Principal Civil Engineer (Water) - Design & Build

Lead from the front. Define the future of the North East’s water systems at scale.

At Stantec, we don’t just design systems — we rethink them.

With AMP8 underway, we’re scaling our Civil Engineering team to deliver next-generation water infrastructure with Northumbrian Water. Based on Newcastle’s iconic Quayside, our team is driving change through innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence.

You’ll also be joining at a pivotal time, as we kick off the Living Water Enterprise — a new long-term partnership with Northumbrian Water that’s redefining how capital delivery works. It’s a chance to be involved from day one, working on projects that are pushing innovation, sustainability, and community outcomes to the forefront.

You’ll work across all stages of the project lifecycle – from feasibility and concept through to detailed design and delivery.

We’re looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to lead complex civil design projects, mentor multidisciplinary teams, and deliver lasting value to our clients and the communities we serve.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading the civil engineering input on major water and wastewater projects
• Liaising internally across multiple technical disciplines, junior Civil Engineers, senior Civil Engineers and working alongside the Project Technical Lead and Project Manager
• External liaison with clients, contractors, and third-parties, including regulatory bodies and planning consultants
• Driving forward Design & Build collaboration with contractors and clients, aligning technical delivery and requirements with constructability and cost-efficiency
• Developing concept-stage solutions and optioneering to identify best value for our clients
• Providing technical assurance, creative problem-solving, and design leadership
• Supporting the growth of our junior and senior engineers through structured mentoring
• Ensuring project success – high quality designs, on time and within budget

You’ll need:

• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, or a related field
• Chartered status with ICE, CIWEM, or similar is expected for this role
• Extensive UK water industry experience, including detailed design and delivery
• Strong leadership and communication skills — you inspire, guide and get things done
• An eye for detail, risk, value, and an understanding of the bigger picture

Why join us?

• You’ll be part of a high-performing regional team with real autonomy, strong support, and a direct link to shaping infrastructure that serves millions
• You’ll join a close-knit, down-to-earth team that values straight-talking, mutual support, and getting stuck in
• A global leader in sustainable design
• Structured development plans and clear pathways for career progression
• Huge volume of internal and external training opportunities
• Access to major frameworks with a secure long-term pipeline of projects
• Flexible working, private healthcare, income protection and many other benefits
• A culture that values innovation, autonomy, and doing what’s right

You can find out more about our work in the water sector here: Stantec H2O+U - UK

Find out more about why Stantec could be the right next step for you here!

👉 Ready to help us rethink water infrastructure for the North East? Apply now – or reach out for a confidential chat first!

The Stantec community unites more than 31,000 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 careers.UK&[email protected]   and we will talk to you about how we can support you.