Principal Civil Engineer
Principal Civil Engineer

Principal Civil Engineer

Full-Time 55000 - 65000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
GHD

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead civil engineering projects from design to delivery, focusing on water and infrastructure.
  • Company: Join GHD, a forward-thinking company dedicated to sustainability and community impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, career progression, and a supportive team culture.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with a strong focus on safety, quality, and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the water sector while developing your skills and expertise.
  • Qualifications: 5+ years in civil engineering, ideally with water sector experience and project leadership.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 ÂŁ per year.

London | Hybrid working (2 days per week from home)

At GHD, we’re committed to creating a sustainable future for our communities. As we continue to grow our Water and Infrastructure capability in the UK, we’re looking for a Senior Civil Engineer to join our London team and play a key role in delivering technically excellent, multi‑disciplinary projects across the water and industrial sectors.

About the role

As a Senior Civil Engineer, you’ll contribute to the successful delivery of projects from feasibility through to detailed design, working closely with Project Managers, Design Managers and technical specialists across the business. You’ll take ownership of smaller projects or discrete elements of larger schemes, while also supporting the development of junior engineers. This role offers exposure to a wide variety of projects, including water and wastewater treatment works, pipelines, pumping stations and associated civil and structural infrastructure.

Key responsibilities

  • Lead and deliver civil engineering design from feasibility to detailed design, including calculations and technical inputs
  • Manage and coordinate the preparation of technical drawings, reports and documentation
  • Support the delivery of projects to budget, programme and quality targets
  • Take responsibility for smaller projects or defined elements of larger schemes
  • Assist with financial and commercial management of engineering commissions
  • Mentor and supervise junior engineers, supporting technical development and knowledge sharing
  • Apply relevant British Standards, water industry standards and GHD best practice
  • Work collaboratively within multi‑disciplinary design teams to deliver best‑for‑project outcomes
  • Contribute to a strong safety, quality and performance culture

About you

You’ll be an experienced civil engineer with a strong technical background in the water sector and a collaborative, delivery‑focused mindset. You’ll have:

  • 5+ years’ experience in civil engineering design, ideally within water and/or industrial sectors
  • Experience delivering designs for water retaining structures, treatment works, pipelines, pumping stations and associated infrastructure
  • Strong experience preparing and checking high‑quality calculations, drawings, reports and technical documentation
  • Good understanding of multi‑disciplinary design environments
  • Experience leading projects or technical workstreams
  • Confidence working to British Standards and water industry standards, using industry‑leading analysis and design software

Ideally, you’ll also have:

  • Degree in a relevant engineering discipline
  • Chartered Engineer status with the ICE, or actively working towards chartership
  • Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers
  • Exposure to design & build project environments

Why GHD?

At GHD, we offer more than just a job. You’ll be part of a collaborative, inclusive team that values technical excellence, professional development and wellbeing. We offer:

  • Flexible and hybrid working (2 days per week from home)
  • Meaningful, technically challenging projects across the UK water sector
  • Clear pathways for progression and chartership support
  • A strong focus on safety, quality and sustainability
  • A supportive culture that puts people first

Principal Civil Engineer employer: GHD

At GHD, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer by fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises technical excellence and employee wellbeing. Our London team offers flexible hybrid working arrangements, meaningful projects in the water sector, and clear pathways for professional growth, including chartership support, making it an ideal environment for experienced civil engineers looking to make a significant impact.
GHD

Contact Detail:

GHD Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Civil Engineer

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of landing that Principal Civil Engineer role.

✨Show Off Your Skills

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in civil engineering design and your knowledge of water sector standards. We want to see how you can contribute to our projects!

✨Prepare for Interviews

Do your homework on GHD and the specific projects we’re involved in. Be ready to discuss how your background aligns with our goals, especially in delivering technically excellent projects across the water and industrial sectors.

✨Apply Through Our Website

Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at GHD.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Civil Engineer

Civil Engineering Design
Water Sector Expertise
Technical Documentation Preparation
Project Management
Financial and Commercial Management
Mentoring and Supervising Junior Engineers
Knowledge of British Standards
Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration
High-Quality Calculations
Design Software Proficiency
Experience with Water Retaining Structures
Pipelines and Pumping Stations Design
Feasibility Studies
Quality Assurance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Principal Civil Engineer. Highlight your experience in civil engineering design, especially in the water sector, and showcase any relevant projects you've worked on.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your skills align with GHD's commitment to sustainability and technical excellence.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your proficiency with British Standards and any industry-leading software you’ve used. This is crucial for a role that demands high-quality calculations and technical documentation.

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 GHD!

How to prepare for a job interview at GHD

✨Know Your Projects Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the types of projects GHD is involved in, especially in the water and industrial sectors. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with similar projects, highlighting your role and the outcomes.

✨Brush Up on Technical Standards

Since the role requires a strong understanding of British Standards and water industry standards, take some time to review these. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these standards in your previous work, as this will show your technical competence.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Senior Civil Engineer, mentoring junior engineers is key. Think of examples where you’ve led a team or project, and be ready to share how you supported others’ development. This will demonstrate your collaborative mindset and leadership abilities.

✨Prepare Questions About Company Culture

GHD values a supportive culture that prioritises people. Prepare thoughtful questions about their approach to professional development and team collaboration. This shows your interest in not just the role, but also in being part of their community.

Principal Civil Engineer
GHD

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