Principal Civil Engineer

Principal Civil Engineer – Water & Infrastructure

London | Hybrid working (2 days per week from home)

At GHD, we’re committed to creating a sustainable future for our communities. As we continue to grow our Water and Infrastructure capability in the UK, we’re looking for a Principal Civil Engineer to join our London team and play a key role in delivering technically excellent, multi‑disciplinary projects across the water and industrial sectors.

About the role

As a Principal Civil Engineer, you’ll contribute to the successful delivery of projects from feasibility through to detailed design, working closely with Project Managers, Design Managers and technical specialists across the business. You’ll take ownership of smaller projects or discrete elements of larger schemes, while also supporting the development of junior engineers.

This role offers exposure to a wide variety of projects, including water and wastewater treatment works, pipelines, pumping stations and associated civil and structural infrastructure.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and deliver civil engineering design from feasibility to detailed design, including calculations and technical inputs
• Manage and coordinate the preparation of technical drawings, reports and documentation
• Support the delivery of projects to budget, programme and quality targets
• Take responsibility for smaller projects or defined elements of larger schemes
• Assist with financial and commercial management of engineering commissions
• Mentor and supervise junior engineers, supporting technical development and knowledge sharing
• Apply relevant British Standards, water industry standards and GHD best practice
• Work collaboratively within multi‑disciplinary design teams to deliver best‑for‑project outcomes
• Contribute to a strong safety, quality and performance culture

About you

You’ll be an experienced civil engineer with a strong technical background in the water sector and a collaborative, delivery‑focused mindset.

You’ll have:

• 8+ years’ experience in civil engineering design, ideally within water and/or industrial sectors
• Experience delivering designs for water retaining structures, treatment works, pipelines, pumping stations and associated infrastructure
• Strong experience preparing and checking high‑quality calculations, drawings, reports and technical documentation
• Good understanding of multi‑disciplinary design environments
• Experience leading projects or technical workstreams
• Confidence working to British Standards and water industry standards, using industry‑leading analysis and design software

Ideally, you’ll also have:

• Degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Chartered Engineer status with the ICE, or actively working towards chartership
• Experience mentoring and developing junior engineers
• Exposure to design & build project environments

Why GHD?

At GHD, we offer more than just a job. You’ll be part of a collaborative, inclusive team that values technical excellence, professional development and wellbeing.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working (2 days per week from home)
• Meaningful, technically challenging projects across the UK water sector
• Clear pathways for progression and chartership support
• A strong focus on safety, quality and sustainability
• A supportive culture that puts people first

Interested?

If you’re looking to take the next step in your civil engineering career with a global consultancy working on projects that genuinely make a difference, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and help shape a sustainable future with GHD.

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