Principal Drainage Engineer

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to influence the future of transport infrastructure by delivering drainage solutions that are resilient, sustainable, and ready for the challenges of tomorrow. You’ll shape key design decisions, mentor emerging engineers, and collaborate with specialists across the globe to push what’s possible in highway and rail drainage design. Your work will directly improve safety, connectivity, and environmental outcomes for millions of people — leaving a tangible legacy across some of the UK’s most ambitious and transformative infrastructure programmes.

This role can be based out of either our Manchester, Birmingham Leeds or London offices.

Step into a role where your drainage expertise shapes some of the most influential transport projects in the UK. As a Senior Drainage Engineer, you’ll work at the heart of nationally significant programmes across highways and rail—partnering with clients such as National Highways, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, the Welsh Government, HS2 Ltd, major contractors, and Local Authorities.

Joining Jacobs means becoming part of a high‑performing, highly respected UK Transportation team—a team known for delivering complex, high‑profile projects that genuinely make a difference to communities and infrastructure across the country.

You’ll be a key player in our global drainage delivery network, helping drive innovative, sustainable drainage solutions through every stage of multidisciplinary project development. From early concept design through to detailed delivery, your technical leadership will help shape the next generation of transportation infrastructure.

• Deliver high‑quality drainage designs and technical solutions across feasibility, detailed design, and contract documentation stages.
• Lead and contribute to multidisciplinary collaboration, liaising with clients, stakeholders, and other technical teams to ensure integrated project delivery.
• Drive project performance by monitoring progress, forecasting costs, and supporting programme and budget management.
• Champion innovation and best value, identifying opportunities to improve design efficiency, sustainability, and delivery methods.
• Ensure compliance and quality, fulfilling CDM Designer responsibilities and upholding Jacobs’ quality management systems.

• A degree in Civil Engineering or similar discipline
• Chartered or working towards Chartered or Incorporated status
• Working knowledge of H&S legislation
• Ability using drainage modelling software and tools
• Experience delivering at variety of scheme stages for drainage and/or transportation projects
• Understanding of DMRB and/or UK rail standards, SuDS Manual and other standards and areas not covered by standards in related to area of expertise.
• Proven experience in design of highway drainage systems and construction of highway drainage schemes.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space…