Principal Wastewater Engineer in Leeds

An established and highly respected Environmental and Engineering Consultancy is seeking a Principal Engineer to help lead and grow its wastewater capability from its Leeds office, with flexibility to work across the wider Yorkshire region. This is a pivotal leadership opportunity for an individual who is motivated by shaping critical UK infrastructure, delivering complex regulated water and wastewater programmes, and building high-performing teams in a collaborative and inclusive environment.

The Consultancy is known for tackling some of the most complex challenges in the water sector, supporting clients across the full project lifecycle from early feasibility and front-end design through to detailed design, construction support and client-side delivery roles. It delivers industry-leading engineering solutions not only within water and wastewater, but also across multiple adjacent sectors, adding value through technical excellence, commercial insight and strong client partnerships. The culture is open, diverse and inclusive, with a genuine belief that everyone has a voice and that the best solutions are achieved by facing client challenges together.

In this role, you will play a vital part in the delivery of transformational programmes for regulated water clients, taking ownership of medium to large wastewater projects that are critical to the UK's infrastructure. You will provide technical and commercial leadership across portfolios of work, shaping strategy, setting pricing approaches, preparing scopes and contributing to bid proposals, while ensuring projects are delivered to agreed programme, budget and quality targets. You will be closely involved in all stages of delivery, from feasibility and front-end studies through design and build and into construction support, ensuring robust governance, quality assurance and risk management throughout.

A key aspect of the position is leadership. You will build, develop and mentor a growing wastewater team, working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple UK offices to deliver integrated design solutions. You will act as a trusted advisor to clients, maintaining strong senior relationships with water companies and stakeholders, and representing the Consultancy through confident, credible technical leadership. Preparing project reports, plans and technical documentation, both for internal governance and external clients, will form part of your day-to-day responsibilities, alongside setting direction and supporting the wider business.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced Technical Director or senior Principal Engineer from a Consultancy or similar professional environment, with a strong track record in regulated water and wastewater delivery. You will bring commercial acumen, a clear understanding of pricing and bidding in the water sector, and demonstrable experience of leading teams and programmes at scale. You will be passionate about the industry, motivated by collaboration and inclusion, and committed to delivering high-quality, sustainable engineering solutions that make a lasting impact.

This is an opportunity to take on a highly influential role within a Consultancy that values its people, invests in talent and is deeply committed to the future of the water sector. Based in Leeds, with opportunities to work across the wider region, the role offers the chance to shape strategy, deliver iconic projects and leave a lasting legacy through both technical excellence and people leadership.