Senior Principal Process Engineer - Water Sector

Stantec; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid / flexible working

Private medical insurance

Enhanced pension plan

Annual leave with buy/sell options

Professional subscriptions coverage

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Senior Principal Process Engineer to lead technical direction across UK water and wastewater projects, delivering robust solutions and governance while mentoring senior engineers.

Based in London, Cambridge, or other UK sites, you will influence strategy from concept through commissioning, build trusted client relationships and drive innovation within our Process Engineering community, shaping the future of sustainable water infrastructure.

Qualifications

• Degree in Chemical or Process Engineering or related field.
• Extensive process engineering experience within water/wastewater or utilities.
• Proven senior technical leadership across multidisciplinary projects.
• Ability to influence senior client stakeholders and provide credible technical advice.

Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership across water and wastewater projects.
• Act as technical authority, providing expert challenge and assurance.
• Lead process designs, calculations, mass balances, and treatment evaluations.
• Influence engineering strategy from concept through commissioning.
• Mentor engineers and develop future technical leaders.

Skills

Process engineering leadership

Senior leadership

Stakeholder management

Technical governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Process Engineering

Job description

The Opportunity

The water sector is evolving rapidly, with increasing investment in resilient infrastructure, treatment performance, environmental improvement and long-term sustainability. At Stantec, our Process Engineering teams are helping clients respond to these challenges by delivering innovative engineering solutions across a diverse range of UK water programmes.

We're looking for a Senior Principal Process Engineer to join our growing teams in London, High Wycombe, Reading, Brighton, Southampton or Cambridge. This is an opportunity to take a senior leadership role within our Process Engineering community, providing strategic technical direction across complex projects while building trusted relationships with clients and multidisciplinary teams.

You’ll have the opportunity to shape technical strategy, develop future engineering leaders and contribute to the continued growth of our Process Engineering capability, working on projects that have a real impact on communities and the environment.

About The Role

As a Senior Principal Process Engineer, you’ll provide senior technical and strategic leadership across water and wastewater projects, taking responsibility for technical quality, engineering governance and the development of robust solutions.

You Will

• Provide senior technical leadership across complex water and wastewater projects and programmes.
• Act as a technical authority, providing expert advice, challenge and assurance across projects.
• Lead and assure process designs, calculations, mass balances, hydraulic assessments, treatment evaluations and technical specifications.
• Influence engineering strategy from concept and feasibility through to detailed design, construction and commissioning.
• Provide technical governance, identifying engineering risks and ensuring best practice and appropriate standards are applied.
• Build trusted relationships with senior client stakeholders, acting as a strategic technical adviser.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams and ensure effective integration with civil, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and environmental disciplines.
• Contribute to investment strategies, bids, frameworks and business development opportunities across the UK water sector.
• Identify opportunities for innovation and improved ways of working.
• Mentor and develop senior engineers and future technical leaders, strengthening the wider Process Engineering community.

YOUR IMPACT

Your leadership will help water companies deliver more resilient, efficient and environmentally responsible infrastructure across the UK. You'll influence solutions to complex challenges across treatment performance, environmental standards, asset resilience and long-term investment.

At Senior Principal level, your impact will extend beyond individual projects. You'll help shape engineering strategy, provide technical governance, strengthen client relationships, develop future leaders and contribute to the continued growth and reputation of Stantec's Process Engineering capability.

ABOUT YOU – Essential

• Degree qualified in Chemical or Process Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in process engineering within the water, wastewater, utilities or related sectors.
• Strong technical experience across process design, calculations, mass balances, hydraulic assessments and treatment process evaluation.
• Proven experience providing senior technical leadership and assurance across complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong understanding of water and/or wastewater treatment processes and UK industry requirements.
• Proven ability to influence senior client stakeholders and provide credible technical advice.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Experience contributing to business development, bids, frameworks and growth opportunities.

Desirable

• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (CEng/IEng)
• Membership of a relevant professional institution such as CIWEM, IChemE, ICE or IMechE.
• Experience working with UK water companies and AMP investment programmes.
• Experience in technical governance, assurance or engineering authority.
• Experience across treatment design, asset optimisation, process performance or water resilience.
• Experience developing technical standards, innovative solutions or digital approaches.

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 prohibits 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.

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.