Principal Drainage Engineer - Multiple Locations

Jacobs; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Principal Engineer in Manchester to influence major highway and rail schemes across the UK. In this role, you'll guide drainage engineering standards and mentor the next generation of engineers.

Candidates should have a degree in engineering, knowledge of drainage modelling tools, and a thorough understanding of DMRB and UK rail standards. A full driving licence is required due to site travel.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering drainage and/or transportation projects at various scheme stages.
• Thorough understanding of relevant standards such as DMRB and SuDS Manual.
• Must hold a full driving licence due to site travel.

Responsibilities

• Influence technical direction on major highway and rail schemes.
• Lead and guide design quality on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Provide coaching and mentoring to junior engineers.

Skills

Drainage modelling software

DMRB standards

UK rail standards

SuDS design

Leadership

Education

Degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Job description

Your impact

In this role, your expertise will directly shape some of the UK’s most high‑profile transportation programmes. By stepping into a Principal Engineer position, you’ll influence the technical direction of major highway and rail schemes for clients such as National Highways, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, the Welsh Government, HS2 Ltd, national contractors, and local authorities. Your leadership will strengthen a team already recognised for excellence, helping expand our growing portfolio across the UK.

As the technical discipline lead, you’ll set the standard for drainage engineering on multi‑disciplinary projects—guiding design quality, challenging assumptions, and driving innovative, sustainable solutions. Your knowledge of key drainage tools, DMRB or UK Rail Standards, SuDS design, and engagement with Lead Local Flood Authorities will directly shape project outcomes. You’ll also play a pivotal role in developing others, providing coaching and mentoring that supports the next generation of engineers and elevates our capability across the business.

This role can be based at either our Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds or London offices.

Key deliverables (not limited to)

• Providing deliverables and solutions to drainage elements on schemes and problems
• Production and review of feasibility studies, technical reports, detailed designs and production of contract documents across a variety of projects
• Checking and reviewing scheme deliverables and supporting information
• Assist with the technical development of Engineers and Senior Engineers
• Monitoring and reporting of progress
• Help seek innovative solutions in achieving best value in delivering our services

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Chartered or working towards Chartered or Incorporated status
• Ability using drainage modelling software and tools
• Experience of delivering at variety of scheme stages for drainage and/or transportation projects
• Thorough understanding of DMRB and/or UK rail standards, SuDS Manual and other standards and areas not covered by standards in related to area of expertise
• Must hold a full driving licence due to site travel

Equal Employment Opportunity

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.