WSP in the UK & Ireland
River & Flood Risk Civil Engineer
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Civil & Flood Risk Engineering Role – Water, Drainage & Environmental Specialists
WSP | North of England Offices (Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield)
About the Role
What if you could shape a career as unique as you? At WSP, you can discover new challenges, expand your horizons, and thrive in a global, collaborative environment. We’re seeking Engineers, Senior Engineers, and Principal Engineers with expertise in Water, Drainage, and Environmental Engineering for rivers and flood defence projects—helping to grow our technical capability while supporting high-impact clients like the Environment Agency, Local Authorities, and asset management organisations.
This role spans the full design spectrum—from concept to detailed implementations—enabling you to work on diverse flood risk and infrastructure projects with real-world impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver civil engineering and flood-related schemes, from initial concepts to final detailed designs for rivers, flood defences, hydraulic systems, and drainage.
- Develop, support, and present business cases for flood protection measures and asset management schemes.
- Design hydraulic structures and infrastructure-related elements such as culverts, weirs, flood walls, outfalls, and scour protection, collaborating with AWS (Asset Worldwide Solutions) teams or client teams across highways, rail, and property sectors.
- Create technical specifications and schedules for contractors, ensuring compliance with client expectations.
- Perform on-site asset inspections for both aboveground and belowground structures.
- Supervise construction works (where required), collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams and agency stakeholders.
- Engage with Local Authorities and environmental regulatory bodies to ensure sustainable, compliance-driven outcomes.
Location & Opportunities
Allocated to one of our northern offices (Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, or Sheffield), this role invites you to contribute to nationally significant water management initiatives. As part of WSP’s Sustainable Water Management team, you’ll be a technical leader, driving proactive solutions for businesses and communities facing flood and river management challenges.
Reasons to use Rodeo
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.
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.
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.
This isn’t just a job—it’s a chance to shape the future of WSP’s sustainable water engineering practice by influencing the next dimension of our project portfolio.
About WSP
We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms, dedicated to creating lasting positive impacts. Our culture fosters innovation, integrity, and inclusion, ensuring our work reflects and benefits broader society. Across the UK and Ireland, our 11,000+ professionals thrive in a collaborative environment, united by curiosity and principled problem-solving.
We balance global knowledge with local understanding, prioritising work that strengthens the communities where we operate.
What We’re Looking for in You
Essential Requirements
- Degree qualification in Civil Engineering or Flood Risk Engineering.
- Post-degree experience in hydraulic designs focused on river or flood defence projects.
- Proven knowledge of flood diversion principles, preference given to expertise in drainage or habitat solutions.
- CAD or Civil 3D proficiency for technical modelling and documentation.
- On-site supervision experience preferred (especially in construction or consultation roles).
- Outstanding oral and written communication skills, including technical reporting and stakeholder engagement.
- A track record of delivering projects/programmes to quality and commercial targets.
- Critical for Senior Candidate Roles: Demonstrated progress toward Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status.
Preferred Skills
- Familiarity with Environment Agency design codes and sustainable drainage principles.
- Experience supporting public consultations or managing enviromental biological assessment reporting.
- Capability to evaluate flood risks else risk mitigation strategies.
Why Join WSP?
Work-Life Balance & Flexibility
- A hybrid policy allows two days/week of flexible remote work, ensuring you can focus on deadlines and collaboration.
- Balanced life priorities: Embrace personal time, professional flexibility, and self-leadership with our "WSP My Hour" initiative—one personal break hour every day, with clerking flexibility.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Inclusivity & Belonging
WSP celebrates diversity, creating an environment where everyone feels valued. Our Employee Resource Groups bring together colleagues from all backgrounds to foster a culture of inclusivity, safety, and mutual respect.
Health & Wellbeing Support
Wellbeing is a core priority at WSP:
- Virtual GP access for fast, tailored medical advice.
- Gymflex scheme offering up to 40% off gym memberships.
- Menopause support programme for those navigating perimenopause/menopause.
- Reasonable workplace adjustments available for eligible applicants.
Professional Growth & Development
WSP values continuous education and development:
- Structured support for Chartership (Chartered Engineer / Incorporated Engineer) journeys.
- Access to mentorship, training programmes, and technical workshops.
- Hybrid role with opportunities for cross-disciplinary growth.
Join Us – Make Your Mark
At WSP, you don’t just work on landmark projects—you create lasting legacies. Whether you’re designing flood defences that protect homes or pioneering sustainable infrastructure, your contributions will shape better futures for people and nature.
Imagine you’re already here. It’s beyond change-making—it’s better than career-making.
You’re invited to be part of work that inspires generations to think forward. Apply today and begin your impact journey at WSP.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, or parental status. As a Disability Confident Leader, WSP guarantees interviews for applicants with disabilities meeting the essential criteria.
Please let us know during your application of any reasonable adjustments needed to support your participation. At WSP, inclusion is embedded in what we do.
“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
Skills
Location