate multidisciplinary teams across civil, mechanical, electrical and modelling functions to deliver a structured, efficient programme of works.
The ideal candidate will be a strong leader and experienced project or programme manager, with a background in civil engineering environments such as buildings, water or infrastructure. You’ll be confident managing multiple projects, bringing teams together and communicating effectively with both technical specialists and senior stakeholders. This role suits someone who is hands‑on in their approach, comfortable challenging ideas, supporting delivery and driving projects forward rather than operating at a purely strategic, removed level.
This is an opportunity to step into a role with real autonomy, variety and long‑term impact. You’ll have the chance to shape infrastructure that protects communities and defines performance for decades to come, all within a supportive environment that offers excellent work‑life balance, strong benefits and the chance to genuinely leave a legacy.
The Role
- Lead and manage the full capital programme, from concept through to delivery
- Oversee a multidisciplinary engineering team (civil, mechanical, electrical, modelling, and project management)
- Develop and manage 5‑10 year engineering and investment plans
- Prioritise and programme works based on asset condition, risk, and operational efficiency
- Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to high technical and safety standards
- Provide technical leadership and guidance across all engineering disciplines
- Manage stakeholder relationships, including senior leadership and board‑level reporting
- Lead on programme governance, risk management, and performance reporting
- Support development of business cases, funding applications, and commercial strategies
- Balance in‑house delivery vs external consultancy and contractor engagement
- Play a key role in shaping long‑term infrastructure strategy and organisational direction
The Person
- Strong leadership background with experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams
- Proven track record delivering multiple projects or capital programmes
- Background in civil engineering (ideally buildings, water, flood risk or infrastructure environments)
- Strong project and programme management capability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills (including senior leadership/boards)
- Commercial awareness with the ability to balance cost, quality and efficiency
- Comfortable challenging, influencing and driving decisions within technical teams
- Hands‑on leadership style – willing to engage in detail where needed
- Exposure to funding, business cases or grant applications would be advantageous
We are an equal opportunities company and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.
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