Principal Engineer (hydraulics)

United Utilities; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days leave

Pension scheme

Bonus

Car allowance

Healthcare plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing support

EVolve Car Scheme

Employee assistance

Mental Health support

Salary finance support

Parental leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

United Utilities is hiring a Principal Civil Engineer to provide technical leadership across the business, shaping water and wastewater infrastructure strategy and standards. You will influence capital programmes, ensure safety and quality, and represent UU in industry forums and universities.

Based in Warrington with hybrid working, you will lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor engineers, and govern project delivery while advancing engineering excellence and industry collaboration.

Qualifications

• Accomplished Chartered Civil Engineer with post-chartership senior leadership experience.
• Ability to influence, mentor and inspire teams across a large organisation.
• Strong governance, standards, policy and technical assurance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide civil engineering leadership and governance across the business.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure high-quality engineering outputs.
• Drive complex capital programmes and lifecycle project delivery.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to development of standards and best practice.
• Engage with universities and industry bodies to promote innovation.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Stakeholder management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Job description

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

The role

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid Working)
Salary: Competitive Salary + Bonus & Car Allowance
Contract Type: Permanent
Employment Type: Full Time

Lead the Future of Engineering at United Utilities

At United Utilities, our purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West. Every day, millions of customers rely on the infrastructure, assets and engineering expertise that keep our services running safely, efficiently and sustainably.

We're looking for an exceptional Principal Civil Engineer to provide technical leadership across the business, helping shape the future of water and wastewater infrastructure while influencing engineering excellence at the highest level.

This is a rare opportunity to combine strategic leadership, technical authority and people development within one of the UK's largest infrastructure organisations. You'll lead complex engineering challenges, support major capital investment programmes and play a critical role in developing the next generation of engineering talent.

If you're a highly experienced Chartered Engineer looking for a role where your expertise can influence projects, standards and engineering strategy across an entire organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

Why United Utilities?

As a FTSE 100 company, United Utilities offers the opportunity to work on projects that have a direct impact on communities, the environment and future generations.

You'll be joining a business committed to innovation, sustainability and engineering excellence, with the scale and ambition to tackle some of the industry's most complex challenges.

Alongside a competitive salary, you'll benefit from:

• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution
• Up to 20% performance-related bonus
• Company-funded healthcare plan
• Life assurance cover
• MyGymDiscounts and wellbeing support
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• Salary Finance and Wealth at Work support
• Enhanced parental leave policies
• Employee discounts and recognition awards

Key duties and responsibilities

As Principal Civil Engineer, you will provide civil engineering leadership across United Utilities, acting as a recognised technical authority and trusted adviser to the business.

Working closely with engineering disciplines, project teams, operational stakeholders and delivery partners, you will ensure technical excellence, consistency and governance are embedded across engineering activities.

You will lead and develop teams of technical resources, mentor engineers across the organisation and contribute to the continual development of engineering standards, policies and best practice.

In addition, you will play a key role in raising the profile of United Utilities within the wider engineering community through industry engagement, technical publications and collaboration with research organisations and universities.

What You'll Be Doing

Technical Leadership

• Provide civil engineering leadership and governance across the business.
• Lead teams of technical professionals, ensuring high-quality engineering outputs.
• Take accountability for technical decision-making and engineering assurance.
• Support the delivery of complex capital programmes and strategic projects.
• Provide expert advice across the full project lifecycle, from concept development through to commissioning and handover.
• Ensure engineering activities are delivered in accordance with company standards, legislation and industry best practice.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of United Utilities engineering standards and procedures.
• Promote technical consistency and governance across all business functions.
• Act as Designer under CDM regulations and champion safe design principles.

Industry Influence & Innovation

• Raise the profile of United Utilities through technical leadership across the water sector and wider engineering community.
• Develop and present technical papers and thought leadership at industry forums and conferences.
• Maintain strong relationships with universities, research institutions and industry organisations.
• Identify emerging technologies, methodologies and opportunities for innovation.
• Lead, mentor and develop engineers and technical professionals across United Utilities.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning, professional development and engineering excellence.
• Coach and support engineers working towards professional registration.
• Act as Company Administrator for the Institution of Civil Engineers Training Scheme within six months of appointment.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop strong relationships with internal customers, delivery teams and engineering disciplines.
• Work collaboratively with programme and project teams to ensure successful outcomes.
• Provide technical guidance to both engineering and non-engineering stakeholders.
• Influence decision-making at senior leadership level through technical expertise and sound judgement.

Essential skills & experience

About You

You will be an accomplished Chartered Civil Engineer with significant post-chartership experience operating in senior engineering leadership roles.

You'll combine deep technical expertise with strong leadership capabilities and be recognised for your ability to influence, mentor and inspire others.

You will be comfortable operating within complex technical environments, balancing strategic thinking with practical problem-solving and bringing together multidisciplinary teams to deliver exceptional outcomes.

Most importantly, you'll be passionate about engineering excellence and committed to developing the future of the profession.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with substantial and sustained post-chartership experience in senior engineering positions.
• Proven track record of leading complex engineering activities and exercising authoritative technical judgement.
• Strong technical leadership skills with the ability to influence engineering decisions across a large organisation.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams within complex engineering environments.
• Experience delivering capital projects and strategic programmes through the complete project lifecycle.
• Excellent understanding of engineering governance, standards, policy and technical assurance.
• Strong knowledge of water, wastewater and sludge treatment processes, hydraulic design and associated infrastructure.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience producing technical reports, specifications and engineering standards.
• Demonstrated commitment to health, safety and safe design principles.
• Established relationships with universities, research organisations and industry bodies.
• Experience presenting technical papers at industry conferences and forums.
• Knowledge of international engineering standards and best practice.
• Experience influencing engineering strategy within large infrastructure organisations.
• Experience coaching and mentoring engineers towards professional qualification and career progression.

Join Us

This is more than a technical leadership role. It's an opportunity to influence the future of engineering across one of the UK's largest water companies, helping to shape infrastructure that will serve millions of customers for decades to come.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.