Project Engineer – Pump Rental & Utilities Projects

Xylem; Grantham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Xylem is seeking an experienced Project Engineer to lead complex pumping, bypass and dewatering projects across the UK water and utilities sector. You will coordinate with Tier 1 contractors, utility clients and internal teams to deliver safe, on-time and within-budget outcomes.

Based in the UK, you will own projects from mobilisation to demobilisation, manage risk and stakeholder expectations, and drive continuous improvement across programmes while promoting safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering infrastructure and pump rental projects.
• Experience with Tier 1 contractors and utility companies.
• Strong planning, coordination and risk management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of NEC3/NEC4 contracts.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of pumping, bypass and temporary works projects.
• Act as primary liaison between customers, operations, engineering and suppliers.
• Develop project programmes, resource plans and schedules.
• Manage mobilisations, site access and health and safety planning.
• Monitor costs, risks and project performance.
• Provide regular updates to stakeholders.
• Close-out lessons learned and opportunities for improvement.

Skills

Project planning

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Commercial awareness

Communication skills

Team leadership

Technical leadership

Tools

NEC contracts

RAMS/CDM

Job description

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Xylem is seeking an experienced Project Engineer to lead the successful delivery of complex temporary pumping, bypass and dewatering projects across the UK water and utilities sector. In this role you will be working alongside leading Tier 1 contractors and major utility clients including Anglian Water, Severn Trent Water and other key framework customers, you will take ownership of projects from initial handover through mobilisation, installation, operation and final demobilisation.

This is an exciting opportunity for an established Project Engineer looking to take a leading role in delivering critical infrastructure projects that directly support the operation and maintenance of essential water and wastewater networks.

You will work at the interface between engineering, operations, commercial teams and customers, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on programme and within budget.

Project Delivery

• Manage and coordinate the delivery of pump rental, bypass pumping and temporary works projects from award through to completion.
• Act as the primary project lead between customers, operations teams, engineering teams, suppliers and subcontractors.
• Develop and maintain project programmes, resource plans and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate all mobilisation activities including plant, equipment, labour, transport, lifting operations, electrical installations and site access requirements.
• Monitor project performance, identify risks and implement mitigation measures to maintain programme and budget objectives.
• Provide regular project updates to customers, internal stakeholders and senior management.
• Manage project close-out activities, capturing lessons learned and identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with Tier 1 contractors, water companies and key framework customers.
• Attend client meetings, design reviews, planning sessions and site progress meetings.
• Ensure customer requirements are fully understood and translated into successful project delivery plans.
• Act as a trusted technical and operational contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support business growth through the delivery of exceptional customer service and project performance.

Technical Leadership

• Review project requirements and ensure proposed pumping solutions are practical, safe and commercially viable.
• Provide technical oversight during the planning and delivery of temporary pumping installations.
• Work closely with electrical, mechanical and temporary works specialists to develop robust project solutions.
• Support technical reviews covering pump selection, generators, variable speed drives, control systems, pipelines, lifting operations and associated temporary works.
• Resolve technical issues that arise during project execution.

Commercial & Contract Management

• Monitor project costs, utilisation and expenditure against approved budgets.
• Support forecasting, reporting and project financial performance reviews.
• Manage variations, compensation events and project changes where applicable.
• Ensure commercial risks and opportunities are identified and managed effectively.
• Maintain a strong understanding of NEC contracts and project delivery obligations.

Health, Safety, Environment & Quality

• Ensure projects are delivered in full compliance with company, client and legislative requirements.
• Lead project planning activities, including RAMS reviews, project documentation and risk assessments.
• Promote a positive safety culture across project teams and supply chain partners.
• Ensure all project personnel and subcontractors operate to required competency and compliance standards.
• Drive continual improvement in safety, quality and operational performance.

Essential

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Project Engineer delivering infrastructure, utility, construction, temporary works or pump rental projects.
• Experience working directly with Tier 1 contractors and utility companies.
• Strong understanding of project delivery, planning and coordination principles.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholders across operational, engineering and commercial functions.
• Excellent communication and customer-facing skills.
• Demonstrable experience managing project risks, resources and programme requirements.
• Knowledge of RAMS, site safety requirements and CDM principles.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of project profitability.

Desirable

• Experience delivering temporary pumping, bypass pumping or dewatering projects.
• Experience within the UK water sector.
• Knowledge of NEC3 and NEC4 contracts.
• Electrical or mechanical engineering background.
• SMSTS, IOSH Managing Safely or equivalent qualification.
• APM, PRINCE2 or similar project management qualification.
• Experience managing subcontractors and specialist suppliers.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded Project Engineer who can confidently lead projects, build credibility with customers and deliver successful outcomes in challenging operational environments.

The ideal candidate will already have experience working within utilities, infrastructure, water, temporary works or pump rental sectors and will be comfortable taking ownership of complex projects involving multiple stakeholders, tight programmes and demanding customer expectations.

Why Join Xylem?

• Deliver high-profile projects for major UK water utilities and Tier 1 contractors.
• Work on critical infrastructure programmes that support essential public services.
• Join an industry-leading provider of pumping and water technology solutions.
• Opportunity to progress into Senior Project Engineer, Project Manager and Programme Management roles.
• Be part of a business investing heavily in growth across the UK utilities and rental markets.

Typical Clients

• Anglian Water
• Severn Trent Water
• Yorkshire Water
• United Utilities
• Thames Water
• Southern Water
• Major Tier 1 contractors operating across AMP programmes and capital delivery frameworks

Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.