Principal Civil Engineer - Water

Our client is a specialist engineering and construction contractor operating across the UK water industry, partnering with major water companies to deliver complex infrastructure solutions. Due to continued growth and company expansion, they are recruiting a Principal Civil Engineer. This is a permanent position with a salary guide up to £80k and will have the opportunity to lead complex design solutions, mentor engineers, and help shape the technical standards of the team, while continuing to develop your own expertise.

This role will be based in our clients’ offices in Manchester, with the opportunity for hybrid or remote working for a strong candidate.

This Principal Civil Engineer role be responsible for leading and overseeing the design of civil engineering on infra and non-infra projects in the waste and clean water industries.

What you’ll be doing:

* Ensure design outputs meet safety and quality standards, approving deliverables including DRAs, reports, and specifications while maintaining compliance with technical, professional, and water industry standards.

* Identify efficient, practical design solutions through scope reviews and site visits, clearly communicating recommendations to clients and internal project teams.

* Lead, mentor, and develop engineers, CAD technicians, and graduates, while providing technical direction and acting as Professional Head or Responsible Engineer where required.

* Manage design processes, including estimating hours, implementing, and recording project changes, and ensuring all work follows formal procedures and governance standards.

* Provide technical leadership across projects and tenders, present designs at key meetings, interpret standards, and drive continuous improvement in engineering practices.

What we’re looking for:

* Significant design experience in the regulated water industry at Senior or Principal engineering level.

* Experienced in carrying out hydraulic calculations and preparing hydraulic profiles.

* Preferably a Chartered Engineer (CEng) and ideally experienced with clean water and wastewater projects.

* Experience with infra and non-infra designs would be very beneficial.

This is a growing engineering consultancy with excellent opportunities for career development, that are offering competitive salaries, a combined pension of 9%, Professional Membership & Chartership mentoring and support for engineers working towards professional accreditation, regular engagement, and appraisals to support with your career progression and regular continuing professional development opportunities with industry specialists.

Hines Consulting is managing all applications for this Principal Civil Engineer vacancy, and we would love to hear from you if you meet the required criteria. If you would like a full job description and overview of my client’s organisation, then please get in touch today with a copy of your latest CV and a member of our team will make contact