Principal / Associate Drainage Engineer (Development)

Overview

In this role you lead day-to-day technical delivery of civil engineering consultancy across feasibility to construction, guiding drainage, flood risk, highways and utilities for land and infrastructure projects. You’ll provide project leadership on multidisciplinary efforts and mentor a diverse technical team. You will engage clients and stakeholders, ensuring delivery within budget, schedule and quality. This role sits in a high-performing Development team that values sustainability and cross-functional collaboration, offering a clear path to Chartership and professional growth.

Pay / Benefits

• Work-life balance
• Hybrid working policy (home 2 days/week)
• Inclusive andBelonging culture
• Thrive health and wellbeing programme
• Virtual GP service
• Gymflex scheme (up to 40% off gym memberships)

Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery across feasibility, concept design, planning, detailed design and construction stages
• Provide expertise in drainage, SuDS, flood risk, highways, streetscape, earthworks and utilities for development projects
• Act as Project Manager on multiple multidisciplinary projects and guide junior staff
• Engage with clients and stakeholders; collaborate with internal and external design teams
• Ensure delivery on budget, programme and technical/legal compliance
• Prepare infrastructure masterplans, site appraisals, technical reports and construction drawings
• Coordinate with highway, water, statutory authorities for approvals and agreements
• Apply knowledge of planning/design processes, adoption and contract procedures for sewers, SuDS and utilities
• Support business development and contribute to continuous improvement within the Development team

Key requirements

• Experience in highway design, drainage strategies, flood risk assessments and utility design
• Design experience focused on development sector (drainage, flood risk, highways, earthworks, utilities)
• Knowledge of hydraulics, hydrology, geotechnics and building structures (desirable)
• Ability to produce masterplans, site appraisals, technical reports, design calculations and construction drawings
• Familiarity with design codes (Water UK Sewerage Sector Guidance, DMRB, Manual for Streets, Local Authority Design Guidance, SuDS Manual) and contract documentation
• Software proficiency in MicroDrainage, InfoDrainage, Civils 3D and/or PDS
• Experience liaising with clients, co-professionals and authorities to secure approvals
• Understanding of legal processes, planning/design consents, and adoption/contract procedures for sewers, SuDS, highways and utilities
• Knowledge of financial and contractual aspects of planning, bidding and delivering projects
• Postgraduate (or equivalent) experience; nearing Chartership or equivalent commercial responsibility
• Willingness to pursue ICE Supervising or Delegated Civil Engineer (SCE/DE) status
• Commitment to training and developing junior team members

• Stakeholder management
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Effective communication and collaboration
• Highway design
• Drainage and flood risk design (SuDS)
• Utility design and planning

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