AtkinsRéalis
Senior/Principal Civil Water Engineer - National

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Description
Overview
Develop Your Career and Shape the Future of Water Infrastructure.
At AtkinsRéalis, our Design & Advanced Technology practice brings together some of the UK's most diverse engineering and design expertise to tackle the most complex challenges facing our clients and communities.
We are seeking a Senior or Principal Civil Engineer to join our growing Water team, delivering a diverse portfolio of projects for UK water companies, local authorities, and environmental organisations. Working across regulated and/or non-regulated water projects, you will lead the planning, design, and delivery of critical infrastructure that supports clean water, wastewater services, flood resilience, environmental improvement, and sustainable growth.
As a senior member of the team, you will provide technical leadership, mentor developing engineers, and work closely with multidisciplinary teams and clients to deliver high-quality engineering solutions. With a strong pipeline of work secured through major frameworks, including Thames Water, South East Water, United Utilities, and the Environment Agency among many others, you will play a key role in delivering projects ranging from feasibility studies and asset improvements through to major capital investment programmes.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Chartered Engineer looking to apply their expertise across one of the UK's largest and most diverse portfolios of water infrastructure projects while developing towards technical leadership, project leadership, or people management pathways.
When you join us, you'll become part of a collaborative community of experts who challenge conventional thinking and push the boundaries of engineering excellence.
You'll benefit from:
- Secure workload through major long-term frameworks.
- Opportunities to influence nationally significant projects and help shape the future of water infrastructure across the UK.
- Working on a diverse portfolio spanning regulated and non-regulated water infrastructure projects.
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across the UK and internationally.
- Opportunities to influence project outcomes from concept through to delivery.
- A culture that encourages innovation, technical excellence, and professional growth.
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements that support work-life balance.
- Clear career progression pathways and professional development opportunities.
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.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour 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 breakdownIt 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.
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.
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.
We offer hybrid working which involves 3 days per week being office/site based. This position can be based from any of our major offices of London Nova, Epsom, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, or Glasgow.
Your role
The role offers broad project exposure, technical development, and clear opportunities for progression within a collaborative and growing team.
You will:
- Lead the delivery of civil engineering solutions for water and environmental projects across all stages of the project lifecycle.
- Take ownership of technical work packages, coordinating multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality and sustainable outcomes.
- Develop and review technical reports, calculations, specifications, drawings, and design packages.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and project partners, acting as a trusted and proactive point of contact.
- Provide guidance, mentoring, and day-to-day support to developing engineers and technicians, helping to build team capability.
- Work collaboratively across disciplines to develop integrated solutions that meet client, environmental, and project objectives.
- Champion innovation, continuous improvement, and the adoption of new technologies and best practices.
- Identify opportunities to add value for clients, communities, and the wider business while developing your leadership and project management capabilities.
About you
We're interested in people who are technically strong, commercially aware, and genuinely enjoy collaborative working.
You will be keen to take on greater responsibility, develop client relationships, and play an active role in supporting and developing others.
You’ll ideally bring:
- Experience in civil engineering design and project delivery, ideally within the water sector or a related industry.
- A degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
- Chartered or Incorporated status with ICE or CIWEM, or an equivalent institution OR extensive experience and the ability to become chartered within 12 months.
- Experience working within multidisciplinary project environments.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with confidence engaging clients and project partners.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving, with a commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable engineering solutions.
- A commitment to innovation, technical excellence, and continuous professional development.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Rewards & benefits
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards, and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial, and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.
About AtkinsRéalis
We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data, and technology to transform the world's infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers, and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.
Find out more.
Additional information
Security clearance
This role may require security clearance, and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role, please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.
We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive, and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family-friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria. If you would like to be considered under this commitment, please let us know at the application stage.
“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