Rodeo
ResourcesPartnersSign in

WSP in the UK & Ireland

Principal Civil Engineer (Water)

Basingstoke
Posted 3 months ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

Principal Civil Engineer (Water)

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

A Little More About Your Role…

Our Regulated Water Asset Design team serves the municipal water sector both in the UK and internationally. We hold long term framework agreements direct with water companies, including Severn Trent Water and Southwest Water. We also hold excellent relationships and trading agreements with blue chip contractors, including Costain and Galliford Try, for whom we deliver projects across the UK. We deliver a full range of design services across wastewater treatment, water treatment, sewerage and water network schemes.

To find out more about our Water business click on the following link and discover what awaits you at https://www.wsp.com/en-us/sectors/wastewater

Due to a significant increase in the demand for our services, we are actively recruiting Senior Civil Engineers and Principal Civil Engineers to help us service the AMP8 water industry capital investment programme. If you have relevant water industry design experience, we can offer you tailored experience to fulfil your career ambitions. Equally, if you are working in a different engineering sector, we can also offer mentoring programmes and training to support you in the transition to the water sector.

Key Responsibilities

As a Principal Civil Engineer you will have the opportunity to:

Take ownership for all aspects of project delivery including health & safety, technical, quality, schedule and budget Manage multi-disciplinary teams Shape the delivery of our services and identify opportunities to deliver complimentary services from the wider WSP business in the UK and overseas Build relationships with our Clients to ensure that our services deliver project outcomes and customer satisfaction Contribute to the identification and delivery of innovative approaches, new services and digital products Contribute to the implementation of our Future Ready and Net Zero programme Act as an ambassador for best practice within the Asset Design team and on Client sponsored initiatives Undertake bid preparation, resource and budget development Line manage and support the professional development of graduate engineers and degree apprentices Contribute to recruitment and growth of the civil engineering team Continue your career journey through the ongoing development of your technical, managerial and leadership skills

Reasons to use Rodeo

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?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

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.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

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.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

What We Will Be Looking For You To Demonstrate…

A degree in Civil Engineering Chartered status, or significant progression towards membership of the ICE or CIWEM Experience in managing engineering design teams comprising civil engineers and other supporting disciplines Experience in delivery of projects to an identified budget and schedule Acted in a checking or technical approval role on linear civil engineering infrastructure projects, or industrial / process related design Experience in mentoring or coaching junior civil engineering staff to develop their technical skills and professional development Client-facing experience Good presentation, written, and verbal communication skills

Don’t quite meet all the criteria? Or not quite the role you were looking for. Apply and we can see how your experience aligns to other roles we may have available.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the

best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

With us, you can. Apply today.

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our 72,800 passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 9,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote our culture of inclusivity.

Health & Wellbeing

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

Your development

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.

Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Skills

Civil Engineering
Project Delivery
Team Management
Client Relationship Management
Innovative Approaches
Digital Products
Health & Safety
Technical Approval
Mentoring
Communication Skills

Location

Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this