Principal Process Engineer

Southern Water; Lewes; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is seeking a Principal Process Engineer to provide expert technical leadership across multiple wastewater projects in the UK. The role involves guiding multidisciplinary design teams, challenging traditional approaches, and driving digital design for sustainable solutions.

You will shape delivery across AMP8 and beyond, influencing strategy and ensuring value for money while improving resilience and environmental performance.

Qualifications

• A degree in Chemical Engineering, Environmental or related discipline, with Chartered Engineer status essential.
• UK water industry experience delivering projects is required.
• Excellent communication, leadership and problem-solving skills are essential.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are required.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert technical leadership across a broad portfolio of wastewater projects.
• Guide multidisciplinary design teams and influence strategy to deliver robust, sustainable solutions.
• Promote digital design and drive whole-life value in projects.
• Lead, mentor and develop junior engineers and support recruitment.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Driving licence

Education

MEng/BEng/BSc or HNC in Chemical Engineering/Environmental

Job description

Closing Date

2026-07-03

Job Title: Principal Process Engineer

Location: Falmer, Sussex (must be willing to travel across the patch to attend site visits when required)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37

Salary: Competitive salary - to be discussed at interview stage

About the role:

Southern Water is investing heavily in the resilience, quality, and sustainability of our water and wastewater services.

We're driving major transformation across AMP8 and beyond, and we're looking for a Principal Process Engineer to play a key role in shaping how we deliver cleaner, greener, more efficient solutions for our customers and the environment.

What you will be responsible for:

As a Principal Process Engineer, you will provide expert technical leadership across a broad portfolio of wastewater projects. You'll guide multidisciplinary design teams, influence strategy, and ensure the delivery of robust, efficient and sustainable engineering solutions.

Working closely with Project Design Leads, delivery partners and stakeholders, you will challenge traditional approaches, promote digital design, and drive whole-life value into every project.

This is a senior, influential role where your technical decisions will shape how Southern Water delivers water treatment solutions now and, in the future.

• Technical Leadership - Lead process design across multiple wastewater schemes, providing expert guidance and approvals. Oversee key technical deliverables, resolve complex issues, and ensure quality, compliance, and value for money.
• Safety & Sustainability - Promote a strong safety culture, develop risk assessments, and ensure designs meet CDM, environmental, and sustainability standards.
• Innovation & Improvement - Drive continuous improvement by challenging existing practices, adopting industry best practice, and championing digital design and standardisation.
• People Leadership - Support, mentor, and develop junior engineers, contribute to recruitment, and foster a culture that encourages innovation and collaboration.
• Financial & Commercial - Assist with business case development, manage design budgets, and influence stakeholders to secure best value.
• Programme & Customer Focus - Ensure design deliverables meet programme, customer, and regulatory expectations, and represent Southern Water at technical events

What you’ll bring to the role:

• Qualifications: MEng/BEng/BSc or HNC in Chemical Engineering, Environmental, or a related discipline. Chartered Engineer status with a relevant institution is essential.
• Experience: A solid background in delivering water projects in the UK Water Industry, with a deep understanding of engineering principles, commercial operations, and risk management.
• Skills: Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive innovation and manage complex engineering challenges.
• Essential: A full, UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain's water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation

Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water-and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you're inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, you don't need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Additional information:

In line with Southern Water's security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre-employment checks, including security vetting.

Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment.

Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.