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- Tasks: Lead major water and wastewater projects while mentoring junior engineers.
- Company: Top-tier design-and-build provider in the UK water sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, car allowance, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable engineering solutions and develop your career.
- Qualifications: Strong civil engineering background and experience in water infrastructure.
- Other info: Focus on people development, diversity, and long-term career progression.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: ÂŁ50,000 to ÂŁ65,000 (dependent on experience)
Location: Essex & Suffolk region
Type: Permanent | Hybrid working
About the Role:
Our client is strengthening its engineering capability within the Essex & Suffolk region and is seeking an experienced Principal Civil Engineer to play a key role in delivering major water and wastewater infrastructure programmes. You will work across a diverse portfolio of projects valued at circa £280m, supporting long‑term frameworks in the water sector. Reporting to the Regional Discipline Lead or Senior Design Manager, you’ll take technical ownership of civil designs while mentoring engineers and helping embed best practice across the team. The role is predominantly region‑based, with some initial travel to other UK regions to support onboarding and integration into the wider business.
About the Client:
Our client is a leading integrated design‑and‑build provider operating exclusively in the UK water sector. With a strong regional presence and a track record of delivering complex, regulated infrastructure projects, they focus on practical, sustainable engineering solutions. They place genuine emphasis on people development, diversity, wellbeing, and long‑term career progression – not just delivery metrics.
Key Responsibilities:
- Produce cost‑effective, buildable civil design layouts that meet specification and commissioning requirements
- Consider full whole‑life and out‑turn costs, including design, materials, construction, and interdisciplinary impacts
- Apply standard practices wherever possible to maintain efficiency and competitiveness
- Support bid and proposal development with estimates and technical input
- Ensure designs are fully coordinated with all internal and external disciplines
- Develop, review, and maintain engineering procedures and processes
- Maintain accurate design records and documentation throughout project lifecycles
- Champion customer satisfaction across all stakeholders
- Supervise, mentor, and develop junior and mid‑level engineers
- Ensure all designs fully comply with environmental, health, and safety requirements
- Promote safe working practices and continuous improvement across the team
What Our Client is Looking For:
- Strong technical grounding across civil engineering disciplines including structures, geotechnics, hydraulics, and environmental engineering
- Solid knowledge of CDM 2015 roles and responsibilities
- Working knowledge of UK water industry standards and legislation
- Proven experience delivering water and wastewater treatment infrastructure
- Experience managing and developing engineering teams
- Chartered or working towards chartership with a recognised professional institution
- Relevant civil or related engineering degree
- Ability to rationalise designs and develop efficient plant layouts
- Confident communicator able to present technical proposals clearly
- Strong IT skills and a full UK driving licence
- Flexible, analytical mindset with the ability to manage complex data sets
What Our Client Offers:
- Competitive salary package
- Hybrid working (role‑dependent)
- Car or car allowance (role‑dependent)
- 25 days annual leave plus
Principal Civil Engineer in London employer: Advance Training & Recruitment Services
Contact Detail:
Advance Training & Recruitment Services Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Civil Engineer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the civil engineering field, attend industry events, and join relevant online forums. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your best projects and achievements in civil engineering. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use this as a visual aid to demonstrate your skills and experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Before any interviews, do some mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your technical knowledge and how it aligns with the role of Principal Civil Engineer. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a streamlined application process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to exciting projects in the water sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Civil Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Civil Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in water and wastewater infrastructure, and don’t forget to showcase your technical skills in civil engineering disciplines.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your experience with managing teams and delivering complex projects, and show your enthusiasm for working in the water sector.
Showcase Your Achievements: When filling out your application, be sure to include specific examples of your past successes. Whether it’s a project you led or a problem you solved, quantifying your achievements can really make you stand out.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Training & Recruitment Services
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Principal Civil Engineer, you’ll need to showcase your strong technical grounding. Brush up on key civil engineering disciplines like structures, geotechnics, and hydraulics. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these skills, as well as any relevant UK water industry standards.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves mentoring junior engineers, so be prepared to talk about your experience in team management. Share examples of how you've developed others and promoted best practices within your team. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and lead by example.
✨Understand the Client's Values
Familiarise yourself with the client’s emphasis on people development, diversity, and wellbeing. During the interview, express how these values resonate with you and provide examples of how you've contributed to a positive team culture in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and decision-making skills. Think of scenarios where you had to rationalise designs or manage complex data sets. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses clearly and effectively.
