WSP in the UK & Ireland
Senior / Principal Drainage Engineer
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Senior / Principal Drainage Engineer
Senior Drainage Engineer – Leeds or Belfast
WSP
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About the Role
WSP is seeking a Senior Drainage Engineer based in Leeds or Belfast, specialising in Water, Drainage and Environmental Engineering for transportation infrastructure projects. This opportunity allows you to expand our expertise and technical capability while supporting a wide range of high-profile rail, highway, local authority, and aviation projects.
You’ll lead drainage designs from concept to detail, ensuring high standards of technical excellence, timeliness, and commercial success.
Key Responsibilities
Your role involves:
-
Delivering a variety of civil engineering projects, including:
- Highway schemes
- Rail infrastructure
- Site development
- Other transport-related projects
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Managing projects from concept to completion, ensuring:
- High technical standards
- On-time delivery
- Commercial viability
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Leading and delivering drainge services for some of the UK’s most significant transport and infrastructure projects.
Senior-Specific Accountabilities
At more senior levels, you’ll also:
- Lead client relationships, including attendance at progress meetings.
- Manage a team of drainage engineers, supporting their technical development and resource allocation across projects.
Why Join Our Team?
WSP is one of the world’s leading engineering professional services firms, driven by technical excellence and a commitment to serving the communities we operate in. We stay curious and deliver innovative, future-ready solutions that push industry paradigms.
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Our national sustainable water management team champions:
- A proactive, responsible, and collaborative work ethic.
- Cutting-edge expertise in drainage and environmental engineering.
- High-impact solutions for HS2, Network Rail, National Highways or Local Authorities, spanning:
- Strategy & concept development
- Feasibility studies
- Detailed design
- Construction support
This role offers the perfect opportunity to shape the future of WSP’s drainage team. Join a energetic and evolving workforce and leave your mark on how we approach drainage engineering.
Requirements & Skills
Essential Criteria
- Chartered or Incorporated Engineer registration / Degree qualified (requirements flexible based on experience).
- Extensive post-qualification experience in designing sustainable drainage solutions.
- Advanced knowledge of:
- Drainage design principles.
- Infrastructural drainage management.
- Proficiency in:
- Civil 3D
- One of the following software:
- Causeway Flow
- MicroDrainage
- Strong technical acumen, including:
- Relevant UK Technical Standards.
- Building Regulations.
- Codes of Practice.
- Health & Safety regulations.
Desired Expertise
- Project/programme management skills to meet commercial and quality goals.
- Technical experience in any of the following:
- Highway, rail, and airport drainage.
- Asset management.
- Foul water systems.
- Sustainable drainage (surface & foul water).
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What’s In It For You?
WSP believes in delivering an exceptional work experience. Here’s what you can expect:
Work-Life Balance
- Hybrid working policy: Two flexible work-from-home days per week, plus opportunities to collaborate in modern UK offices.
- WSP My Hour: Dedicate one hour daily to personal activities, with flexibility to adjust schedules.
Inclusivity & Belonging
WSP celebrates diversity, ensuring employees feel valued and represented. Our culture of integrity and respect is nurtured through:
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), uniting colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
- Support for flexibility, helping you bring your “whole self” to work.
Health & Wellbeing
We invest in your well-being:
- Thrive programme: Resources for personal growth and wellness.
- Virtual GP access: 24/7 NHS/Irish Medical Council support via telehealth.
- Workplace adjustments: Reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
- Gymflex discounts: Up to 40% off UK gym memberships.
- Menopause support programme: Comprehensive network and resources.
Career Development
We foster growth through:
- Training and mentoring.
- Chartership facilitation.
Commitment to Inclusion
WSP actively encourages applications from all backgrounds:
- Sex
- Race
- Disability
- Age
- Sexual orientation
- Gender reassignment
- Religion or belief
- Marital status
- Pregnancy or maternity/paternity
As a Disability Confident leader, we guarantee interviews for disabled applicants meeting the essential criteria. Please let us know how we can support your application via reasonable adjustments.
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