Principal Civil Engineer (Development)

About the Role

In this role you will lead the day‑to‑day technical delivery of civil engineering consultancy across the full project life‑cycle, providing expertise in drainage, SuDS, flood risk, highways, streetscape, earthworks and utilities, and acting as Project Manager on multidisciplinary assignments when required. You will support and guide a team of technical staff of various grades, manage high‑profile client and stakeholder engagement, collaborate with internal and external design teams, and ensure projects are delivered within budget, on schedule, and to the required quality and legal standards. • Lead technical delivery of civil engineering consultancy across all project stages. • Provide expertise in drainage, SuDS, flood risk, highways, streetscape, earthworks, and utilities. • Act as Project Manager on multidisciplinary projects as needed. • Guide and support a team of technical staff of various grades. • Manage client relationships, stakeholder engagement, and design team collaboration. • Ensure projects meet budget, schedule, quality, and legal compliance. • Deliver services including drainage design, flood risk assessment, civil engineering, utilities coordination, and site appraisal. • Produce infrastructure masterplans, technical reports, design calculations, and construction drawings. • Apply relevant design codes such as Water UK, DMRB, Manual for Streets, and SuDS Manual. • Utilise software including Micro Drainage, Info Drainage, Civils 3D, and PDS. • Liaise with clients, co‑professionals, and statutory authorities to secure approvals. • Join inclusive employee resource groups promoting diversity and belonging.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸technical delivery
• ▸drainage design
• ▸flood risk
• ▸project management
• ▸team guidance
• ▸software tools

What You Bring

We are looking for candidates with experience in highway design, drainage strategies, flood risk assessments, and utility design, who are familiar with hydraulics, hydrology, geotechnics and construction stages, and can produce masterplans, technical reports, calculations and construction drawings while adhering to codes such as Water UK, DMRB, and the SuDS Manual. Proficiency in software such as Micro Drainage, Info Drainage, Civils 3D and PDS, strong liaison skills with clients, co‑professionals and statutory bodies, and an understanding of legal, planning, financial and contractual aspects of development projects are essential; postgraduate qualifications and progress towards chartership, with a willingness to become an ICE supervising or delegated civil engineer, are also required. • Demonstrate experience in highway design, drainage strategies, flood risk management, and utility design. • Understand legal, planning, financial, and contractual aspects of development projects. • Hold postgraduate qualifications and be near chartership; willing to become ICE supervising/delegated civil engineer.

Requirements

• ▸highway design
• ▸drainage
• ▸flood risk
• ▸utility design
• ▸civils 3d
• ▸chartership

Benefits

WSP offers a global platform where you can contribute to landmark projects, collaborate with leading experts, and shape a career as unique as you are, all within a culture that celebrates curiosity, new ideas, and diverse perspectives. WSP provides a hybrid working model with two days remote per week, flexible “WSP My Hour” for personal activities, part‑time and additional leave options, and a comprehensive wellbeing suite that includes the Thrive programme, Virtual GP, Gymflex discounts, menopause support, and inclusive employee resource groups. • Work hybrid with two days remote per week and access modern UK offices. • Benefit from flexible working options like “WSP My Hour,” part‑time arrangements, and additional leave purchase. • Access health and wellbeing programmes: Thrive, Virtual GP, Gymflex discounts, and menopause support. • Receive training, mentoring, and support toward professional development and chartership.

Work Environment

Hybrid