Principal Civil Engineer (Water)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Coventry; On-site; Full time

Job description

Job Description

Our Regulated Water Asset Design team serves the municipal water sector both in the UK and internationally. We hold long‑term framework agreements directly with water companies such as Severn Trent Water and Southwest Water, and excellent trading agreements with blue‑chip contractors like Costain and Galliford Try. We deliver a full range of design services across wastewater treatment, water treatment, sewerage, and water network schemes.

Due to a significant increase in the demand for our services, we are actively recruiting Senior Civil Engineers and Principal Civil Engineers to help us service the AMP8 water industry capital investment programme. If you have relevant water industry design experience, we can offer you tailored experience to fulfil your career ambitions. Equally, if you are working in a different engineering sector, we can also offer mentoring programmes and training to support you in the transition to the water sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership for all aspects of project delivery including health & safety, technical, quality, schedule, and budget
• Manage multi‑disciplinary teams
• Shape the delivery of our services and identify opportunities to deliver complementary services from the wider WSP business in the UK and overseas
• Build relationships with our clients to ensure that our services deliver project outcomes and customer satisfaction
• Contribute to the identification and delivery of innovative approaches, new services and digital products
• Contribute to the implementation of our Future Ready and Net Zero programme
• Act as an ambassador for best practice within the Asset Design team and on client‑sponsored initiatives
• Undertake bid preparation, resource and budget development
• Line‑manage and support the professional development of graduate engineers and degree apprentices
• Contribute to recruitment and growth of the civil engineering team
• Continue your career journey through the ongoing development of your technical, managerial and leadership skills

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate

• A degree in Civil Engineering
• Chartered status, or significant progression towards membership of the ICE or CIWEM
• Experience in managing engineering design teams comprising civil engineers and other supporting disciplines
• Experience in delivery of projects to an identified budget and schedule
• Acted in a checking or technical approval role on linear civil engineering infrastructure projects, or industrial/process related design
• Experience in mentoring or coaching junior civil engineering staff to develop their technical skills and professional development
• Client‑facing experience
• Good presentation, written, and verbal communication skills

What’s In It For You?

Work‑life balance – our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, alongside opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging – we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences, and we celebrate integrity and respect in a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Health & Wellbeing – we support our people with programmes such as Thrive, virtual GP services, reasonable workplace adjustments, and comprehensive benefits including a menopause support package.

Flex Your Time – you can take one hour each day for personal activities, and we also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, an option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement.

Development – we invest in your growth through training, mentoring, and chartership opportunities.

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, and we are dedicated to creating positive, lasting impacts on the communities we serve.

Equal Opportunities

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.