Senior Principal Civil Engineer (Water)

Our ambitious growth strategy across the Water division for 2026 and beyond is creating real energy throughout our UK and Ireland teams. By partnering with leading water companies to transform how communities harvest, treat, and distribute clean water, we offer experienced civil engineers a clear pathway into senior project and technical leadership—including structured support to progress into a Senior Principal Civil Engineer role. Whether you are based in Scotland, the South of England, or Ireland, you will join a highly collaborative, cross-regional team that operates across boundaries, pairing local flexibility with national reach and access to some of the sector’s most iconic water projects.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will provide overall technical design leadership across the full project lifecycle, taking schemes from initial needs identification through to detailed design. Leading multidisciplinary project teams, you will manage scoping, oversee complete design deliverables, and ensure projects are executed within established timescales and budgets. In addition to producing and checking complex technical reports, you will work closely with Process and MEICA disciplines, integrate environmental standards such as net-zero carbon into project frameworks, and actively manage and mentor project team members to build strong technical capability.

YOUR IMPACT

In this role, your technical leadership will directly shape the sustainability and resilience of water infrastructure across local communities and national networks. By guiding the design of critical clean and wastewater assets and embedding net-carbon considerations into early project stages, you will turn complex environmental challenges into long-term infrastructure solutions. Furthermore, your mentorship and team management will help develop rising engineering talent, influencing both the built environment and the future technical strength of Stantec's water business.

ABOUT YOU

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering.

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with a relevant engineering institution (such as ICE or CIWEM).

• Extensive civil engineering design experience within the water industry, with a proven track record of managing project deliverables, timescales, and design budgets.

• Practical understanding of Process and MEICA disciplines, as well as awareness of environmental issues including net-zero carbon strategies.

• Experience in producing and checking technical reports, managing project team members, and supporting team development.

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 your continuous technical and leadership growth.

• 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.

#UKCivils #UKwater #AMP8Civils #LI-JW1

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities. 

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities. 

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected]  and we will talk to you about how we can support you.