Design - Principal Civil Engineer

Avove; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car or cash allowance

Bonus scheme

Enhanced annual leave

Family-friendly policies

Job summary

Avove is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to join our UK Design team to lead major water and wastewater projects. The role focuses on delivering high-quality design solutions from concept through delivery, while mentoring junior staff and ensuring client satisfaction.

You will oversee technical leadership, drive cost-effective outcomes, and ensure compliance with health, safety and CDM regulations across projects, under a flexible but office-based arrangement in the UK.

Qualifications

• Strong technical experience in water and wastewater design.
• Proven ability to lead design teams and deliver complex projects.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver innovative, cost-effective design solutions meeting requirements.
• Lead and mentor engineers, technicians and graduates.
• Ensure design delivery meets programme, budget and client needs.
• Prepare and review engineering designs, documents, cost estimates and calculations.

Skills

Water/wastewater design

AutoCAD

MS Office

Technical leadership

Regulatory coordination

CDM Regulations

Health & safety

Engineering degree

Professional qualification

Education

Engineering degree

Professional qualification

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

We’re looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our Design team here at Avove.

Location: Ideally based in Brighouse, although we’ll also consider applicants who can comfortably commute to one of our regional offices.

Salary: £59,000 - £80,000 Depending on experience

Benefits: Company car or cash allowance, bonus scheme, enhanced annual leave and a range of family-friendly policies

We’re looking for experienced Principal Engineers to join our UK Design team and play a key role in delivering larger and more complex projects.

You’ll provide project and technical leadership, driving high-quality design solutions from concept through to delivery. Alongside your technical responsibilities, you’ll support and mentor junior and less experienced colleagues, helping develop the strength and capability of the wider team while ensuring projects meet programme, budget and client requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver innovative, cost-effective design solutions that meet technical, project and client requirements.
• Lead and support members of the engineering team, including Engineers, Senior Engineers, Technicians, Assistant Engineers and Graduates.
• Maintain high technical standards throughout design delivery, ensuring outputs are consistent with the project brief and requirements.
• Progress projects through preliminary and detailed design, with a strong focus on client requirements, quality and innovation.
• Prepare, review and approve engineering designs, technical documents, cost estimates and calculations, as well as overseeing the production of drawings.
• Ensure compliance with Avove’s IMS, relevant health, safety and environmental legislation, and the CDM Regulations.
• Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with clients throughout project delivery.
• Support contract preparation alongside project planning and programming activities.
• Contribute to the preparation of bids and tenders, as well as supporting the successful delivery of services across other contracts.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa process. Applicants must therefore have, and maintain, an alternative right to work for the duration of employment.

• Skills and Experience required
• Strong technical experience in the design of water and wastewater infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. We welcome applicants from a range of relevant engineering disciplines, including Civil, MEICA and Process Engineering.
• Confident using Microsoft Office, with a working knowledge of relevant engineering design software such as AutoCAD.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise technical reports and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Proven ability to lead and work collaboratively within a team, with a focused approach to meeting project requirements and deadlines.
• A client-focused approach, with a commitment to delivering a high-quality service.
• Self-motivated, with a proactive approach to continuous improvement and delivering positive outcomes.
• A strong commitment to health and safety, promoting good practice throughout design and project delivery.
• A relevant engineering degree or equivalent qualification, ideally supported by an appropriate professional qualification. We also welcome applications from candidates who may not meet all the qualification criteria but can demonstrate strong, relevant industry experience.
• Confidence leading technical discussions with regulators, clients and other key stakeholders on geotechnical matters.
• Experience coordinating and managing the approvals, consents and permits required to support project delivery.
• Good working knowledge of current health and safety legislation and the CDM Regulations.

What’s in it for you?

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company car or cash allowance
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Private GP Helpline & Health Cash Plan
• Avove Discount Scheme
• Family friendly policies
• A selection of lifestyle benefit options
• Financial wellbeing programme
• Employee assistance programme for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues
• We love to give back so we offer you volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving where we will boost your fundraising.

Why join Avove?

At Avove, we’re proud to create an environment where people can build meaningful careers, develop their skills and feel supported to reach their full potential. We invest in training and development, provide opportunities to grow, and are committed to a workplace where safety, wellbeing and collaboration are at the heart of everything we do. With a strong focus on supporting our people and their families through a broad range of benefits, Avove is a place where you can feel valued, make a real impact and take the next step in your career with confidence.

About Avove

Avove is a leading infrastructure services provider, delivering critical utility and energy solutions across the UK. With a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, we specialise in the design, maintenance, and renewal of essential infrastructure for water, energy, and telecoms networks. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we are committed to long-term investment in training, development, and modern equipment to support our teams in delivering high-quality, reliable services for our clients and communities.

We are an equal opportunities employer

At the heart of what we do is a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate what makes each of us unique and are building a workplace where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to be their authentic selves. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the application or interview process, please let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss how we can support you.