Principal Civil Engineer

ESL UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Company Pension

23 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays

Cycle to Work scheme

Free gym access

Job summary

A leading civil engineering firm in Manchester is seeking an experienced Principal Civil Engineer to lead technical roles within the water sector. The candidate will oversee civil engineering design, ensure compliance with safety and quality, and mentor junior engineers. Offering competitive salary, pension, and support for professional development, this position also allows for hybrid working arrangements, making it suitable for experienced professionals valuing flexibility.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ design experience within the regulated water industry.
• Experience producing hydraulic calculations and hydraulic profiles.
• Strong understanding of water and wastewater engineering systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil engineering design across projects.
• Ensure design deliverables meet safety and quality standards.
• Communicate design solutions clearly to clients and project teams.

Skills

Design experience

Knowledge of water industry design

Communication skills

IT and digital design capability

Leadership

Education

Degree or HND in Civil Engineering

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Principal Civil Engineer to take a leading technical role within our multidisciplinary design team in the water sector.

This position is suited to a Chartered Engineer withstrong designexperience who enjoys solving complex engineering problems, guiding designteamsand ensuringhigh standardsof technical delivery.

You will lead civil engineering design across projects, mentor engineers atdifferent stagesof their careers and provide technical leadership to ensure designs are safe,compliantand efficiently delivered.

Working closely with our Design Manager and Engineering Manager, you will play a key role in ensuring our projects are delivered to high professional and technical standards.

The Role

As Principal Civil Engineer, you will take ownership of the civil engineering design input across a range of water sector projects.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring design deliverables meet safety,qualityand regulatory requirements
• Reviewing and approving design deliverables, design risk assessments (DRAs),reportsand technical specifications
• Developing efficient and practical engineering solutions based on scopes, sitevisitsand client requirements
• Communicating design solutions clearly to clients and project teams
• Directing and supporting engineers, CADtechniciansand graduates
• Guiding design work to ensure compliance with technical standards, professionalguidanceand water company specifications
• Ensuring design changes are properly implemented and recorded within project documentation
• Working within established design processes and procedures tomaintainquality and consistency
• Estimating design hours and supporting project planning
• Attending and presenting engineering solutions at design reviews, ALM and KM meetings
• Reviewing and interpreting technical standards,proceduresand updates
• Undertaking the role of Professional Head for discipline and Responsible Engineer/CRE for specific projects
• Providing key technical guidance for both projects and tenders
• Supporting the continuous improvement of engineering standards and design practices

We are looking for an experienced civil engineer with strong knowledge of water industry design anda track recordof leading engineering solutions.

Essential

• 10+ years’ design experience within the regulated water industry
• Degree or HND in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
• Chartered Engineer status
• Experience producing hydraulic calculations and hydraulic profiles
• Strong understanding of water and wastewater engineering systems
• Experience delivering both infrastructure and non-infrastructure designs
• Experience working on outline and detailed design stages
• Knowledge of construction methods,materialsand engineering drawing practices
• Strong IT and digital design capability
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Desirable

• Experience acting as Responsible Engineer or CRE on engineering projects
• Experience supporting technical development of junior engineers

Location & Working Arrangements

Our team is ideally basedfromour Manchester office, and we encourage regular collaboration in person where possible. However, we recognise that experienced engineers often value flexibility, and we are open to hybrid or remote working arrangements for the right candidate.

Our office islocatedclose to Old Trafford, with free on-site parking, good public transport links including bus and tram stops within a 10-minute walk, and a range of cafés, pubs,restaurantsand shopsnearby.

Ourbuilding also offers free access to a fully equipped gym, with showers, changing facilities, hairdryers,towelsand toiletries provided, making it easy to fit exercise around the working day.

Benefits & Development

From the moment you join us, your wellbeing and career aspirations will be supportedby;

• Competitive Salary
• Company Pension
• Professional Membership&Chartership mentoring and support for engineers working towards professional accreditation
• Regular Line Management engagement and appraisal to support with your career progression
• 23 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Additionalannual leave after two years’ service
• Optiontopurchaseadditionalannual leave
• Regular CPD opportunities, including lunch-and-learn sessions with industry specialists
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free fruit in the office
• Monthly team brunches and quarterly social events

For contractors, we are also able to offer engagements outside IR35.