Senior Principal Process Engineer - Clean Water

Stantec; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Bonus schemes

Pension plan

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Senior Principal Process Engineer in the North West, based in Manchester or Warrington. You will lead technical direction on Clean Water projects, shaping strategy from feasibility to delivery, and mentor the next generation of engineers.

You will influence major investment decisions, develop solutions and strengthen client partnerships with United Utilities and regional teams, driving high-impact outcomes for water resilience and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical or Process Engineering required.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with a relevant professional institution.
• Significant UK Clean Water process engineering experience.
• Extensive design, optimisation and water infrastructure expertise.
• Proven technical leadership on complex, multidisciplinary water projects.
• Strong knowledge of UK water industry challenges, standards and regulations.
• Ability to develop trusted client relationships and influence decisions.
• Experience mentoring engineers and technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership across Clean Water projects.
• Lead technical direction from strategy to detailed design and delivery.
• Develop process design solutions, standards and engineering approaches.
• Ensure quality, safety, sustainability and value in delivery.
• Grow Stantec’s Clean Water capability in the North West and lead client relationships.
• Mentor and develop engineers within the Process Engineering team.

Skills

Chemical Engineering

Process Engineering

CEng (Chartered Engineer)

Clean Water

Water Infrastructure

Technical Leadership

Client Relationships

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Chemical/Process Engineering

CEng registration

Job description

The Opportunity

The North West is at the heart of significant investment in water infrastructure, with major programmes underway to improve resilience, water quality and the long-term sustainability of supplies across the region. At Stantec, our Manchester and Warrington teams are supporting clients including United Utilities on some of the sector’s most important challenges, from treatment and asset optimisation to strategic investment and future water resilience.

The Opportunity

The North West is at the heart of significant investment in water infrastructure, with major programmes underway to improve resilience, water quality and the long-term sustainability of supplies across the region. At Stantec, our Manchester and Warrington teams are supporting clients including United Utilities on some of the sector’s most important challenges, from treatment and asset optimisation to strategic investment and future water resilience.

We’re looking for a Senior Principal Process Engineer specialising in Clean Water to join our growing team, based in either Manchester or Warrington. This is a senior leadership opportunity for an experienced process engineer who wants to shape technical direction, influence major investment decisions and help grow our Clean Water capability across the North West. You’ll work closely with clients and multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative, practical solutions that strengthen water supplies and deliver better outcomes for communities across the region.

About The Role

As a Senior Principal Process Engineer, you’ll provide strategic and technical leadership across a portfolio of Clean Water projects, helping shape solutions from early strategy and feasibility through to detailed design and delivery. You will lead technical direction across complex treatment and water infrastructure projects, providing technical assurance and acting as a trusted advisor to clients and project teams. You’ll support the development of process design solutions, technical standards and engineering approaches, while ensuring quality, safety, sustainability and value are embedded throughout delivery. You’ll also play a key role in growing Stantec’s Clean Water business in the North West — developing client relationships, identifying opportunities, supporting bids and frameworks, and strengthening our technical reputation across the region. A significant part of the role will be developing people, mentoring senior engineers and helping build the next generation of technical leaders within the Process Engineering team.

YOUR IMPACT

Your technical leadership will directly contribute to the future of water supply across the North West, helping United Utilities and other clients respond to increasing demand, environmental pressures, climate change and the need for greater resilience. You’ll influence decisions on major investment programmes and treatment solutions, ensuring that projects are technically robust, deliverable and provide long-term value for communities and the environment. Beyond individual projects, you’ll help shape the growth and direction of Stantec’s Clean Water Process capability in Manchester and Warrington — strengthening client relationships, developing our people and creating opportunities for the wider team.

ABOUT YOU Essential

• Degree qualified in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with a relevant professional institution.
• Significant experience in Clean Water process engineering within the UK water sector.
• Extensive technical experience across clean water treatment processes, process design, optimisation and/or water infrastructure.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership and assurance on complex, multidisciplinary water projects.
• Strong understanding of UK water industry challenges, regulatory requirements, standards and best practice.
• Proven ability to develop trusted relationships with clients and influence technical and strategic decisions.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing engineers and technical teams.

Desirable

• Experience across water treatment works, water resources, strategic supply, treatment optimisation or asset improvement.
• Experience in developing technical strategies, engineering standards or innovative approaches to Clean Water delivery.
• Strong understanding of emerging challenges such as water scarcity, climate resilience, changing water quality requirements and emerging contaminants.
• Experience contributing to bids, frameworks, business development or account growth.
• Demonstrable commitment to developing people and building high-performing technical teams.

WHY JOIN US

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities. Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities. Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply. At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.