Principal Civil Engineer

Advance Training & Recruitment Services; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - GBP 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technical consultancy is seeking a Principal Civil Engineer based in the UK. The role involves leading civil engineering design for water infrastructure projects, mentoring junior engineers, and managing multidisciplinary teams. Candidates should hold a relevant degree and have significant post-graduate experience. The position offers a competitive salary of £50,000 to £65,000, hybrid working options, and a strong focus on professional development and career progression.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid working

Ongoing professional development

Supportive culture

Career progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience working on water sector projects.
• Significant post-graduate experience in civil engineering.
• Understanding of sustainable engineering practices.

Responsibilities

• Deliver civil engineering design solutions.
• Lead multidisciplinary water sector projects.
• Manage programmes and workloads.
• Liaise with clients and contractors.
• Promote health, safety, and sustainability.
• Support and mentor junior engineers.

Skills

Civil engineering degree or equivalent experience

Chartered or Incorporated status

Post-graduate experience in civil engineering

Technical design skills

Written and verbal communication skills

Proactive and collaborative approach

Education

Relevant civil engineering degree

Tools

CAD

Revit

BIM software

Job description

Job Title: Principal Civil Engineer

Salary: £50,000 to £65,000 (dependent on experience)

Location: Swindon, Croydon, Exeter, Manchester, Sunderland

Type: Permanent | Full-time | Hybrid

About the Role:

Our client is seeking an experienced Principal Civil Engineer to join their well-established Water Sector team. You’ll be based from one of several UK offices and will work as part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary group of Engineers and Technicians delivering high-quality water infrastructure projects across the UK.

This is a senior technical role offering real responsibility and influence. You’ll lead civil design delivery, support project teams, and mentor developing engineers, all within a flexible environment that supports career progression at a pace aligned to your development.

About the Client:

Our client is a long-established specialist advisory and technical consultancy operating across the built and natural environment. They deliver sustainable, commercially aware solutions across infrastructure, buildings, and regeneration for both public and private sector clients.

With a strong heritage and future-focused ownership, the business is committed to environmental responsibility, innovation, and long-term social impact, contributing directly to sustainability and climate-focused initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver civil engineering design solutions in line with client requirements and relevant standards
• Lead and contribute to multidisciplinary water sector projects, from optioneering through to detailed design
• Manage programmes, plans, and workloads to meet deadlines and quality assurance standards
• Liaise with clients, contractors, and third parties as required
• Promote health, safety, welfare, and environmental sustainability across all areas of work
• Support and mentor Engineers and Technicians within the team

What Our Client is Looking For:

• Relevant civil engineering degree or equivalent experience
• Chartered or Incorporated status, or actively working towards this
• Significant post-graduate experience in civil engineering
• Experience working on water sector projects (client or contractor side)
• Strong technical design across a range of project sizes
• Clear and confident written and verbal communication skills
• Motivated, proactive, and collaborative approach

Desirable:

• Experience using CAD / Revit and a working knowledge of BIM
• Understanding of sustainable engineering practices
• Experience with hydraulic calculations and related software

What Our Client Offers:

• Competitive salary of £50,000-£65,000 plus a strong benefits package
• Hybrid working with genuine flexibility to support work-life balance
• Supportive, inclusive culture with a focus on wellbeing
• Ongoing professional development and structured career progression
• Opportunity to work on nationally significant water infrastructure projects

Eligibility:

• Right to work in the UK
• Full UK driving licence

Opportunity for Growth:

This role offers long-term career progression within a consultancy that actively invests in its people. You’ll have the freedom to shape your career, develop both technically and professionally, and make a meaningful impact on projects that benefit communities across the UK.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.