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- Tasks: Lead major water and wastewater projects while mentoring junior engineers.
- Company: A top-tier design-and-build provider in the UK water sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and health insurance.
- Why this job: Shape engineering standards and make a real impact in sustainable infrastructure.
- Qualifications: Strong civil engineering background and experience in water treatment projects.
- Other info: Great career progression opportunities in a diverse and supportive environment.
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 bank holidays
- Option to buy up to 5 additional days’ holiday
- Pension contribution scheme
- Life assurance
- Health and private medical insurance
- Additional benefits including cycle‑to‑work scheme, discount platforms, and family perks
Eligibility: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and be willing to travel regionally as required.
Opportunity for Growth: This is a senior, visible role within a growing regional programme, offering long‑term career progression, leadership responsibility, and the chance to shape engineering standards across major UK water frameworks. 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.
Principal Civil Engineer 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the civil engineering field, especially those who work in water and wastewater projects. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and recent industry trends. We recommend practising common interview questions related to civil engineering and being ready to discuss your past projects in detail.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your mentoring skills! Since the role involves supervising junior engineers, be prepared to share examples of how you've supported others in their development. This will highlight your leadership potential.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Civil Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Civil Engineer role. Highlight your experience in water and wastewater infrastructure, and don’t forget to showcase your technical skills across 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 your commitment to best practices in engineering.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past projects, focus on your achievements. Quantify your contributions where possible, like cost savings or efficiency improvements, to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get you started on your journey with us!
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 across civil engineering disciplines. Brush up on key areas like structures, geotechnics, and hydraulics. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied this knowledge.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role involves mentoring junior engineers, so be prepared to talk about your experience in team management and development. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or improved processes in previous roles.
✨Understand the Client's Values
Familiarise yourself with the client's emphasis on people development, diversity, and wellbeing. During the interview, highlight how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to a positive team culture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to manage complex data sets. Think of scenarios where you've had to rationalise designs or develop efficient plant layouts, and be ready to explain your thought process.
