At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative wastewater projects and drive sustainable engineering solutions.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming the UK water industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous pension, health benefits, and community volunteering days.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on water sustainability and shape the future of water services.
- Qualifications: MEng/BEng/BSc in Chemical Engineering or related field; Chartered Engineer status required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Falmer, Sussex (must be willing to travel across the patch to attend site visits when required)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37
Salary: Competitive salary - to be discussed at interview stage
About the role: Southern Water is investing heavily in the resilience, quality, and sustainability of our water and wastewater services. We’re driving major transformation across AMP8 and beyond, and we’re looking for a Principal Process Engineer to play a key role in shaping how we deliver cleaner, greener, more efficient solutions for our customers and the environment.
What you will be responsible for:
- Technical Leadership: Lead process design across multiple wastewater schemes, providing expert guidance and approvals. Oversee key technical deliverables, resolve complex issues, and ensure quality, compliance, and value for money.
- Safety & Sustainability: Promote a strong safety culture, develop risk assessments, and ensure designs meet CDM, environmental, and sustainability standards.
- Innovation & Improvement: Drive continuous improvement by challenging existing practices, adopting industry best practice, and championing digital design and standardisation.
- People Leadership: Support, mentor, and develop junior engineers, contribute to recruitment, and foster a culture that encourages innovation and collaboration.
- Financial & Commercial: Assist with business case development, manage design budgets, and influence stakeholders to secure best value.
- Programme & Customer Focus: Ensure design deliverables meet programme, customer, and regulatory expectations, and represent Southern Water at technical events.
What you’ll bring to the role:
- Qualifications: MEng/BEng/BSc or HNC in Chemical Engineering, Environmental, or a related discipline. Chartered Engineer status with a relevant institution is essential.
- Experience: A solid background in delivering water projects in the UK Water Industry, with a deep understanding of engineering principles, commercial operations, and risk management.
- Skills: Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive innovation and manage complex engineering challenges.
- Essential: A full, UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.
Our mission is to protect and enhance life through water—and we need passionate people to help us achieve it. If you’re inspired by our purpose and believe you can contribute, apply today. You don’t need to meet every criterion; what matters most is your drive to make a difference.
Our Commitment to Diversity: We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Additional information: In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all pre‐employment checks, including security vetting.
Interested in the role? We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration. We truly appreciate every application. Please note, that due to the volume of interest, we may not be able to provide personalised feedback to all applicants.
Our Benefits:
- Company and performance-related bonus
- Generous pension
- Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary
- Health benefits through a Cash Plan
- Two paid community volunteering days a year
- 28 days annual holiday
- Occupational health service
- Retail discount app
- We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options
Everybody Welcome: We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to facilitate your participation in the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to let us know.
Need flexibility in your work? Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
Principal Process Engineer in England employer: Southern Water group
Southern Water is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Falmer, Sussex, where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of our mission to enhance water services. With a strong commitment to employee development, we provide opportunities for mentorship, competitive benefits including a generous pension and health plans, and a culture that values diversity and collaboration. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the water industry while enjoying a supportive workplace that encourages professional growth and community involvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Process Engineer in England
✨Get Involved in Local Environmental Initiatives
Dive into your local environmental scenes, like community clean-up projects or eco-focused events. Not only will you meet like-minded people, but it's a surefire way to showcase your passion and skills in environmental engineering tech.
✨Join Industry-Specific Organisations
Check out organisations like the Institution of Environmental Engineers for networking opportunities and resources. They often host events and seminars that can help us connect with key players in the industry, including potential employers like Southern Water group.
✨Show Off Your Projects and Passion
Create a portfolio that highlights any relevant projects, whether it's coursework, internships, or personal initiatives. Share this online, perhaps even on platforms like GitHub or your own website, to grab the attention of hiring managers looking for talent like us.
✨Utilise Environmental Job Boards
Take advantage of niche job boards dedicated to environmental careers. Sites like Green Jobs, Environmental Career and EcoJobs often feature openings from companies like Southern Water group and can help us land that full-time gig.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Process Engineer in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for a role in environmental engineering tech, make sure to highlight your technical skills like CAD software proficiency, data analysis, or modelling techniques. These are essential for the job and should stand out in your CV and cover letter, showing how you can contribute to projects at Southern Water group.
Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability:In this field, showcasing your passion for sustainability and environmental protection can set you apart. Include any relevant projects, volunteer experience, or courses that underline your commitment to these causes. Southern Water group will appreciate candidates who genuinely care about making a difference.
Tailor Your Application to the Role:Don't just send a generic CV and cover letter. Make sure to tailor your application to the specific role of Principal Process Engineer at Southern Water group. Highlight experiences that align directly with the job description and give concrete examples of your work to demonstrate that you’re the right fit for a full-time position.
Include Relevant Certifications:If you have certifications related to environmental engineering or technology, like LEED Accreditation or any relevant software certifications, make sure to mention them. These qualifications can boost your application and show that you’re serious about your professional development in this competitive field.
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water group
✨Brush Up on Environmental Regulations
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest environmental regulations and standards. In an environmental engineering tech role at Southern Water group, you might be asked specific questions about compliance measures, so understanding these will definitely give you an edge.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Prepare to demonstrate your proficiency with relevant tools and software, such as AutoCAD or GIS. You might be given a practical problem to solve during the interview, so it’s a great idea to brush up on these skills and perhaps even bring a portfolio of your projects to showcase your technical prowess.
✨Highlight Your Passion for Sustainability
In a full-time role, employers are looking for commitment and enthusiasm. Share your experiences, studies, or projects that reflect your passion for environmental sustainability. This will show Southern Water group that you're not just qualified but genuinely invested in the field.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Be ready for behavioural questions that assess how you handle teamwork, conflict, and project management. Think of examples from your studies or practical experiences where you tackled challenges effectively, showcasing both your technical and interpersonal skills.
