Wastewater Networks Technical Specialist - Principal to Specialist

Southern Water; Chatham; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Water is recruiting for a Wastewater Networks Technical Specialist at multiple levels (Principal to Specialist) within its Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force. The role focuses on technical credibility, modelling, and delivering spill-reduction interventions as part of AMP8.

The position is permanent with hybrid working (office/site/home). A strong engineering background and experience with analytical tools are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong technical bias with engineering background.
• Experience using analytical tools such as InfoWorks ICM, SQL, R and GIS.
• Knowledge of hydraulic modelling is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Analyse wastewater catchment performance, model scenarios, propose and review technical solutions and monitor performance.
• Contribute to technical design and assurance of the storm overflow programme with input, options, challenge, steer and governance for AMP8 interventions.
• Technical assurance of benefits: design monitoring programmes, modelling and analysis to justify PR24 investment.
• Collaborate with Technical Lead and thought leaders across academia, industry and supply chain.

Skills

Data analytics

Strong technical bias

Challenging colleagues

Education

BEng/MSc in engineering

Tools

InfoWorks ICM

SQL

R

GIS

Job description

Closing Date

2026-10-16

Job Title : Wastewater Networks Technical Specialist (from Principal to Specialist)

Location: Flexible (within our region) - hybrid working - office, site and home based

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: dependent on level (Specialist, Principal) and experience

Join Southern Water’s Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force and play a leading role in delivering one of the UK’s most ambitious environmental programmes.

Storm overflows are very provocative and not acceptable to our customers and stakeholders. We want to lead the charge in resolving the current situation. That’s where our Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force comes in, implementing pioneering and industry-leading solutions to reduce spills and reliance on overflows whilst also enhancing the environment for our communities.

We are recruiting across multiple levels of Wastewater Networks Technical Specialist (from Principal to Specialist) which have been newly created to join our Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force.

About the role

Critical technical roles which ensure we have a technically credible programme of works that deliver the spills reduction, where we need it, at the right pace. The Specialist role will be experienced in wastewater engineering/modelling and contribute to technical expertise. The Principal will provide technical authority, guide programme direction and influence decisions.

What you will be responsible for:

• The role will involve analysing wastewater catchment performance, modelling scenarios, proposing and reviewing technical solutions and monitoring performance.
• Contribute tothe technical design and assurance of the storm overflow programme - provide input, options, challenge, steer and governance to ensure we design & deliver a technically feasible set of interventions for our AMP8 programme.
• Undertake the technical assurance of benefits from the storm overflow programme - design monitoring programmes, conduct modelling & analysis to ensure we measure the benefits of the interventions and justify our PR24 assumption base to secure circa £2billion investment.
• Support innovative approaches for analysis with our Technical Lead and other thought leaders internally, in academia, across the UK water industry and the supply chain.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• You will have a strong technical bias (ideally engineering).
• Experience using a variety of analytical tools\ packages (InfoWorks ICM, SQL, R, GIS)
• You love data and have superior data analytical skills.
• You will have hydraulic modelling experience (highly desirable).
• The ability to challenge colleagues and the supply chain to ensure robust interventions are designed and delivered.
• Degree level technical (BEng \ MSc) qualifications in engineering or equivalent experience.

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.

At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you-even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Additional information

In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK,criminal recordcheck (DBS)and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years.

Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all preemployment checks, including security vetting.

Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also requirehigher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.