Lead Operations Engineer

Natural Resources Wales; Filton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental environmental agency in England is seeking a Lead Operations Engineer for its Mid Wales team. The successful candidate will lead technical planning and health & safety for flood risk management assets, ensuring community safety against flooding. The role involves project management, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with regulations. A collaborative environment supports professional growth while contributing to impactful projects. The position allows for hybrid working arrangements, adapting to organizational needs.

Benefits

Flexible working opportunities

Professional development support

Qualifications

• Experience in civil engineering projects, especially in flood risk management.
• Proven ability to lead and manage projects effectively.
• Strong understanding of health and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production of the annual flood risk asset maintenance programme.
• React to failing assets and plan repairs.
• Oversee flood incident response and contingency planning.
• Manage small to medium scale engineering projects.
• Participate in NRW's incident response duty roster.

Skills

Technical planning

Flood risk management

Health & safety compliance

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Natural Resources Wales is seeking a Lead Operations Engineer to join our Mid Wales Integrated Engineering team. As Lead Operations Engineer, you'll take charge of technical planning and health & safety for the maintenance of flood risk management assets, ensuring communities remain safe and resilient against flooding. From embankments and reservoirs to drainage systems, your work will directly protect vital infrastructure and support wider environmental wellbeing. In this role, you will provide subject matter expertise in flood risk management, reservoir safety, and drainage asset maintenance; lead on technical planning and health & safety, embedding best practice across all projects. You will also deliver and oversee projects that protect critical assets, ensuring compliance with NRW systems and procedures; and work closely with the team leader and colleagues, offering guidance and support to drive effective delivery. We’re a large, collaborative team with a broad remit, working together to deliver exceptional asset management and engineering excellence. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to share knowledge, support colleagues, and develop your own expertise, all while contributing to projects that make a real difference. Join us and be part of a forward‑thinking team that values collaboration, professional growth, and impact. As an organisation we support flexible working. You will be contracted to an NRW office within the place base / location above and a suitable hybrid working pattern will be agreed on appointment. Any regular face‑to‑face meetings or training will be planned in advance.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the production of the annual flood risk asset maintenance programme.
• React to failing assets, plan the work into the annual programme or plan for repairs.
• Lead on the production and on‑going review of flood incident response.
• Contingency and operating plans, ensuring regular incident response exercises are undertaken.
• Sponsor and/or undertake the role of Project Manager for small to medium scale civil engineering projects identified by Operations and Asset Performance providing expert opinion and advice on engineering and technical issues.
• Undertake financial reporting, to enable accurate estimating of programmed cost targets and budgets.
• Work with procurement to establish Contractor Frameworks, carry out tenders and evaluations.
• Provide advice and assist with the integration of Reservoir Safety maintenance, Internal Drainage District (IDD) activities and asset maintenance programmes.
• Undertake the formal roles of Client and, or Designer/Principal Designer to comply with the Construction Design & Management (CDM) Regulations.
• Lead on the development and input into IT systems such as AMX to improve efficiency of NRW. Act as a point of contact and super user for these systems.
• Support H&S best practice by actively promoting awareness and ensuring the provision of safe working practices to comply with NRW policy and standards.
• Participate in cross‑team working and stakeholder engagement to establish partnerships in the delivery of NRW flood risk objectives.
• Participate in the NRW's incident response duty roster.
• Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• Be committed to Natural Resources Wales Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• Be committed to your own development through the effective use of your personal development plan (known as Sgwrs).
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.