Engineer​/Senior​/Principal Water; Detailed Design​/D&B

Overview

Join Jacobs in Exeter as a Civil Engineer, Senior Civil Engineer, or Principal Civil Engineer – Water (Detailed Design / Design & Build) to lead transformative water and wastewater projects for major UK water companies including United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent Water, and Anglian Water. The role focuses on technical direction, mentorship, and influencing the design and construction of critical infrastructure.

• Lead integrated, multi‑disciplinary design and delivery teams across civil, process, MEICA and construction disciplines.
• Own technical governance, including design reviews, change control, BIM/CDE delivery, and design freeze.
• Act as the senior technical interface with clients, regulators, contractors, and the supply chain.
• Guide projects from concept through to construction and handover.
• Champion safety in design, HAZID/HAZOP, and risk‑based engineering.
• Mentor and develop engineers, shaping standards, capability, and future leaders.

• Safeguard communities and the environment through safe, compliant and buildable designs.
• Drive low‑carbon, sustainable solutions using modern construction methods and digital engineering.
• Shape smarter, safer infrastructure by embedding constructability, operability and CDM best practice.
• Leave a lasting legacy across some of the UK’s most high‑profile water frameworks.

• Extensive experience delivering water and wastewater infrastructure (treatment works, pumping stations, pipelines, MEICA).
• Strong understanding of AMP delivery, water company governance and regulated utilities.
• Proven leadership of multi‑disciplinary teams through design, construction and handover.
• A safety‑led, risk‑based engineering mindset with strong asset lifecycle knowledge.
• Experience using BIM, digital tools and Common Data Environments.
• A degree in Civil Engineering (or similar) and CEng status (or working towards).

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Well‑being benefits and support.
• Global giving and volunteering programme.
• Opportunities to develop in a global, inclusive environment.