Job Title: Principal Civil Engineer
Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 (dependent on experience)
Location: Exeter, Manchester, Croydon
Type: Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid working
About the Role:
This is a Principal Civil Engineer position within a multidisciplinary water sector team delivering complex infrastructure design projects across the UK. You will take a leading role in managing technical delivery across optioneering, outline, and detailed design stages, ensuring high-quality outputs that meet client and regulatory standards.
You will also support and guide a team of engineers and technicians while working closely with major UK water utilities and contractor partners on large-scale infrastructure schemes.
About the client:
Our client is a long-established multidisciplinary consultancy operating across the built and natural environment. They deliver engineering and advisory services across infrastructure, buildings, and regeneration, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, technical excellence, and long-term environmental impact.
Their work supports major UK water companies and infrastructure programmes, contributing to nationally significant environmental and engineering outcomes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead technical delivery of civil engineering design across water sector projects
- Oversee optioneering, outline, and detailed design activities
- Ensure all work meets relevant standards, client expectations, and quality assurance requirements
- Manage and coordinate project plans, schedules, and deliverables
- Engage directly with clients, contractors, and third parties
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians
- Promote health, safety, welfare, and environmental best practice across all work
- Support multidisciplinary collaboration across design teams
What Our Client is Looking For:
- Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent experience
- Significant post-graduate experience in civil engineering design
- Experience within the UK water sector (strong preference)
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership
- Strong leadership and communication skills
- Experience managing or supporting project teams
- Strong understanding of CAD/Revit and BIM environments
- Knowledge of sustainable engineering practices
- Experience with hydraulic calculations and design processes
- Full UK driving licence
What Our Client Offers:
- Competitive salary (£60,000 – £70,000) and benefits package
- Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
- Opportunity to lead major UK infrastructure projects
- Strong support for professional development and chartership progression
- Collaborative and technically strong team environment
- Inclusive culture with wellbeing focus
- Long-term career progression within a growing consultancy
Eligibility:
- Must have the right to work in the UK
Opportunity for Growth:
This role offers a clear pathway into senior leadership within the infrastructure and water sector, with scope to influence technical direction, mentor developing engineers, and take ownership of high-profile UK projects.
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