Drainage Engineer / Flood Risk Engineer

Solos Consultants Ltd; Swindon; On-site; GBP 76,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Solos Consultants Ltd is seeking an experienced Drainage Engineer / Flood Risk Engineer in Swindon for an initial 6-month contract. You will support statutory flood risk management, assess drainage proposals, and help deliver drainage improvement schemes across development control and highway drainage.

The role blends office work with site visits to highways, watercourses and drainage assets. Essentially you will review planning/FRA submissions, provide technical advice, manage drainage assets

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in Civil/Water Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience in drainage engineering, flood risk management or related field.
• Knowledge of drainage design, surface water management and SuDS.
• Experience assessing technical submissions and managing drainage assets.

Responsibilities

• Assess planning applications, FRA and drainage strategies against standards and policies.
• Review drainage designs and hydraulic modelling submissions for approvals.
• Provide technical advice on drainage proposals connected to highways and planning conditions.
• Investigate flooding and drainage issues and prepare technical reports.
• Support development of flood risk management policies and asset records.

Skills

Drainage engineering

Flood risk management

Technical report writing

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Degree in Civil/Water Engineering

Tools

Hydraulic modelling

Drainage asset management systems

Job description

Drainage Engineer / Flood Risk Engineer

Location: Swindon

Contract: 6 months

Pay Rate: £38.96 per hour PAYE or £51.00 per hour Umbrella

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Drainage Engineer / Flood Risk Engineer to join a local authority in Swindon on an initial 6-month contract.

You will play a key role in supporting the delivery of statutory flood risk management and highway drainage responsibilities. The role will involve assessing drainage proposals associated with planning applications, managing flood risk issues, overseeing drainage assets and supporting the design and delivery of drainage improvement schemes.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced drainage or civil engineering professional to apply their technical expertise across development control, flood risk management and highway drainage.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess planning applications, Flood Risk Assessments and drainage strategies against relevant national standards, local policies and legislation.
• Review and undertake technical approvals of drainage designs and hydraulic modelling submissions.
• Provide technical advice on drainage proposals associated with highway agreements and planning conditions.
• Investigate flooding and drainage-related issues and prepare technical reports and recommendations.
• Support the development and implementation of flood risk management policies, procedures and action plans.
• Liaise with developers, consultants, contractors, residents, elected representatives and relevant external organisations.
• Identify riparian owners and advise on their responsibilities regarding watercourses and land drainage.
• Inspect and monitor highway drainage assets, watercourses and associated structures.
• Develop and maintain drainage asset records and prioritise maintenance and improvement works using a risk-based approach.
• Assist with the preparation of designs, specifications, construction drawings and schedules for minor drainage improvement schemes.
• Support the procurement, coordination and monitoring of drainage projects and contractors.
• Ensure works comply with relevant health and safety requirements, environmental legislation and construction regulations.

Essential Requirements

• Degree-level qualification (Level 6 or above) in Civil Engineering, Flood and Coastal Engineering or a related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience in drainage engineering, flood risk management or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of drainage design, surface water management, SuDS and Flood Risk Assessments.
• Understanding of relevant legislation, standards and local authority flood risk management responsibilities.
• Experience assessing technical submissions, investigating drainage issues or managing drainage assets.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and technical report-writing skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Ability to undertake site visits and attend meetings as required.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience working within a local authority or in consultancy supporting local authority clients.
• Knowledge of Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA) responsibilities and ordinary watercourse consents.
• Experience with hydraulic modelling, drainage asset management systems and highway drainage schemes.
• Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status, or working towards professional registration.
• Relevant CSCS card and a full UK driving licence.

Contract Details

• Location: Swindon
• Duration: 6 months
• Rate: £38.96 per hour PAYE or £51.00 per hour Umbrella
• Working arrangement: Approximately 75% office-based and 25% site-based
• Working environment: A combination of office duties and outdoor site inspections, including visits to highways, construction sites and watercourses.