Principal Process Engineer in Derby

Working here isn’t just a job. You can advance your career at Avove, and we’ll reward you with a range of benefits that recognise great work. We provide full training and continuous development to help you reach your potential. We strive to create an inclusive working environment where everyone can be themselves. Join us and take the next step towards a fulfilling career.

About the role

Due to continued growth, Avove is seeking a Senior Process Engineer to join our expanding Design team. You will deliver the process design for water and wastewater projects as part of a multi‑disciplinary Water Design Team. Working across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design for construction, you will develop robust process solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of practical and compliant process engineering solutions aligned with project scope and client requirements.
• Deliver process design outputs, including calculations, flow and mass balances, and process flow diagrams.
• Contribute to P&IDs, control philosophies and commissioning strategies.
• Analyse site and sampling data to inform robust process design decisions.
• Work collaboratively within a multi‑disciplinary design team, clearly communicating process design intent.
• Prepare and review technical reports, specifications and supplier documentation.
• Apply sound knowledge of water industry standards, regulatory and non‑regulatory requirements.
• Lead or contribute to process safety studies including SWIFT, HAZOP, LOPA and DSEAR studies and ensure outcomes are embedded within the design.
• Undertake site visits, process surveys and provide process support during construction and commissioning.
• Engage effectively with clients, contractors and suppliers.
• Promote health, safety, environmental and sustainable considerations within designs.
• Support project delivery with awareness of programme, budget and resource constraints.
• Keep up to date with industry best practice and technical innovation.
• Provide supervision and mentoring to early‑career engineers.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Demonstrable experience in the design and optimisation of water and/or wastewater treatment processes, from concept through to detailed design and delivery support.
• Experience of working on site, including site surveys, process optimisation and commissioning activities.
• Experience of contributing to or leading process safety studies, DSEAR experience desirable.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, high‑quality technical reports.
• Collaborative team player, able to provide process engineering leadership within a multi‑disciplinary team while meeting project deadlines.
• Proactive approach to professional development and continuous technical improvement.
• Degree (or equivalent) in a process‑related engineering discipline.
• Membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g. IChemE or CIWEM), or willingness to obtain membership.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards chartership.

Please note that candidates with qualifications that do not fully match the above criteria but have relevant equivalent experience are invited to apply.

What’s in it for you…

• We offer a rewarding salary that is tailored to your skills and experience.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
• Company car or car allowance.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life assurance.
• Family friendly policies.
• A selection of lifestyle benefit options.
• Financial wellbeing programme.
• Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues.
• Volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving.

About us:

We design, build and maintain the UK’s utilities infrastructure to help transform local communities for the better. We provide cutting-edge and sustainable engineering solutions and play a critical role in helping to keep the water running, the lights on and people connected. We are an expert, responsible and agile partner, providing vital services to water and power sectors.

We are an equal opportunities employer: We welcome applications from candidates of all races, genders, disabilities, religions, ages and sexual orientations. We know that having a diverse workforce encourages new perspectives, inspires creativity and creates an engaging workplace and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues can thrive.

What next: We encourage you to apply for this role as soon as you can. We recognise talent waits for no one, so we progress candidates individually through all stages of recruitment process.