Senior Or Principal Drainage & Suds Engineer

Calibre Search; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Flexible remote working

Job summary

Calibre Search is seeking a Senior/Principal Drainage & SuDS Engineer in Manchester to lead and deliver SuDS and surface water designs across multiple projects. You will work within a multidisciplinary team, performing GIS/CAD analyses, modelling, and producing technical reports while managing budgets and client relationships.

The role offers hybrid working with three days in the office and two from home, a salary up to £65,000, private medical insurance, and opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Engineering or related field.
• Experience in drainage, SuDS, NbS or surface water management.
• Professional accreditation such as C.WEM, CEng or IEng is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver SuDS and surface water designs.
• Perform hydrological analysis and modelling with GIS and CAD tools.
• Prepare technical reports and design documentation.
• Manage projects, budgets, and client relationships.
• Support proposals and business development.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor junior colleagues.

Skills

Project leadership

Stakeholder management

Sustainability focus

Mentoring

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ArcGIS

MapInfo

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

InfoDrainage

Causeway Flow

Job description

Senior / Principal Drainage & SuDS Engineer

Location: Manchester

Salary: £45,000-£65,000

Working pattern: 3 days office and 2 days from home

We're looking for an experienced Senior or Principal Drainage & SuDS Engineer to join a multidisciplinary Networks and Drainage team, delivering sustainable drainage, surface water management (SWM) and nature-based solutions (NbS).

You'll work on a diverse range of projects, from early-stage drainage strategies and masterplanning through to detailed design, supporting clients across the water, infrastructure, local authority and development sectors.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver concept and detailed designs for SuDS, nature-based solutions and wider surface water management projects.
• Undertake technical analysis and mapping using GIS tools such as ArcGIS and MapInfo, alongside CAD software including Civil 3D.
• Prepare technical reports, design documentation and quality-assured deliverables.
• Manage projects and work packages, ensuring delivery to programme, budget and quality requirements.
• Support technical and financial proposals and identify business development opportunities.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including environmental, planning, landscape and engineering specialists.
• Build strong client relationships and support the development of junior colleagues.

About You

• Degree in Engineering, Geography, GIS, Environmental Science or a related discipline. HNC/HND qualifications with relevant experience will also be considered.
• Relevant experience in drainage, SuDS, nature-based solutions or surface water management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in SuDS strategy, design and/or modelling.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, Civil 3D, GIS and hydraulic modelling tools such as InfoDrainage or Causeway Flow would be advantageous.
• A proactive approach, strong technical ability and an interest in sustainability.
• Ability to mentor colleagues and work collaboratively across disciplines.
• Professional accreditation, such as C.WEM, CEng or IEng, is desirable.

What's on Offer?

• Salary range between £45,000 - £65,000.
• Single-cover Bupa private medical insurance.
• Flexible and remote-working options.
• Opportunity to work on varied, technically challenging and sustainability-focused projects.
• Career development and opportunities to contribute to technical leadership and business growth.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.