Stantec
Principal Civil Engineer - Water
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The Opportunity
Lead a generation of water infrastructure transformation in Scotland.
Scottish Water is launching an £8.1bn investment programme—the largest capital programme in its history. Stantec has been appointed as one of only two Primary Design Partners to deliver this landmark framework through to 2039.
This is not a standard framework cycle. It is a multi-decade pipeline of major water and wastewater infrastructure assets that will shape how Scotland lives for generations. Positioned in our Edinburgh office, this win solidifies Stantec’s standing as the #1 design consultancy in the UK regulated water sector as we enter SR27.
At this scale, opportunities to shape a nation’s water infrastructure come once in a career. We are establishing our senior technical leadership team now—and as a Principal Engineer, you will directly define how this major programme is designed, governed, and delivered.
About The Role
As a Principal Engineer, you will provide technical leadership and governance across complex water and wastewater capital projects, acting as Lead Designer or Technical Director to ensure design rigor, innovation, buildability, and full compliance with Scottish Water and SEPA requirements. Working closely with our delivery framework leadership team, you will drive consistent technical standards, digital engineering adoption, and efficient resource allocation across the entire Scottish Water portfolio.
You will lead multidisciplinary integration across process, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, and environmental disciplines, resolving complex technical interfaces on major treatment assets and network schemes. A central aspect of the role involves client and partner engagement, where you will build and maintain strong working relationships with Scottish Water project managers, key stakeholders, regulatory bodies, and joint venture or contractor delivery partners.
From a commercial and project management perspective, you will drive project performance by managing design fees, scope changes, risk, resourcing, and key programme delivery milestones. You will also contribute to work winning and bidding activities, shaping technical fee proposals, bid strategies, and capability presentations to secure new opportunities across the region.
Finally, you will take an active role in team leadership and mentorship. You will line manage, develop, and guide senior, project, and graduate engineers, fostering a high-performing technical community in Edinburgh while serving as an ICE Supervising Engineer or Mentor.
Your Impact
As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will serve as a technical lead and trusted advisor within our Edinburgh water business. You will take overarching ownership of major civil engineering design schemes—from high-level strategy and optioneering through to detailed design and construction stage support.
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Beyond project execution, you will play a central role in driving technical excellence, steering multidisciplinary design teams, managing strategic relationships with Scottish Water and contractor partners, and expanding our technical capability in Edinburgh through team growth and mentorship.
About You Essential Experience & Qualifications
- Degree Qualified: BEng or MEng (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering.
- Chartered Status: Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or equivalent recognized professional body.
- Proven Sector Expertise: Substantial experience leading the design of UK water and wastewater infrastructure (treatment works, pumping stations, major pipelines, drainage networks, and civil assets).
- Technical & Digital Authority: Comprehensive knowledge of civil design principles, hydraulic concepts, and modern digital delivery tools (e.g., Civil 3D, InfoDrainage, BIM workflows).
- Delivery Track Record: Proven background managing multidisciplinary design teams, fee budgets, and commercial outcomes on complex infrastructure projects.
- CDM & Health & Safety: In-depth understanding of CDM 2015 Regulations with direct experience taking on Principal Designer responsibilities.
- Leadership & Communication: Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and decision-making skills with a track record of developing junior and mid-level engineers.
Why Join Stantec in Edinburgh?
- We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed. We can offer you a great office environment in the heart of Edinburgh.
- We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work for by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named 'Best Place to Work' and 'International Consulting Firm of the Year' at the NCE Awards 2024.
- We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
- We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: [Stantec Employee Resource Groups](Stantec Employee Resource Groups)).
- Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK and we want you to be part of it!
- Great benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection and life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
- Hybrid / flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.
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About Stantec
The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.
Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.
Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.
At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.
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