Principal Drainage & Water Infrastructure Engineer

Principal Drainage & Water Infrastructure Engineer

About Fairhurst LLP –Fairhurst LLP is one of the UK’s largest private multidisciplinary partnerships of consulting engineers, delivering civil, structural, geotechnical, environmental, transportation, planning, water, and landscape architecture services across 16 principal offices in the UK. Fairhurst specialises in providing cost ‑effective, sustainable engineering solutions and prides itself on high-quality service delivery, technical excellence, and long-standing client relationships.

Our Water Services Team is passionate about supporting and managing how engineering projects interface with, protect, and ensure the sustainability of our water environment. Rivers, streams and coasts are highly valued assets, and they are part of our natural heritage. We deliver successful engineering outcomes that serve the water environment including large master-planning strategies, transport infrastructure, river restoration, flood prevention, dams, reservoir, renewable energy, river / coastal restoration, water supply and sustainable drainage schemes for the present and the future.

Role Overview – The Principal Drainage & Water Infrastructure Engineer is responsible for delivering on a broad and diverse range of water projects, including major infrastructure, flood management, masterplan development, and renewables/energy schemes.

The role requires strong technical capability, a commitment to high‑quality design, and an ambition to develop experience in both project and client management.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical & Design

• Deliver high‑quality design work across drainage, flood management and water related infrastructure projects.
• Experience in utilising software packages such as MicroDrainage, Causeway Flow and/or InfoDrainage to oversee production of accurate drainage models, drawings, and technical reports.
• Develop practical and sustainable engineering solutions that respond to environmental, planning, and client requirements.
• Assist in technical reviews, ensuring designs align with best practice and project specifications.

Project Management

• Support the planning, coordination, and delivery of engineering tasks and project packages.
• Monitor progress, manage priorities, and contribute to forecasting, resources, and project reporting.
• Develop experience in commercial awareness, risk management, and programme control.
• Take ownership of assigned tasks and deliverables, ensuring compliance with deadlines and quality standards.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Attend meetings, workshops, and site visits (driving licence required).
• Communicate proactively with clients, consultants, contractors, and regulators.
• Represent Fairhurst professionally, clearly conveying technical information to varied audiences.
• Build strong, long‑term working relationships with partners and stakeholders.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all work meets Fairhurst’s quality management processes and industry standards.
• Follow relevant legislation, design codes, and internal governance procedures.
• Maintain accurate records, transparent assumptions, and auditable design outputs.
• Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence.
• Support and guide junior team members, sharing knowledge and encouraging professional development.
• Assist in developing skills within the team and contribute to a positive, collaborative working environment.
• Principal Engineers may lead project teams, undertake line management duties, or develop specialist areas of expertise.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Qualifications & Professional Requirements

• Chartered with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or Chartered Institution of Water Environmental Management (CIWEM)
• Strong experience in drainage, water, and infrastructure engineering across varied project types.
• Competence in drainage software packages such as MicroDrainage, Causeway Flow and/or InfoDrainage.
• Full UK driving licence (required for site work and client visits).

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

• Competitive salary and benefits, aligned to experience and location.
• Contributory pension, personal health care plan and life insurance
• 33 days annual leave (inclusive of Public Holidays) including annual leave purchase and buy-back scheme
• Bonus Schemes including loyalty bonus and qualifications award
• Access to Staff Health Plan, Employee Assistance Programme including a 24-hour advice line
• BUPA Company Care Scheme
• Life Insurance, Personal Accident and a generous Contributory Pension Scheme
• Interest‑free travel loan, Cycle to Work Scheme and Arnold Clark Affinity Scheme
• Payment of professional fees
• Hybrid and flexible working opportunities will be considered
• A collaborative, partner‑led environment with access to multidisciplinary expertise.
• Career and professional development and opportunities on high‑profile projects.
• A culture built on responsiveness, flexibility, and sustainable, value‑adding engineering.

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