Principal Process Engineer

Rullion; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Manchester-based client seeks a Principal Process Engineer to lead process engineering across water and wastewater projects. You will provide technical direction, shape design solutions, and ensure compliance with industry standards. Strong leadership and hands-on design delivery are essential.

The role requires chartered status or near-chartered, with extensive experience in treatment processes and project delivery from design through commissioning.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of process design experience in the water sector.
• Extensive knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and plant design.
• Proven experience delivering process design for water and wastewater projects.
• Chartered Engineer status or near-chartered.
• Experience leading HAZOP studies and technical reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of robust, practical process design solutions for water and wastewater projects.
• Review and approve design deliverables, reports, specifications and DRAs.
• Provide technical guidance to multidisciplinary teams and support tender submissions.
• Mentor engineers and graduates; drive continuous improvement of standards.

Skills

Process design

Water industry knowledge

HAZOP experience

Tender support

Leadership

Education

Relevant degree

Chartered Engineer

Tools

Engineering tools

Job description

My client are looking for an experienced Principal Process Engineer to take a leading role in delivering innovative, robust and practical process engineering solutions across water and wastewater projects.

This is a senior technical position suited to a Chartered or near-Chartered Engineer with extensive experience in treatment processes and process design. You will combine technical leadership with hands-on design delivery, helping to shape solutions that meet client, regulatory and operational requirements.

You will play a key role in developing and approving process designs, providing technical direction to multidisciplinary teams and supporting the successful delivery of projects from design through to commissioning.

The Role

As Principal Process Engineer, you will take ownership of process engineering activities across a range of projects, providing technical leadership and ensuring consistently high-quality design solutions.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the development of efficient, practical and technically robust process design solutions.
• Reviewing and approving design deliverables, technical reports, specifications and Design Risk Assessments (DRAs).
• Checking and approving mass balances, process sizing, hydraulic calculations and Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs).
• Reviewing control philosophies and commissioning strategies.
• Providing technical guidance and oversight across projects.
• Supporting tender submissions, technical proposals and project planning.
• Directing, mentoring and developing engineers and graduates.
• Ensuring designs comply with relevant technical standards, professional guidance and water company requirements.
• Ensuring design changes are appropriately implemented, controlled and recorded.
• Working in accordance with formal design processes, procedures and quality requirements.
• Estimating design hours and contributing to project programmes and resource planning.
• Attending and leading HAZOP, ALM, KM and other technical review meetings.
• Reviewing and communicating technical standards, procedures and industry updates.
• Supporting the continuous improvement of process engineering standards, tools and practices.

About You

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• 10+ years' process design experience within the regulated water industry.
• Extensive knowledge of wastewater treatment processes and plant design.
• Proven experience delivering process design for water and/or wastewater projects.
• A relevant degree, HND, or significant practical engineering experience gained through progression from technician level.
• Strong IT and digital skills, with the ability to work effectively with engineering and design tools.
• Chartered Engineer status.
• Experience across both clean water and wastewater projects.
• Experience participating in or leading HAZOP studies, ideally as Chair.
• Experience supporting tenders, bids and technical proposals.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.