County Engineering Manager

United Utilities; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Pension scheme with up to 14% employer

Car cash allowance

Bonus scheme

Healthcare plan

Employee discounts

MyGym discounts

EVolve Car Scheme

Employee Assistance Plan

Enhanced parental leave

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking an experienced County Engineering Manager to provide technical leadership across a large and complex operational asset base at Davyhulme WWTW, with hybrid working and travel across the North West. You will guide refurbishment, replacement and resilience strategies for critical infrastructure.

The role emphasizes evaluating complex problems, providing pragmatic recommendations, and leading a team of technical professionals to ensure safe, reliable asset performance.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer with professional experience in complex infrastructure, asset environments.
• Full UK driving license required to travel across the region.
• Proven leadership abilities and experience guiding technical teams.
• Experience evaluating engineering problems, risks and technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across a broad operational asset base.
• Assess asset condition, risks, refurbishment and replacement options.
• Explore new technologies and innovative engineering approaches.
• Lead, develop and support a small team of technical professionals.
• Communicate clear engineering direction during complex operations or incidents.

Skills

Chartered Engineer

UK Driving Licence

Leadership

Risk assessment

Job description

Job number UU06395 Country United Kingdom Region Manchester Location name Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD Posting End Date 28/09/2026 Band 3 Role Type Permanent Salary Competitive Salary

Be at the heart of solving some of our most complex engineering challenges

The Role

We’re looking for an experienced County Engineering Manager to provide technical leadership across a diverse and complex operational asset base.

This is a broad engineering role where no two challenges will necessarily look the same. From determining the best approach to replacing or refurbishing critical assets, through to assessing engineering risk, exploring new technologies and responding to operational incidents, you’ll help shape engineering solutions that are practical, resilient and built for the future.

What matters is that you’re an accomplished engineer who understands complex infrastructure and asset environments, can evaluate technical challenges and options, and has the confidence to provide clear engineering direction when it matters.

What you'll be doing

You’ll provide engineering expertise and leadership across a wide range of operational and asset-related challenges, working closely with operational teams, technical specialists and delivery colleagues.

A key part of the role will be understanding complex engineering problems and determining the most appropriate way forward. You’ll assess asset condition and risk, consider refurbishment and replacement options, and ensure proposed solutions are appropriately future-proofed.

You’ll explore emerging technologies, innovation and alternative engineering approaches, helping us identify opportunities to improve the resilience, performance and long-term management of our assets.

When operational incidents occur, you’ll also be a key source of engineering expertise – quickly getting to the heart of the issue, assessing risk and helping teams develop safe, effective solutions.

Alongside your technical responsibilities, you’ll lead a small team of technical professionals, creating an environment where expertise is valued, people are supported and high standards are maintained.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone with:

• A strong engineering background, supported by Chartered Engineer status and equivalent professional experience.
• A full UK driving license as travel across the region will be required.
• Significant experience working within complex engineering, infrastructure or asset-intensive environments.
• Experience assessing engineering problems, risks and potential technical solutions.
• A strong understanding of asset lifecycle considerations, including refurbishment, replacement and future-proofing.
• The ability to evaluate complex information and provide clear, pragmatic engineering recommendations.
• Experience working collaboratively with operational, technical and delivery teams.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience leading, developing or providing technical direction to others.
• The confidence and technical credibility to support decision‑making during complex operational situations or incidents.
• An interest in innovation, emerging technologies and identifying better ways of solving engineering challenges.

Additional Information

This is a hybrid role based from Davyhulme WWTW, with travel to operational sites and locations across the North West as required.

The role also participates in a standby rota, typically involving approximately two to three days per month.

If you’re an experienced engineer who enjoys getting under the skin of complex problems, challenging conventional thinking and developing solutions that make infrastructure safer, stronger and more resilient, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Car cash allowance - £5,000
• Up to 20% performance‑related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company‑funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

About Us

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Onsite
Job Location - Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works, Trafford Way, Urmston, Manchester, M17 8DD
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours -

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long‑term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.