Wastewater Network Specialists - Principal to Specialist in Chatham

Location: Flexible (within our region) – hybrid working – office, site and home based

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37, Monday to Friday

Salary: to be discussed at screening stage

Storm overflows are very provocative and not acceptable to our customers and stakeholders. We want to lead the charge in resolving the current situation. That’s where our Clean Rivers & Seas Task Force comes in, implementing pioneering and industry-leading solutions to reduce spills and reliance on overflows whilst also enhancing the environment for our communities. Currently delivering a £1.5 billion programme over the next 10 years, we are now expanding the team to continue to work in partnership to deliver a larger programme of sustainable and innovative interventions to reduce the use of storm overflows.

About the role:

A critical technical role in the clean rivers and seas task force which ensures we have a technically creditable programme of works that delivers the spills reduction, where we need it, at the right pace.

What you will be responsible for:

• The role will involve analysing wastewater catchment performance, modelling scenarios, proposing and reviewing technical solutions and monitoring performance.
• You will contribute to the technical design and assurance of the storm overflow programme – provide input, options, challenge, steer and governance to ensure we design & deliver a technically feasible set of interventions for our AMP8 programme.
• You will undertake the technical assurance of benefits from the storm overflow programme – design monitoring programmes, conduct modelling & analysis to ensure we measure the benefits of the interventions and justify our PR24 assumption base to secure circa £2 billion investment.
• You will support innovative approaches for analysis with our Technical Lead and other thought leaders internally, in academia, across the UK water industry and the supply chain.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• You will have a strong technical bias (ideally engineering).
• You have superior data analytical skills.
• You will have hydraulic modelling experience (highly desirable).
• A can-do attitude and can overcome complex challenges and obstacles.
• Can challenge colleagues and the supply chain to ensure robust interventions are designed and delivered.
• You will have 5-10 years’ technical experience in Wastewater networks.
• Experience with a variety of analytical tools/packages (ICM, SQL, R, …).
• Degree level technical (BEng/MSc) qualifications in engineering.

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8 billion planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation.

At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.

If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself.

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. Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation.