Principal Civil Engineer (Water)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Leicester; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Health & Wellbeing programs

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

WSP in the UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer to lead the Regulated Water Asset Design team. The role involves managing project delivery across various design services, maintaining client relationships, and mentoring junior staff. Candidates should hold a degree in Civil Engineering and have experience managing design teams. WSP offers flexible working arrangements, a commitment to inclusivity, and a supportive environment for professional development.

Qualifications

• Experience in delivering projects within budget and schedule.
• Ability to act in a checking role on civil engineering projects.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Manage project delivery ensuring health, safety, quality, and budget compliance.
• Build relationships with clients to ensure satisfaction.
• Support the development of graduate engineers and apprentices.

Skills

Managing engineering design teams

Client-facing experience

Presentation skills

Mentoring junior staff

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered status or progress towards ICE/CIWEM membership

Job description

Principal Civil Engineer – Regulated Water Asset Design

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, including Severn Trent Water and SouthWest Water. We also maintain excellent relationships and trading agreements with blue chip contractors, including Costain and Galliford Try, for whom we deliver projects across the UK. We deliver a full range of design services across wastewater treatment, water treatment, sewerage, and water network schemes. To find out more, visit https://www.wsp.com/en-us/sectors/wastewater.

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

Qualifications and Experience

• 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

Benefits

Work‑life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests, and your community. Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging. Our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme. Our virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need and offer benefits such as the Gymflex scheme, a comprehensive menopause support package, and more.

Flex Your Time

WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day. We also provide part‑time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your Development

We foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or chartership.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.