Principal Civil Engineer - Water

At Stantec, our UK and Ireland Water teams are transforming how communities obtain, clean, and distribute water. As we embark on major capital investment programmes across AMP8, we are seeking Principal Civil Engineers to take a leading role across our iconic regional and national portfolios. Whether you are based in Scotland, the South of England, or Ireland, you will join a highly collaborative, cross-regional team that combines local delivery with nationwide technical strength. This is a high-visibility leadership opportunity designed for senior technical professionals looking to drive innovation, champion sustainable water management, and inspire the next generation of engineering talent.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will provide overall design leadership across the entire project lifecycle, driving complex clean and wastewater projects from initial needs identification and feasibility through to outline and detailed design. You will take full responsibility for technical quality, project deliverables, schedules, and design budgets while leading multi-disciplinary engineering teams. Functioning as a technical focal point and leader, you will collaborate with key water clients, foster cross-disciplinary innovation, and directly mentor junior engineers and graduates to build strong, future-ready technical teams.

YOUR IMPACT

In this role, your strategic technical leadership will directly shape the resilience of water infrastructure and local environments across the UK and Ireland. By directing the design of critical water supply, wastewater, and river health assets, you will solve complex technical challenges and deliver sustainable, low-carbon infrastructure for communities. Beyond project outcomes, your impact will be felt in the growth of our people: you will actively coach and elevate emerging engineers, steering the technical standards and collaborative culture of Stantec's water business.

ABOUT YOU

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with a relevant professional body (e.g., ICE or CIWEM).
• Extensive civil engineering design leadership experience within the water sector (candidates with strong, transferable infrastructure design leadership experience are also welcomed).
• Proven track record of directing complex civil design packages from concept to detailed design within set timescales and budgets.
• Demonstrated capability in leading multi-disciplinary design teams, client engagement, and mentoring graduate and mid-level engineers.

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.

About Stantec

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] we will talk to you about how we can support you.

ReqID: 8005