Senior/Principal Civil Engineer - Water

Shape the future. Make a difference. Join AtkinsRéalis. 

At AtkinsRéalis, we’re not just designing infrastructure—we’re engineering a better future. As part of our Networks & Drainage Solutions team, you’ll help deliver sustainable, resilient, and innovative civil engineering solutions that support communities and protect the environment.

Due to continued framework successes, we’re looking for a Senior or Principal Civil Engineer who is passionate about water, drainage, and infrastructure to join our delivery‑focussed, wastewater‑led team in Derby. Our collaborative and multi‑disciplinary team provide hands‑on surface water and wastewater network design‑led optioneering, solution development, and technical oversight, supporting projects from feasibility through to delivery.

You will join our team to work predominantly on Severn Trent’s AMP8 CSO reduction programme, developing practical solutions for network challenges. You’ll also assist various UK and international clients—including water companies, highways authorities, and Network Rail—with opportunities to contribute to Design & Build projects and collaborate with contractors on engineering solutions.

Your role

• Taking technical leadership on wastewater and surface water projects, from feasibility and optioneering through to outline and detailed design.
• Leading or overseeing the production of technical reports, calculations, drawings, and specifications, ensuring quality, consistency, and robustness of solutions.
• Acting as a technical point of contact for clients and stakeholders, supporting design decisions and contributing to effective project delivery.
• Working collaboratively with hydraulic modellers, surveyors, geotechnical engineers, and other disciplines to develop integrated and buildable solutions.
• Playing an active role in initiatives to reduce Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) spills, supporting wider business objectives across Cities & Development and Transportation markets.
• Providing technical oversight, mentoring, and support to less experienced engineers, helping to grow capability within the team.
• Leveraging digital tools and data to improve design quality, efficiency, and decision‑making, supporting innovation across the water and infrastructure sectors. 

About you

• A degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Chartered status with ICE or CIWEM.
• Strong experience in the design and delivery of wastewater and/or surface water infrastructure, ideally within regulated water or infrastructure frameworks.
• Sound knowledge of current UK codes, standards, and best practice, with the confidence to apply professional judgement. 
• Experience working within multi‑disciplinary teams and contributing to technically complex projects.
• Proficiency in relevant digital and analysis tools, such as MicroDrainage, InfoDrainage, Infoworks ICM, Civil 3D, and GIS platforms, with an interest in developing efficient design workflows.
• The ability to communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, and to support the development of others. 

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.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

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 ability. 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.