Principal Engineering Manager - water/wastewater

PRINCIPAL ENGINEERING MANAGER
Water and Utilities Engineering
We are recruiting a Principal Engineering Manager to provide strategic technical leadership across complex civil engineering design projects in the water and utilities sector.
The opportunity
You will lead multidisciplinary design teams and act as a technical authority for high-value and high-risk engineering decisions.
Alongside technical assurance, you will align design delivery with programme, commercial and client objectives, develop engineering capability and champion safe, buildable and sustainable solutions.
Key responsibilities
* Set the technical direction for discipline-specific and multidisciplinary design delivery.
* Approve and assure designs, calculations, specifications, technical reports and design risk assessments.
* Act as the technical authority and escalation point for complex or high-risk engineering decisions.
* Support project teams with design planning, sequencing, resource allocation and multidisciplinary coordination.
* Ensure engineering disciplines are properly integrated to produce coordinated and buildable designs.
* Ensure solutions meet agreed programme, budget, quality and client requirements.
* Maintain technical quality and compliance with UK legislation, engineering standards, client specifications and CDM 2015.
* Lead technical assurance activities, including design reviews, HAZID, HAZOP and risk-management processes.
* Promote safe-by-design principles and ensure engineering risks are identified and managed effectively.
* Coach and mentor engineers at all career stages.
* Contribute to capability planning, succession planning and knowledge management.
* Drive digital engineering, automation, low-carbon design, innovation and knowledge sharing.
About you
* An ICE-accredited civil engineering degree or equivalent recognised qualification.
* Chartered Engineer status with ICE, CIWEM or an equivalent professional institution.
* Typically ten to twenty years of civil engineering design experience, including significant water or utilities infrastructure exposure.
* Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams on complex engineering projects.
* In-depth knowledge of relevant UK standards and legislation, including CDM 2015 and applicable water-sector standards.
* The ability to make authoritative technical decisions and produce clear, concise technical reports.
* Strong stakeholder-management, coaching and communication skills.
* Relevant health and safety training, including IOSH Managing Safely.
* Eligibility to obtain the necessary certification for site access.
Desirable experience
* Experience acting as Principal Designer under CDM 2015.
* Strong contractual and commercial knowledge, including NEC forms of contract.
* Experience with BIM processes, Civil 3D or advanced digital engineering tools.
* A full UK driving licence.
Why consider this opportunity?
The role provides the scope to influence technical strategy, improve design assurance and commercial outcomes, and raise engineering standards across major water and utilities programmes.
To apply, submit your CV or contact us for a confidential discussion.