Technical Director - Clean Water Process Engineering

Overview

Shape the Future of our cities and environments. The Design & Advanced Technology (D&AT) Practice of AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Technical Director for Clean Water Process to join our team in the UK. We are looking for an energetic and experienced Clean Water Process Engineer that can both lead as a technical expert in water treatment and drive forward business results.

AtkinsRéalis specialises in all aspects of process engineering within the Water Sector, including water, wastewater and bioresources in the UK and internationally. Process engineering project opportunities also extend to other sectors such as nuclear and defence. We are committed to providing industry‑leading engineering solutions from feasibility to commissioning, with value added through client‑side support and construction phases.

As a key member of our technical leadership team, you will play a vital role in shaping and delivering transformational programmes of critical UK infrastructure for our Water market clients – clients like Thames Water, Anglian Water, Environment Agency, Welsh Water, United Utilities, Scottish Water, and more. You will be part of, and lead, talented multi‑disciplinary teams delivering cutting‑edge, iconic projects across the water sector at home (UK) and abroad. Projects include desalination and disinfection for NEOM, water treatment for Sizewell C, and water treatment from strategic reservoirs being planned across the UK.

By providing technical leadership across the organisation, you will drive results by contributing to functional strategy, influencing senior stakeholders, and leading within process groups and multidisciplinary project teams to deliver measurable outcomes. In this role, you will set direction for complex, high‑impact projects and initiatives, anticipate business and regulatory challenges or changes, and develop innovative solutions that move the business forward.

Being a Technical Director with us involves UK‑wide travel. We offer hybrid working with 3 days per week travel/office based. This position can be based at any of our main locations: Epsom, London, Bristol, Exeter, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, or Glasgow. It can also be based in our other offices but may require additional travel to the main locations as needed: Peterborough, Cambridge, Cardiff, Swansea, Derby, Leeds, Belfast, Edinburgh.

Responsibilities

As a Clean Water Process Technical Director in the D&AT Practice, you will have the following responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership within the discipline for the national D&AT practice.
• Influence D&AT practice‑wide initiatives and recommend best practices to improve internal processes and services.
• Serve as a recognised expert and technical authority in Clean Water Process Engineering across the D&AT Practice and the wider AtkinsRéalis business.
• Provide visible representation of your and AtkinsRéalis' Clean Water Process Engineering technical expertise to our current and prospective clients.
• Collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, including internal and external clients, operational staff, project teams, and external stakeholders.
• Recommend and drive improvements to processes, services, and technical practices while ensuring robust engineering governance is consistently upheld.
• Oversee technical input into bid proposals, defining the delivery strategy and working with cross‑functional teams to prepare high‑quality, compliant, competitive submissions.
• Proactively identify opportunities for cross‑selling and business growth, using commercial insight to strengthen and expand client relationships and sell our value proposition to clients.
• Grow, develop, and manage the Clean Water Process engineering capability within the national practice, supporting talent development and succession planning.
• Anticipate emerging business, regulatory, and technology challenges, identifying risks and opportunities early and advising senior leadership.
• Provide strategic oversight across multiple complex, multidisciplinary projects, ensuring technical excellence, safe delivery, and alignment with client and practice objectives.
• Work independently even in the most challenging situations. Act as the point of escalation for the most complex technical matters and exercise personal judgement to find solutions.

Qualifications and Skills

• A degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent (e.g. Environmental, Water Engineering, etc.).
• Chartered Engineer (preferably IChemE or CIWEM).
• Extensive experience in progressively senior technical roles, including significant leadership of complex, high‑risk, cross‑disciplinary projects and programmes.
• Nationally or internationally recognised subject matter expertise in clean water treatment process and principles – conventional and advanced treatment technologies. Drinking water expertise is essential.
• Experience in the UK Water market is essential.
• Expert knowledge of current design codes and standards as well as industry best practices, including CDM Regulations.
• Extensive experience designing and delivering projects with adherence to UK safety and environmental regulations, process safety techniques (e.g. HAZOP), knowledge of capital and operational costs, risk assessments, and whole‑life carbon assessments.
• Commercially astute, with experience shaping winning proposals and driving practice and business growth.
• Champion continuous improvement, driving enhancements to processes, services, technical standards, and innovation across the practice.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas with clarity, anticipate challenges, persuade senior stakeholders to adopt new perspectives, and navigate diverse, international and cross-cultural delivery.
• Comprehensive knowledge in leading treatment process design and integrating elements within existing or new treatment processes across all design phases, including construction.
• Experienced in identifying and promoting innovative solutions, challenging the status quo.
• Proactive, highly motivated mindset with a collaborative approach to drive teamwork and shared success across projects and the wider AtkinsRéalis D&AT practice.
• Meet some but not all of the criteria? We still want to hear from you. Submit your CV with a cover letter letting us know your motivation for applying and how your skills and experience align with the role.

Rewards & Benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. Combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We are committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Additional Information

Security clearance This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

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