Principal Process Engineer - Water Industry

Tetra Tech Europe; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

Tetra Tech Europe is seeking a Principal Process Engineer to lead process design and optimisation across UK water networks. This role involves multidisciplinary coordination, client engagement, and digital design development on major projects. A degree in Chemical Engineering, along with substantial experience in the water sector, is required. The position supports a hybrid working environment, with a competitive salary and benefits, encouraging innovation and career advancement.

Qualifications

• Substantial water sector experience.
• Proven AMP programme experience is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead process design, optimisation and advisory services across water industry frameworks.
• Assure process deliverables and support project delivery.
• Enhance client value through lower carbon and whole-life cost solutions.

Skills

Process design and verification

Process optimisation and innovation

Multidisciplinary leadership

Digital design and delivery

Client engagement and commercial awareness

Education

Degree in Chemical Engineering or related discipline

Postgraduate qualification

Chartered or working towards chartership

Job description

Shape process performance across UK water networks

Purpose And Scope Of The Role

Tetra Tech’s Water Consultancy is seeking multiple Principal Process Engineers to lead process design, optimisation and advisory services across major long‑term water industry frameworks UK‑wide. You will produce and review process envelope definitions, influent characterisations, PFDs, outline and detailed calculations, control philosophies and technical reports for treatment works, pumping stations and allied assets. Daily activity includes design leadership, multidisciplinary coordination, client engagement and digital design development. Projects include a £100 million, 10‑year United Utilities framework and a broad AMP8/AMP9 portfolio of multi‑million‑pound programmes.

Your Impact In This Position

In the short term you will assure process deliverables and support project delivery. Over the medium term you will drive process optimisation, integrate laboratory data and digital tools, and enhance client value through lower carbon and whole‑life cost solutions. Long term you will capture and share technical knowledge across teams, develop future leaders and progress into technical or programme leadership roles within Tetra Tech.

Core Capabilities

• Process design and verification - Produce and verify robust process designs, PFDs, specifications and performance reports to statutory and client standards.
• Process optimisation and innovation - Identify and implement efficiency, chemical and energy savings, collaborating with laboratories and software teams to develop optimisation tools.
• Multidisciplinary leadership - Lead integrated teams and coordinate with civil, mechanical, electrical, ICA and control disciplines through design, HAZOPs and construction support.
• Digital design and delivery - Apply and advance digital design workflows, simulation and data‐led decision making to improve constructability and operational outcomes.
• Client engagement and commercial awareness - Advise clients, manage delivery risks, support bids and cultivate alliance relationships to grow programme value.

Skills, Qualifications And Experience

Expected: degree in Chemical Engineering or related discipline, chartered or working towards chartership, substantial water sector experience. Desirable: postgraduate qualification and proven AMP programme experience.

Work patterns & locations:

Hybrid working with regional office attendance; typical expectation two to three days per week onsite. Travel to client sites across the UK as required. Competitive salary and benefits; flexible arrangements considered in line with delivery needs.

Why join Tetra Tech?

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who lead with Science to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role.