Principal Civil Engineer

About the Trust

We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?

Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.

Join Our Team: Principal Engineer Opportunity ( Non Core Asset Disposal )

We’re excited to welcome a new Principal Engineer to the team . Our work spans the full asset management lifecycle, including developing technical solutions, preparing specifications and briefing documents to repair and rebuild the Trust’s infrastructure.

We’re now looking for a Principal Engineer, with a civil engineering background, to join our Non ‑ Core Asset Disposal Project Team. This team plays a critical role in reducing asset liability and exposure to risk, while enabling selective investment to support the responsible disposal or transfer of non ‑ core assets.

This role follows a 37 hour, Monday–Friday working pattern with flexible working options. The role is home ‑ based, with attendance at Trust hub locations as required for collaboration and stakeholder engagement .

Relevant Hubs: Birmingham / Gloucester / Little Venice / Newark / Ellesmere Port / Leeds

The role requires significant travel across the national waterway network. Travel patterns will be discussed at interview , but regular accessibility to the network is essential.

Role Overview

You’ll be responsible fo r provid ing professional engineering expertise to help assess asset condition , risk and value, and to identify practical strategies that enable safe and viable disposal or transfer. You’ ll implement a structured and financially disciplined approach to managing non ‑ core assets. This includes targeted capital investment, works to enable adoption, and structured dowry arrangements to facilitate transfer to third parties.

Your role is to assess risks, define technical solutions and support delivery—working closely with internal teams and external partners to progress robust, acceptable and sustainable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Investigate and develop cost ‑ effective design and construction solutions, ensuring best value and whole ‑ life cost considerations.
• Design and specify engineering solutions and, where required , act as Principal Designer and/or Designer in accordance with CDM 2015.
• Provide expert engineering analysis and advice, for solutions to infrastructure risks and improvements.
• Write briefs for the Trust’s Professional Services Consultant and manage the design process.
• Engage with the allocation of design resource, either within the Trust or through the contract supply chain
• Provide technical support to the Non ‑ Core Asset Disposal Project Team, contractors,
• Define maintenance, repair and renewal works, ensuring alignment with statutory, technical and operational requirements.
• Develop and coach colleagues to maintain capability and competence.
• Display the Trust values and behaviours at all times , ensuring that diversity and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life.

About You

You’re an experienced civil engineer with strong judgement, excellent communication skills and a commercial mindset. You’re comfortable assessing risk, balancing competing priorities and working collaboratively to enable successful asset transfer or disposal.

Skills & Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional qualification (ICE). Incorporated Engineer status will also be considered.
• Membership of a relevant professional body ( e.g. MICE ).
• Experience of civil engineering design and construction.
• Knowledge of historic infrastructure and the natural environment.
• Demonstrable experience of cross ‑ functional working and risk ‑ based decision making.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience working within diverse, multi ‑ disciplined project teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to non ‑ technical audiences.

Contact & Application

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk . We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.

What We Offer

We offer a starting salary of £ 53 ,750 - £58,750 plus £450 per month car cash allowance . Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1 .

We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.

We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.

All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.

We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day‑to‑day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.

At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception – are made by our hiring managers.

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