Senior Drainage Principal Engineer - Hybrid UK

Rsk Group; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Employer pension contribution 8%

Flexible working

Professional memberships

Job summary

Rsk Group is seeking a Principal Engineer (Drainage) to lead high-profile drainage and infrastructure projects across the UK from Chelmsford. You will shape technical strategy, drive design governance, and mentor multidisciplinary design teams in a senior leadership role.

The role combines technical excellence with client engagement, bid leadership, and business development, offering hybrid working and a competitive package. 2–3 days in the office are typical.

Qualifications

• Essential: Chartered Engineer (CEng) or near-chartered (ICE/CIHT) and BEng/BSc or MEng in Civil Engineering.
• Essential: 10+ years in drainage/infrastructure design, including senior/lead technical positions.
• Proven track record delivering end-to-end civil infrastructure projects.
• Strong client-facing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience mentoring and developing engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the design, procurement, and delivery of complex drainage infrastructure projects.
• Provide technical leadership on drainage and flood risk across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Build, maintain, and enhance relationships with local authorities, developers, and key clients.
• Mentor, manage, and support engineers at all levels, driving technical excellence and professional growth.
• Lead on bid preparation, fee proposals, resource planning, and business development.
• Ensure designs meet CDM 2015, DMRB, local authority, and national standards.

Skills

Drainage design

Leadership

Client engagement

Mentoring engineers

Stakeholder management

Technical governance

Education

BEng/BSc or MEng in Civil Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or near-chartered (ICE/CIHT)

Tools

InfoDrainage/MicroDrainage

Flow

Civil 3D

Hydraulic modelling software

Job description

Rsk Group is seeking a Principal Engineer (Drainage) to lead high-profile drainage and infrastructure projects across the UK from Chelmsford. You will shape technical strategy, drive design governance, and mentor multidisciplinary design teams in a senior leadership role.

The role combines technical excellence with client engagement, bid leadership, and business development, offering hybrid working and a competitive package. 2–3 days in the office are typical.