Principal Hydraulic Engineer in England

Where strategy meets success, join our team.

About us

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Car cash allowance - £5,000
• Up to 20% performance‑related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company‑funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Job Purpose

Are you a water hydraulics specialist looking for a fulfilling career where your expertise can make a real difference in both the environment and society? If so, United Utilities (UU) has an exceptional opportunity for you to join our Hydraulic Engineering team based in Warrington, Cheshire.

As Principal Hydraulic Engineer, you will play a key leadership role within United Utilities, providing expert Hydraulic Engineering guidance across the organisation. You’ll take ownership of a specific delivery area, working closely with internal clients and external partners, while fostering strong collaborative relationships. In this position, you will lead and support hydraulic engineering initiatives across our Commercial, Engineering, and Capital Delivery functions, ensuring seamless alignment with business goals.

You will collaborate directly with the Chief Engineer, while also managing and guiding a team of talented technical professionals within the UU Engineering Discipline. Mentoring and supervising developing engineers across the business will also be a crucial part of your role, enabling you to share your knowledge and grow future leaders in the field of hydraulic engineering.

Beyond managing teams, you’ll be responsible for identifying key challenges, crafting forward‑thinking strategies, and driving the prioritisation of innovative solutions. Building and nurturing relationships with critical internal and external stakeholders will be essential, as these partnerships will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of our hydraulic engineering initiatives and strategies.

We value flexibility and believe in a healthy work‑life balance. With our hybrid working model, you’ll have the opportunity to work remotely, while also spending at least three days per week at our Lingley Mere site in Warrington. This allows for important face‑to‑face collaboration with your team. In addition, some travel to other sites across the North West will be required, particularly in the early stages of your role to help you fully integrate with the team.

At United Utilities, we provide a dynamic and supportive environment that encourages both professional and personal growth. As part of our team, you’ll have the chance to enhance your skills and contribute to impactful projects that benefit the entire North West of England. If you are passionate about leading change, driving sustainable projects, and shaping the future of hydraulic engineering, we encourage you to apply and become a valued member of the United Utilities family.

What you will be doing

• Clear technical requirements
• Extensive experience of Water and Wastewater treatment works hydraulics.
• Ability to apply fundamental hydraulic engineering principles.
• A thorough understanding transient analysis.
• Working knowledge of MCerts, permits etc.

Tools, software, modelling platforms

• Experience of using Hades, Bentley Hammer and KYpipe - beneficial but not essential.

Types of assets they will work on

• Water and Wastewater treatment works and Networks.

Scale of responsibility

• Responsible for hydraulic problem solving, hydraulic analysis and design.
• Required to provide cost and time estimates for input to projects and then tracking and monitoring progress and achieving deadlines with quality deliverables.
• Building relationships with clients, keeping stakeholders informed and being an integral key member of the hydraulics team enabling growth.
• Required to mentor, guide and technically grow the wider team and their direct reports.

What makes this role different from similar roles in consultancies

• As a client team we have direct ownership of the problem or design, and are involved throughout the project lifecycle.
• We are the first port of call during operational incidents, providing support wherever / whenever needed.

What we are looking for

• Chartered engineer
• Strong technical competence, leadership skills and demonstrable track history delivering capital and strategic projects and providing operational support and influencing technical solutions
• Experience in leading successful discipline teams in highly technical and commercial environments and an ability to build and develop high performing, successful collaborative relationships.
• Hold a current UK/EU driving licence.

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications

• Engineering Degree and Chartered status

Other

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.