Principal Drainage Engineer (Development)

About the Role

In this role you will lead the day‑to‑day technical delivery of civil engineering consultancy services across the full project lifecycle—from feasibility and concept design through planning, detailed design and construction. You will provide specialist expertise in drainage, SuDS, flood risk, highways, streetscape, earthworks and utilities for a variety of land, property and infrastructure developments, and act as Project Manager on multidisciplinary projects when required. You will guide a team of experienced and developing technical staff, offering mentorship and support, while engaging with high‑profile clients, managing stakeholders and collaborating with internal and external design professionals. Delivery will be monitored to ensure projects stay within budget, on programme and meet quality, technical and legal compliance standards. We help clients promote sustainable development from pre‑feasibility to planning consent, establishing long‑term accessibility plans and delivering multidisciplinary design from concept to construction. Services you will help deliver include drainage, flood risk and SuDS; civil engineering, highways design and earthworks strategies; utilities and energy planning; and site appraisal, due‑diligence and strategic planning advice. • Lead technical delivery of civil engineering consultancy across all project phases. • Provide expertise in drainage, SuDS, flood risk, highways, streetscape, earthworks and utilities. • Act as Project Manager on multidisciplinary projects and mentor junior staff. • Manage client relationships, stakeholder engagement and design team collaboration. • Ensure projects are delivered on budget, on schedule and meet quality and legal standards. • Produce infrastructure masterplans, technical reports, design calculations and construction drawings. • Apply relevant design codes (Water UK, DMRB, Manual for Streets, SuDS Manual) and sustainability guidance. • Utilize software such as Micro Drainage, Info Drainage, Civils 3D or PDS. • Navigate legal, planning and contractual processes for sewers, SuDS, highways and utilities.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸technical delivery
• ▸drainage design
• ▸project management
• ▸client management
• ▸civils 3d
• ▸technical reports

What You Bring

The role requires proven knowledge and experience in highway design, drainage strategies, flood risk assessment, utility design and the development sector, as well as an understanding of hydraulics, hydrology, geotechnics and building structures. You must be able to produce infrastructure masterplans, technical reports, design calculations and construction drawings, and be familiar with design codes such as Water UK Sewerage Guidance, DMRB, Manual for Streets and the SuDS Manual. Proficiency in software such as Micro Drainage, Info Drainage, Civils 3D or PDS, and experience liaising with clients, co‑professionals and statutory authorities, are essential. Knowledge of legal, planning and contractual processes for sewers, SuDS, highways and utilities, together with financial and contractual insight for project bidding and delivery, is also required. We are looking for candidates with postgraduate experience who are near chartership or have equivalent commercial responsibility, and who are willing to become an ICE Supervising or Delegated Civil Engineer to mentor junior team members. • Hold postgraduate experience, be near chartership, and progress to ICE Supervising/Delegated Civil Engineer.

Requirements

• ▸chartership
• ▸postgraduate
• ▸highway design
• ▸civils 3d
• ▸suds
• ▸flood risk

Benefits

At WSP you can tap into a global scale, work on landmark projects and collaborate with leading experts to do the best work of your life. The culture celebrates curiosity, new ideas and diverse perspectives, offering a world of opportunity and a career shaped to your uniqueness. WSP is a leading engineering and professional services firm with 72,800 people worldwide, committed to innovation, integrity and inclusion. We offer work‑life balance through a hybrid policy, inclusive culture, health and wellbeing programmes, flexible working arrangements and strong development support. Our benefits include hybrid working (two days at home), employee resource groups, Thrive wellbeing programme, virtual GP service, Gymflex discounts, menopause support, ‘WSP My Hour’ for personal activities, part‑time and flexible contracts, and opportunities for training, mentoring and chartership. • Benefit from hybrid working (2 days remote), flexible hours, “WSP My Hour”, and part‑time options. • Access health and wellbeing programmes including virtual GP, Gymflex discounts and menopause support. • Receive training, mentoring and support for chartership and career development.

Work Environment

Hybrid