Principal Civil Design Engineer

Job Title:

Principal Civil Engineer

Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 (dependent on experience)

Location:

Exeter, Manchester, Croydon

Type:
Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid working

This is a Principal Civil Engineer position within a multidisciplinary water sector team delivering complex infrastructure design projects across the UK. You will take a leading role in managing technical delivery across optioneering, outline, and detailed design stages, ensuring high-quality outputs that meet client and regulatory standards.

You will also support and guide a team of engineers and technicians while working closely with major UK water utilities and contractor partners on large-scale infrastructure schemes.

Our client is a long-established multidisciplinary consultancy operating across the built and natural environment. They deliver engineering and advisory services across infrastructure, buildings, and regeneration, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, technical excellence, and long-term environmental impact.

Their work supports major UK water companies and infrastructure programmes, contributing to nationally significant environmental and engineering outcomes.

• Lead technical delivery of civil engineering design across water sector projects
• Oversee optioneering, outline, and detailed design activities
• Ensure all work meets relevant standards, client expectations, and quality assurance requirements
• Manage and coordinate project plans, schedules, and deliverables
• Engage directly with clients, contractors, and third parties
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians
• Promote health, safety, welfare, and environmental best practice across all work
• Support multidisciplinary collaboration across design teams

• Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent experience
• Significant post-graduate experience in civil engineering design
• Experience with in the UK water sector (strong preference)
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership
• Strong leadership and communication skills
• Experience managing or supporting project teams
• Strong understanding of CAD/Revit and BIM environments
• Knowledge of sustainable engineering practices
• Experience with hydraulic calculations and design processes
• Full UK driving licence

• Competitive salary (£60,000 – £70,000) and benefits package
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Opportunity to lead major UK infrastructure projects
• Strong support for professional development and chartership progression
• Collaborative and technically strong team environment
• Inclusive culture with wellbeing focus
• Long-term career progression within a growing consultancy

• Must have the right to work in the UK

This role offers a clear pathway into senior leadership within the infrastructure and water sector, with scope to influence technical direction, mentor developing engineers, and take ownership of high-profile UK projects.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.