Principal Civil Engineer - Water

Stantec; Easter Howgate; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Bonus schemes

Private medical insurance

Pension plan

Job summary

Stantec in Edinburgh is seeking a Principal Engineer to lead civil design governance across Scotland’s water and wastewater assets within a multi-decade framework. You will act as Lead Designer or Technical Director, ensuring design rigor, buildability and compliance with Scottish Water and SEPA.

You will manage multidisciplinary teams, engage with clients and partners, shape technical fee proposals and bid strategies, and mentor junior engineers as part of our growing Edinburgh office.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering (BEng/MEng) and chartered status with ICE or equivalent.
• Proven sector expertise in UK water and wastewater infrastructure design.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with CDM 2015 and principal designer responsibilities.
• Proficiency with Civil 3D, InfoDrainage and BIM workflows.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across complex water/wastewater capital projects.
• Act as Lead Designer or Technical Director ensuring design rigor and buildability.
• Drive design standards, digital delivery adoption, and resource planning.
• Engage with Scottish Water, regulators and partners to manage interfaces and approvals.
• Lead collaboration across process, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and env. teams.
• Manage design fees, scope changes, risk and programme milestones; contribute to bids.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder mgmt

Civil design

CDM2015

Digital delivery

Project governance

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Tools

Civil 3D

InfoDrainage

BIM workflows

Job description

Lead a generation of water infrastructure transformation in Scotland.

Scottish Water is launching an £8.1bn investment programme—the largest capital programme in its history. Stantec has been appointed as one of only two Primary Design Partners to deliver this landmark framework through to 2039.

This is not a standard framework cycle. It is a multi-decade pipeline of major water and wastewater infrastructure assets that will shape how Scotland lives for generations. Positioned in our Edinburgh office, this win solidifies Stantec’s standing as the #1 design consultancy in the UK regulated water sector as we enter SR27.

At this scale, opportunities to shape a nation’s water infrastructure come once in a career. We are establishing our senior technical leadership team now—and as a Principal Engineer, you will directly define how this major programme is designed, governed, and delivered.

About the Role

As a Principal Engineer, you will provide technical leadership and governance across complex water and wastewater capital projects, acting as Lead Designer or Technical Director to ensure design rigor, innovation, buildability, and full compliance with Scottish Water and SEPA requirements. Working closely with our delivery framework leadership team, you will drive consistent technical standards, digital engineering adoption, and efficient resource allocation across the entire Scottish Water portfolio.

You will lead multidisciplinary integration across process, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and environmental disciplines, resolving complex technical interfaces on major treatment assets and network schemes. A central aspect of the role involves client and partner engagement, where you will build and maintain strong working relationships with Scottish Water project managers, key stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and joint venture or contractor delivery partners.

From a commercial and project management perspective, you will drive project performance by managing design fees, scope changes, risk, resourcing, and key programme delivery milestones. You will also contribute to work winning and bidding activities, shaping technical fee proposals, bid strategies, and capability presentations to secure new opportunities across the region.

Finally, you will take an active role in team leadership and mentorship. You will line manage, develop, and guide senior, project, and graduate engineers, fostering a high-performing technical community in Edinburgh while serving as an ICE Supervising Engineer or Mentor.

Your Impact

As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will serve as a technical lead and trusted advisor within our Edinburgh water business. You will take overarching ownership of major civil engineering design schemes—from high-level strategy and optioneering through to detailed design and construction stage support.

Beyond project execution, you will play a central role in driving technical excellence, steering multidisciplinary design teams, managing strategic relationships with Scottish Water and contractor partners, and expanding our technical capability in Edinburgh through team growth and mentorship.

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Degree Qualified: BEng or MEng (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering.

• Chartered Status: Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or equivalent recognized professional body.

• Proven Sector Expertise: Substantial experience leading the design of UK water and wastewater infrastructure (treatment works, pumping stations, major pipelines, drainage networks, and civil assets).

• Technical & Digital Authority: Comprehensive knowledge of civil design principles, hydraulic concepts, and modern digital delivery tools (e.g., Civil 3D, InfoDrainage, BIM workflows).

• Delivery Track Record: Proven background managing multidisciplinary design teams, fee budgets, and commercial outcomes on complex infrastructure projects.

• CDM & Health & Safety: In-depth understanding of CDM 2015 Regulations with direct experience taking on Principal Designer responsibilities.

• Leadership & Communication: Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and decision-making skills with a track record of developing junior and mid-level engineers.

Why Join Stantec in Edinburgh?

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed. We can offer you a great office environment in the heart of Edinburgh.

• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work for by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named 'Best Place to Work' and 'International Consulting Firm of the Year' at the NCE Awards 2024.

• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.

• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).

• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK and we want you to be part of it!

• Great benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection and life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.

• Hybrid / flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.