As investment in the UK water sector accelerates, delivering reliable, high-performing clean water treatment and supply infrastructure has never been more important. At Stantec, our Process Engineering teams are helping water companies strengthen resilience, improve treatment performance and secure sustainable drinking water supplies for the communities they serve.
We’re looking for a Senior Principal Process Engineer – Clean Water to join our growing teams in London, High Wycombe, Reading, Brighton, Southampton or Cambridge. This is an opportunity to take a leading role in shaping clean water process engineering across major infrastructure and treatment programmes, bringing together technical expertise, strategic thinking and a passion for engineering excellence.
You’ll work across projects involving water treatment works, treatment process upgrades, asset optimisation and network resilience, helping clients address increasingly complex challenges around water quality, capacity and security of supply. Alongside providing technical authority, you’ll influence investment decisions, develop client relationships and play a key role in growing our clean water capability across the UK.
ABOUT THE ROLE
As a Senior Principal Process Engineer, you’ll provide strategic and technical leadership across clean water projects, guiding process solutions from early feasibility and optioneering through detailed design, delivery and operational optimisation.
You will:
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Lead the development and assurance of clean water treatment process designs, including treatment selection, process calculations, mass balances, hydraulic assessments and technical specifications.
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Provide technical authority on treatment processes such as clarification, filtration, disinfection and other treatment technologies appropriate to raw water quality and regulatory requirements.
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Guide the development and optimisation of water treatment works, including capacity upgrades, process improvements, asset replacement and resilience schemes.
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Oversee technical assessments relating to drinking water quality, treatment performance, process efficiency and security of supply.
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Provide senior technical oversight across multidisciplinary projects, ensuring process solutions are safe, robust, sustainable and deliverable.
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Support feasibility studies, optioneering, investment planning, design reviews, commissioning and operational performance investigations.
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Build trusted relationships with clients, providing strategic advice on treatment challenges, infrastructure investment and long-term asset performance.
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Lead and mentor engineers, strengthen technical standards and support succession planning within the Process Engineering community.
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Contribute to business development, bids, framework delivery and the continued expansion of Stantec’s clean water portfolio.
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Champion innovation, low-carbon solutions and continuous improvement across clean water process engineering.
YOUR IMPACT
Your expertise will help shape the future of clean water infrastructure, supporting the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water and more resilient treatment assets for communities across the UK. Through your technical leadership, you’ll help clients make informed investment decisions, improve treatment performance and develop solutions that respond to changing water quality, capacity and climate resilience challenges.
At Senior Principal level, your influence will extend across projects, clients and teams. You’ll act as a trusted technical authority, support the development of future engineering leaders and help establish best practice across our clean water work. Your contribution to client relationships, strategic planning and business growth will also play an important role in strengthening Stantec’s position in the UK water sector.
ABOUT YOU
Essential
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Degree qualified in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related discipline.
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Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent professional registration, with a relevant professional institution.
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Extensive experience delivering process engineering within the water sector, with a strong focus on clean water treatment and drinking water infrastructure.
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In-depth technical knowledge of water treatment processes, process design, calculations, treatment performance and engineering assurance.
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Proven experience providing technical leadership on complex, multidisciplinary water infrastructure projects.
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Experience guiding projects through feasibility, optioneering, detailed design and delivery, with an understanding of operational and regulatory requirements.
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Strong leadership and mentoring skills, with the ability to develop technical capability and influence engineering teams.
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Excellent client engagement, communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to provide clear technical advice at a senior level.
Desirable
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Experience across a range of clean water treatment technologies, treatment works upgrades and asset optimisation programmes.
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Knowledge of UK drinking water quality requirements, regulatory drivers and water sector investment planning.
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Experience supporting commissioning, process performance testing, operational investigations and treatment optimisation.
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Experience contributing to framework delivery, bids, strategic business development and long-term client relationships.
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A track record of developing technical standards, promoting innovation and implementing sustainable engineering solutions.
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Experience leading teams, developing emerging technical leaders and supporting the growth of a process engineering discipline.
WHY JOIN US
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We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
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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.
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We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
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We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).
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Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
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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.
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Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.
If you’re ready to shape the future of clean water engineering, influence major infrastructure investment and provide technical leadership within a growing team, we’d love to hear from you.