Principal Civil Engineer

Leeds

Flexible Working | Hybrid Options | Employee-Owned Consultancy

Looking for a Principal Civil Engineering role where you can get involved in genuinely interesting projects, have a real influence on how they're delivered and work for a business that gives you the freedom to do your job properly?

I'm recruiting for an established, employee-owned engineering and environmental Consultancy in Leeds that's looking to bring an experienced Principal Civil Engineer into its team.

This is a business with a fantastic reputation across flood risk management, water infrastructure, river engineering and environmental improvement. They've spent decades helping clients tackle complex engineering challenges, combining traditional Civil Engineering with specialist environmental knowledge, advanced modelling and increasingly innovative approaches to design.

What makes the opportunity particularly interesting is the breadth of work. You could be overseeing the design of a major flood defence scheme, developing infrastructure associated with reservoirs or pumping stations, or helping deliver river restoration projects that combine engineering with environmental enhancement.

It's a refreshing alternative to working on the same type of development or infrastructure scheme year after year, and you'll have the opportunity to work alongside some highly regarded specialists from across the industry.

This is a position for someone who enjoys taking ownership of projects and wants to be involved in the bigger picture, rather than simply being responsible for producing and checking designs.

You’ll act as a technical lead across a range of Civil Engineering schemes, working closely with project managers, designers, environmental consultants, hydrologists, hydraulic modellers and other engineering disciplines to develop practical, sustainable solutions.

Projects will vary considerably in size and complexity, with your involvement covering everything from initial feasibility and options assessments through to detailed design, technical specifications, tender documentation and construction support.

You’ll also have the opportunity to build relationships with clients, including the Environment Agency, water companies, local authorities and other public and private sector organisations.

Alongside technical delivery, you’ll take responsibility for managing resources, monitoring budgets, maintaining design standards and ensuring projects meet the relevant safety, quality and regulatory requirements, including CDM.

There's a strong leadership element too. You’ll be supporting and developing Engineers within the team, providing technical guidance, reviewing work and helping less experienced colleagues build their confidence and professional capabilities.

As a Principal, you’ll also be encouraged to contribute ideas, support tender submissions and help identify new opportunities for the business.

It’s a role where your experience and opinions will be valued, and where you’ll have the freedom to influence how projects are approached.

We’re keen to speak with experienced Civil Engineers who have developed a strong technical foundation within a design consultancy and are now looking for a position offering greater responsibility, variety and professional influence.

A background in flood risk management, river engineering, drainage, water infrastructure, coastal engineering or other civil infrastructure projects would be particularly useful.

You’ll ideally have experience of leading design packages or projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and communicating directly with clients and stakeholders.

From a technical perspective, experience of civil…