Senior Drainage Engineer - Multiple Locations

Jacobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements

Well-being benefits

Global volunteering opportunities

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Drainage Engineer in Manchester to influence the future of transport infrastructure through sustainable drainage solutions. In this pivotal role, you'll deliver high-quality designs, ensure compliance, and collaborate with clients on significant projects for the UK.

Candidates should possess a degree in Civil Engineering, chartered status (or working towards it), and proven experience in drainage design. Jacobs promotes flexible working arrangements and values diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering or similar discipline.
• Chartered or working towards Chartered or Incorporated status.
• Working knowledge of Health & Safety legislation.
• Experience in delivering drainage and/or transportation projects.
• Proven experience in design of highway drainage systems.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality drainage designs across project stages.
• Lead multidisciplinary collaboration with clients and stakeholders.
• Monitor project performance and manage budgets.
• Champion innovation and best practices in design efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with quality management systems.

Skills

Drainage design

Project management

Civil Engineering knowledge

Health and Safety legislation knowledge

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline

Tools

Drainage modelling software

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to influence the future of transport infrastructure by delivering drainage solutions that are resilient, sustainable, and ready for the challenges of tomorrow. You’ll shape key design decisions, mentor emerging engineers, and collaborate with specialists across the globe to push what’s possible in highway and rail drainage design. Your work will directly improve safety, connectivity, and environmental outcomes for millions of people — leaving a tangible legacy across some of the UK’s most ambitious and transformative infrastructure programmes.

This role can be based out of either our Manchester, Birmingham Leeds or London offices.

About the opportunity

Step into a role where your drainage expertise shapes some of the most influential transport projects in the UK. As a Senior Drainage Engineer, you’ll work at the heart of nationally significant programmes across highways and rail—partnering with clients such as National Highways, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, the Welsh Government, HS2 Ltd, major contractors, and Local Authorities.

Joining Jacobs means becoming part of a high‑performing, highly respected UK Transportation team—a team known for delivering complex, high‑profile projects that genuinely make a difference to communities and infrastructure across the country.

You’ll be a key player in our global drainage delivery network, helping drive innovative, sustainable drainage solutions through every stage of multidisciplinary project development. From early concept design through to detailed delivery, your technical leadership will help shape the next generation of transportation infrastructure.

Key deliverables (not limited to)

• Deliver high‑quality drainage designs and technical solutions across feasibility, detailed design, and contract documentation stages.
• Lead and contribute to multidisciplinary collaboration, liaising with clients, stakeholders, and other technical teams to ensure integrated project delivery.
• Drive project performance by monitoring progress, forecasting costs, and supporting programme and budget management.
• Champion innovation and best value, identifying opportunities to improve design efficiency, sustainability, and delivery methods.
• Ensure compliance and quality, fulfilling CDM Designer responsibilities and upholding Jacobs’ quality management systems.

Requirements

• A degree in Civil Engineering or similar discipline
• Chartered or working towards Chartered or Incorporated status
• Working knowledge of H&S legislation
• Ability using drainage modelling software and tools
• Experience delivering at variety of scheme stages for drainage and/or transportation projects
• Understanding of DMRB and/or UK rail standards, SuDS Manual and other standards and areas not covered by standards in related to area of expertise.
• Proven experience in design of highway drainage systems and construction of highway drainage schemes.

Benefits & culture

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.

We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Equal opportunity

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

Hybrid working policy

We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.