Senior/Principal Civil Engineer - Water

AtkinsRéalis; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Employee rewards

Professional development opportunities

Flexible holiday allowances

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Senior or Principal Civil Engineer in Derby, UK. The role involves leading wastewater and surface water projects, overseeing technical outputs, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should have a degree in Civil Engineering, experience in regulated frameworks, and proficiency in digital design tools. The company offers competitive salaries, professional development opportunities, and a flexible working culture. This role may require security clearance.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in the design and delivery of wastewater and/or surface water infrastructure.
• Sound knowledge of current UK codes, standards, and best practice.
• Ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Taking technical leadership on wastewater and surface water projects.
• Leading production of technical reports, calculations, and drawings.
• Acting as technical point of contact for clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Water infrastructure design

Wastewater system knowledge

Team collaboration

Technical report production

Digital tool proficiency

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered status with ICE or CIWEM

Tools

MicroDrainage

InfoDrainage

Infoworks ICM

Civil 3D

GIS platforms

Job description

Overview

Shape the future. Make a difference. Join AtkinsRéalis. At AtkinsRéalis, we're not just designing infrastructure—you’re an integral part of our Networks & Drainage Solutions team, helping to deliver sustainable, resilient, and innovative civil engineering solutions that support communities and protect the environment.

Due to continued framework successes, we’re looking for a Senior or Principal Civil Engineer passionate about water, drainage, and infrastructure to join our delivery-focused, wastewater-led team in Derby. Our collaborative, multidisciplinary team provides hands‑on surface water and wastewater network design‑led optioneering, solution development, and technical oversight, supporting projects from feasibility through to delivery. You will work predominantly on Severn Trent’s AMP8 CSO reduction programme, developing practical solutions for network challenges, and assist various UK and international clients—including water companies, highways authorities, and Network Rail—for opportunities to contribute to Design & Build projects and collaborate with contractors on engineering solutions.

Your Role

• Taking technical leadership on wastewater and surface water projects, from feasibility and optioneering through to outline and detailed design.
• Leading or overseeing the production of technical reports, calculations, drawings, and specifications, ensuring quality, consistency, and robustness of solutions.
• Acting as a technical point of contact for clients and stakeholders, supporting design decisions and contributing to effective project delivery.
• Working collaboratively with hydraulic modellers, surveyors, geotechnical engineers, and other disciplines to develop integrated and buildable solutions.
• Playing an active role in initiatives to reduce Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) spills, supporting wider business objectives across Cities & Development and Transportation markets.
• Providing technical oversight, mentoring, and support to less experienced engineers, helping to grow capability within the team.
• Leveraging digital tools and data to improve design quality, efficiency, and decision‑making, supporting innovation across the water and infrastructure sectors.

About You

• A degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Chartered status with ICE or CIWEM.
• Strong experience in the design and delivery of wastewater and/or surface water infrastructure, ideally within regulated water or infrastructure frameworks.
• Sound knowledge of current UK codes, standards, and best practice, with the confidence to apply professional judgement.
• Experience working within multidisciplinary teams and contributing to technically complex projects.
• Proficiency in relevant digital and analysis tools, such as MicroDrainage, InfoDrainage, Infoworks ICM, Civil 3D, and GIS platforms, with an interest in developing efficient design workflows.
• The ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, and to support the development of others.

Rewards & Benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive at every stage of your life and career: competitive salaries, employee rewards, a broad range of benefits tailored to your health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Take advantage of abundant opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills, plus a hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and a fulfilling personal life.

Security Clearance

This role may require security clearance, and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels they belong. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and abilities. As a Disability Confident Leader, we commit to offering an interview to all applicants with a disability who meet the essential criteria.