Principal Drainage Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Sheffield; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal Drainage Engineer to lead drainage design projects and mentor junior staff. This role offers flexible working arrangements, a generous pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development. The ideal candidate will have chartered status and experience with design tools like MicroDrainage. Join a team committed to innovative infrastructure solutions in the UK.

Benefits

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

Generous pension scheme

Health cash plan

Wellbeing initiatives

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Chartered or Incorporated status (or equivalent professional accreditation).
• Proven ability to deliver technically sound engineering solutions in line with standards.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision and expertise to design teams and stakeholders.
• Oversee preparation and checking of designs and project documentation.
• Manage budgets and ensure commercial success of projects.
• Liaise with clients and suppliers, presenting proposals and providing technical input.
• Promote a strong health and safety culture.

Skills

Chartered or Incorporated status

Technical engineering solutions delivery

Experience with design tools like MicroDrainage

Knowledge of design processes for highways drainage

Understanding of CDM and health & safety regulations

Experience in mentoring junior engineers

Tools

MicroDrainage

Causeway Flow

Job description

Overview

Principal Drainage Engineer

Are you ready to take the lead on some of the UK's most exciting highways and infrastructure projects? As a Principal Drainage Engineer, you'll have the opportunity to influence major schemes, guide design teams, and shape sustainable solutions that protect our shared future. This is an opportunity to join a well-established consultancy working at the heart of the transport and infrastructure sector.

With offices across the UK and a strong track record of delivering innovative, sustainable solutions, you'll be part of a team that values safety, collaboration, and technical excellence. The consultancy partners with Highways, local authorities, and private sector clients to deliver some of the largest and most impactful programmes in the country.

Role

In this position, you will have the chance to lead on highways drainage design, working closely with clients and local authorities to deliver successful outcomes.

As a Principal Drainage Engineer, you will take responsibility for mentoring and supporting junior engineers, while also ensuring quality, cost, and programme targets are consistently achieved.

Responsibilities

• Act as a technical lead, providing supervision, guidance, and expertise to design teams and project stakeholders
• Oversee the preparation and checking of designs, calculations, drawings, and project documentation
• Manage budgets and ensure the commercial success of your projects
• Liaise directly with clients and suppliers, presenting proposals, attending progress meetings, and providing technical input
• Contribute to bid preparation and play an active role in securing new work
• Promote a strong health and safety culture within your team and across projects

What You'll Bring

• Chartered or Incorporated status (or equivalent professional accreditation)
• Proven ability to deliver technically sound engineering solutions in line with standards and client requirements
• Experience using and overseeing design tools such as MicroDrainage and/or Causeway Flow
• Strong knowledge of design processes and specification requirements for highways drainage
• An excellent understanding of CDM, risk assessment, and health & safety regulations
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and mentoring junior engineers

What\'s on Offer

You\'ll be joining an organisation that invests in its people, supports career development, and offers genuine flexibility.

As a Principal Drainage Engineer, you\'ll have access to a clear career progression framework, dedicated mentoring, and recognition bonuses for achieving professional qualifications.

Other benefits include:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Generous pension scheme and holiday entitlement
• Health cash plan, GP access, wellbeing initiatives, and employee support programmes
• A flexible benefits scheme allowing you to tailor additional perks such as cycle-to-work, gym membership, or extra holiday
• Opportunities to get involved in community and volunteering initiatives

This is your opportunity to step into a leadership role where your technical expertise and people skills will make a real impact. If you\'re looking for a career move that allows you to influence major infrastructure projects while developing your own career, the Principal Drainage Engineer role is the perfect next step