Principal Civil Engineer, Water

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Start here. Grow here.

Are you looking to take the next step in your career with a company that's delivering the future of water infrastructure?

We’re looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our growing Water team in Leeds, Chesterfield, Manchester or Birmingham. As part of a collaborative and forward-thinking multidisciplinary team, you’ll help deliver impactful projects that improve everyday life, across the UK and beyond.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to some of the most high-profile and rewarding infrastructure programmes in the water sector. We work with water and sewerage providers, local authorities, and national clients on a range of projects, from upgrading treatment works to helping shape long-term strategies for sustainability, resilience and growth.

You'll be part of a dynamic local team of high-performing civil engineers, with expertise spanning from apprentice to director level, and integrated within our broader national Water team. This role offers the opportunity to provide technical leadership, mentor and support early-career colleagues, and contribute to their development through line management and training agreements. You’ll also have the chance to enhance your own skills in project and client management, while continuing to grow your technical expertise, with clear opportunities for career development and progression.

Recent Projects Include:

• Major upgrades of sewage and water treatment works at Wanlip, Matlock, and Worcester for Severn Trent.
• CSO investigations and solutions for Anglian Water and Scottish Water (Caledonia Water Alliance).
• Local infrastructure projects for Derbyshire County Council and Derby City.
• Strategic advice for national clients including DEFRA, Network Rail, and National Highways.

Our work covers the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and design to delivery and asset management — offering variety, challenge and purpose.

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Collaborating with engineers, modellers, environmental scientists, and other specialists to deliver high-quality water and wastewater projects.
• Contributing across all design stages, from concept through to detailed design and technical reporting.
• Applying creative and practical thinking to solve real-world engineering challenges.
• Ensuring designs meet relevant standards, regulations, and best practice.
• Leading the technical delivery of key projects and reviewing work produced by others.
• Managing project scope, budget, and timelines effectively.
• Building strong relationships with clients, providing regular updates and technical guidance.
• Mentoring and supporting early-career professionals in your team.

If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, AECOM welcomes you. Join our team, where we don't just construct infrastructure but also uplift communities and enhance lives. Why not give our AECOM Water page on LinkedIn a follow to stay updated on the impactful projects we're working on and see firsthand the difference we're making in the industry!

Come & Grow with Us.

Become part of our dynamic Water business, which boasts around 600 experts across the UK & Ireland. Collaborate with top-tier civil, mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to deliver a variety of captivating projects, from small initiatives to large-scale ventures, all the way from concept to completion. Here, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued.

Enjoy the Perks.

At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work-life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days. We recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different, so we’re more than happy to discuss part-time or flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent qualification, or demonstratable equivalent experience.
• Proven experience within the water sector at the Principal level.
• Chartered or Incorporated with a relevant institution e.g. ICE, CIWEM or working towards.
• Experience of undertaking engineering assessments, options appraisals, engineering calculations and / or economic appraisals.
• Experience of outline and / or detailed design of wastewater / water treatment schemes schemes.

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at View email address on jobs.smartrecruiters.com. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Additional Information

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long-term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address  View email address on jobs.smartrecruiters.com if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.