Linear Recruitment Ltd
Principal Civil Engineer

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Overview: We are recruiting for an experienced Principal Civil Engineer to join a growing design team in Wakefield, working across a range of water and wastewater infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects. This role is suited to a senior Civil Engineer with strong UK water sector design experience and a background in utility engineering.
As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will report to the Design Manager and play a leading role in delivering civil and drainage designs from feasibility and concept through to detailed design, construction and commissioning. You will provide technical leadership, coordinate design activities, mentor junior engineers and provide cover for the Design Manager when required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and coordinate internal and external civil and drainage design activities.
- Develop practical, cost-effective design solutions from feasibility through to detailed design and construction.
- Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary design inputs, programmes and project requirements.
- Review and check technical work to ensure accuracy, quality and compliance with relevant standards.
- Provide technical guidance and mentor junior engineers, technicians and apprentices.
- Support feasibility studies, pricing, value engineering, design meetings and resolution of technical issues.
- Promote best practice, support design risk management and ensure compliance with CDM and client requirements.
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I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
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Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
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You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
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Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
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Qualifications:
- Degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with a relevant institution such as ICE, or close to achieving chartership.
- Strong civil engineering design experience within the UK water sector.
- Experience across water and wastewater infrastructure and/or non-infrastructure projects.
- Experience in areas such as water treatment, drainage, clean water networks, rising mains or sewer separation.
- Strong understanding of water industry standards, including CESWI, WIMES and CIWEM.
- Knowledge of civil and hydraulic design principles, with the ability to undertake manual calculations where required.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 19650, and experience leading or mentoring engineers within a design environment.


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Benefits:
- Competitive salary and benefits package including car allowance.
- Flexible working hours.
- Hybrid working with a minimum of 4 days per week in the Wakefield office.
- Professional development and career progression within a collaborative multidisciplinary design team, working on major UK water projects.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Chartered or nearly Chartered Principal Civil Engineer with UK water experience to take on a senior technical and leadership role — apply today to find out more.
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