At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative urban drainage projects and improve water quality across the UK.
- Company: Join Stantec, a top-rated sustainable company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a growing team with excellent career growth and support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on environmental challenges while shaping future leaders.
- Qualifications: Degree in Civil Engineering or related field; experience in urban drainage modelling required.
The predicted salary is between 60750 - 74250 £ per year.
At Stantec, we are already delivering on the challenges of AMP8, with our Southern urban drainage team playing a key role in shaping how the UK tackles storm overflow reduction, water quality improvement and urban resilience. We are seeking a Principal Urban Drainage Modeller to join our expanding network across Brighton, London, Ashford and Southampton.
You will join a highly collaborative, 175-strong interdisciplinary team working across the UK and Ireland, as well as with our global colleagues in Pune. Our work sits at the forefront of the industry’s digital transformation, combining traditional modelling expertise with smart applications and data-driven solutions that directly improve environmental performance and support long-term investment planning.
This is an opportunity to help lead a growing portfolio of high-profile wastewater and urban drainage programmes while influencing how we evolve our technical capability across the AMP cycle. You will be part of a team where innovation is actively encouraged, and where your ideas can directly shape how we deliver for our clients and the environment.
About the Role
As a Principal Urban Drainage Modeller, you will provide technical leadership across complex wastewater and urban drainage projects, with a strong focus on storm overflows, flooding and water quality improvement.
- Lead the technical delivery of urban drainage and wastewater modelling projects across major UK water frameworks.
- Provide technical governance and sign-off for modelling outputs and project deliverables.
- Develop and apply innovative modelling approaches, working closely with digital and data specialists.
- Plan, programme and coordinate project delivery, including input into cost estimation and resourcing.
- Act as a line manager and mentor, supporting the development of junior and senior engineers.
- Engage directly with clients, contributing to technical discussions, workshops and long-term solution development.
Your Impact
Your leadership will directly influence how our clients respond to some of the most pressing challenges in the water sector, including storm overflow reduction, climate resilience and environmental compliance. Your work will help shape investment decisions that improve water quality and deliver lasting benefits for communities across the South of England.
Beyond project delivery, you will play a key role in developing technical capability within the team, embedding best practice and supporting the growth of future leaders. Your contribution will also help accelerate the adoption of digital modelling tools and smarter, data-led approaches across our business, strengthening Stantec’s position as a leader in urban drainage innovation.
About You
Essential
- Degree qualified in Civil Engineering, Geography or a related discipline.
- Extensive experience delivering and leading urban drainage modelling projects.
- Strong technical expertise in wastewater modelling and InfoWorks ICM (or equivalent).
- Proven experience providing technical leadership and quality assurance.
- Experience managing, mentoring and developing technical teams.
- Strong client-facing and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience supporting project planning, programming and delivery.
- Membership of a relevant professional institution (e.g. ICE or CIWEM).
Desirable
- Chartered Engineer status or working towards Chartership.
- Experience working on UK water company frameworks (AMP cycles).
- Experience with digital modelling tools, automation or data analytics.
Why Join Us
We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network.
Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.
Join us and help shape the future of urban drainage across the South of England.
Principal Urban Drainage Modeller in Surrey employer: Stantec
Stantec is an exceptional employer that empowers its employees to make a significant impact in the energy sector through innovative projects like hydropower and energy building design. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a collaborative work culture, Stantec fosters an environment where engineers can thrive and grow their careers while contributing to meaningful change in the industry.
