Senior / Principal Drainage & SuDS Engineer

slihrms; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working culture

Flexible holiday allowances

Training and professional development

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking a Principal Drainage & SuDS Engineer to lead and support the delivery of drainage and NbS projects across the UK and beyond. You will guide technical design, manage work packages, and mentor junior staff within a multidisciplinary Networks & Drainage Solutions team.

You will collaborate with clients, coordinate with environmental and planning specialists, and help develop proposals while staying aligned with evolving standards and legislation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Engineering, Geography, GIS, Environmental Science or a related discipline (HNC/HND with relevant experience will be considered).
• Relevant industry experience in drainage, SuDS, NbS or related fields.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and committed to continuous learning.
• Passion for sustainability, surface water management, and the water environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to mentor, support and develop other team members.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development concepts and detailed designs for SuDS, NbS, and wider SWM solutions.
• Produce analysis and mapping using GIS tools (e.g. ArcGIS, MapInfo) and CAD (e.g. Civil 3D) to understand complex environmental problems.
• Prepare technical reports, design documents, and quality assured deliverables.
• Maintain awareness of evolving legislation, standards, and best practice.
• Manage projects or work packages, ensuring delivery to time, cost, and quality.
• Support preparation of technical and financial proposals.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including environmental, planning, landscape, and engineering specialists.
• Engage confidently with clients and stakeholders.
• Identify business development opportunities.
• Mentor and support junior colleagues, contributing to a strong technical culture.

Job description

Job Description

Overview

Shape the future of our cities and natural environments. AtkinsRéalis is a recognised leader in Surface Water Management (SWM) and a driving force in how rainfall, runoff, and blue-green infrastructure are integrated into the built environment. We influence policy, innovate technical approaches, and support clients across the UK and internationally. We are looking for a Principal Drainage & SuDS Engineer to join our multidisciplinary Networks & Drainage Solutions (N&DS) team. You will work on a wide range of challenging projects - from early-stage strategy and Masterplanning to detailed design - alongside a highly capable team of engineers, modellers and GIS specialists. We are committed to giving you the flexibility you need to thrive both professionally and personally. Ask us about our flexible and remote-working policies, and our commitments to inclusion, such as our pledges on Women's Equality and status as a Disability Confident and Inclusive Employer.

Your role

You will lead and support the technical delivery of drainage and SuDS and NbS projects for water companies, local authorities, infrastructure operators, and developers.

Responsibilities include:

• Technical:
  • Oversee the development concepts and detailed designs for SuDS, NbS, and wider SWM solutions.
  • Produce analysis and mapping using GIS tools (e.g. ArcGIS, MapInfo) and CAD (e.g. Civil 3D) to understand complex environmental problems.
  • Prepare technical reports, design documents, and quality assured deliverables.
  • Maintain awareness of evolving legislation, standards, and best practice.
• Project Delivery:
  • Manage projects or work packages, ensuring delivery to time, cost, and quality.
  • Support preparation of technical and financial proposals.
  • Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including environmental, planning, landscape, and engineering specialists.
• Client & Leadership:
  • Engage confidently with clients and stakeholders.
  • Identify business development opportunities.
  • Mentor and support junior colleagues, contributing to a strong technical culture.

About you

Essential Requirements:

• Degree in Engineering, Geography, GIS, Environmental Science or a related discipline (HNC/HND with relevant experience will also be considered).
• Relevant industry experience in drainage, SuDS, NbS or related fields.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and committed to continuous learning.
• Passion for sustainability, surface water management, and the water environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to mentor, support and develop other team members.

Desirable:

• Working towards or holding a professional qualification (C.WEM, CEng, IEng or equivalent).
• Experience in SWM and SuDS strategy, design, and/or modelling.
• Competence in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and hydraulic modelling tools (e.g., InfoDrainage, Causeway Flow).
• Understanding of planning, environmental legislation, ecology, landscape architecture or environmental economics.
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and client facing skills.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive - at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life. Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis , a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people. Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, fl