Principal Drainage Engineer
Meet Our Recruiter
About the Role
An established and growing multidisciplinary engineering consultancy is seeking a Principal Drainage Engineer to join its Manchester team. Due to continued project wins and an expanding workload across the North West, this is a key hire within the civil engineering team.
This role offers the opportunity to lead drainage and utility design across a diverse portfolio of developments including residential, commercial, industrial, education and urban regeneration schemes. The successful candidate will take ownership of projects from planning through to construction, while also playing an important role in mentoring junior staff and supporting commercial delivery.
This is a genuine leadership opportunity for a strong Senior Engineer looking to step up, or an existing Principal seeking broader responsibility and career progression.
The Role
As Principal Drainage Engineer, you will lead the planning, design and delivery of below ground drainage and associated civil engineering works.
Projects will typically include:
- Greenfield residential developments
- Urban regeneration schemes
- Commercial and industrial developments
- Education facilities
- Mixed use schemes
You will be responsible for managing drainage packages independently, ensuring technical excellence while maintaining commercial and programme control.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Delivery
- Production of Drainage Strategies to support planning applications
- Preparation of Flood Risk Assessments and associated reports
- Detailed design of surface water and foul drainage systems
- Below ground and below slab drainage design and modelling
- Design and integration of Sustainable Drainage Systems in accordance with the SuDS Manual
- Coordination of drainage design with highways, earthworks, utilities and external works
Approvals and Agreements
- Securing S104 adoption agreements
- Securing S106 sewer connection agreements
- Securing S185 diversion agreements
- Managing build over agreements
- Liaison with water authorities, local authorities and statutory bodies
Project and Commercial Management
- Management of project fee, scope and programme
- Resource planning and allocation
- Technical review and quality assurance
- Client management and attendance at project meetings
- Supporting business development and bid submissions where required
Leadership
- Line management and mentoring of engineers and technicians
- Supporting ICE Training Agreement or CIWEM mentoring
- Providing technical guidance across multidisciplinary teams
Experience and Skills Required
- 6 to 10 years post graduate experience within a design consultancy or contracting environment
- Strong background in drainage and utilities design
- Proven experience producing drainage strategies and Flood Risk Assessments
- Experience securing S104, S106, S185 and build over agreements
- Experience across planning, detailed design and construction stages
- Proficiency in design software such as Civil 3D, InfoDrainage, MicroDrainage and similar
- Strong understanding of relevant design standards including Building Regulations, British Standards, SuDS Manual, DMRB and MCHW
- Experience working on both single discipline and multidisciplinary projects
- Confident communicator with strong stakeholder management skills
- Experience procuring and managing surveys and overseeing site activities
- Ability to manage projects independently
Qualifications
- Degree qualified in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
- Chartered or working towards Chartership with ICE or CIWEM
What's on Offer
- Competitive salary with annual review
- 26 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service
- Hybrid working arrangements
- Comprehensive training and development support
- ICE Training Agreement or CIWEM mentoring
- Clear progression pathway with opportunities for advancement
- Exposure to varied and high profile projects
- Supportive and collaborative team environment
This role presents an excellent opportunity for an ambitious drainage engineer looking to take the next step in their career within a forward thinking consultancy environment.
For a confidential discussion or to apply, please get in touch.
