Principal Design Civil Engineer

Job Description:

Principal Civil Design Engineer

A leading design and build contractor to the water sector is looking to strengthen its engineering team with a Principal Civil Engineer based in Derby, with flexible hybrid working available.

As a Principal Civil Engineer, you will support the delivery of high-quality engineering design services that minimise risk and maximise value across turnkey and engineering services projects. Reporting to the Central Discipline Lead (Civil), you will coordinate civil design activities, ensuring all outputs meet required specifications, standards, and health & safety obligations.

Key Responsibilities of the Principal Civil Engineer

• Produce cost-effective civil design layouts that meet specifications and can be constructed and commissioned efficiently.
• Consider whole-life and whole-project costs, including design hours, materials, installation, and multi-discipline impacts.
• Apply and promote standard design practices wherever possible to maintain competitiveness.
• Provide design estimates and technical input to the Proposals team.
• Work within established processes while contributing to continuous improvement of design procedures.
• Ensure full multi-discipline coordination across internal and external stakeholders to support seamless project delivery.
• Maintain accurate files, design records, and documentation throughout each contract.
• Promote a culture of customer satisfaction, delivering value to internal and external clients.
• Maintain a personal development plan and contribute to the development and mentoring of junior engineers, including supervisory duties.
• Support technical checking and reviewing of drawings and documents produced by junior team members.
• Promote a safe working environment and ensure civil designs fully account for all health, safety, and environmental requirements.
• Reduce waste and encourage efficient working practices across all design activities.

About You – Principal Civil Engineer

Essential Requirements

• Several years’ experience in civil design within the water or process industries.
• Strong understanding of the principles of water and wastewater treatment.
• Experience leading or managing staff within civil design teams.
• Relevant engineering degree and membership of a professional institution (chartered or working toward chartership).
• Ability to rationalise designs and produce efficient plant layouts.
• Broad knowledge of water treatment disciplines, including mechanical, electrical, and process considerations.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to assimilate complex information.
• Confident communicator able to present technical proposals clearly and persuasively.
• Strong IT skills.
• Full driving licence.

About the Company

Our client is a leading design and build contractor to the water sector, delivering complex engineering solutions across multiple long-term frameworks. With a large, multidisciplinary workforce and a commitment to innovative, sustainable design, they offer an environment where people can grow, develop, and thrive.

They are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities, and actively support initiatives such as the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant and workplace mental-health programmes. Their culture is based on collaboration, respect, and creating opportunities for people to excel.

Full Circle Technical is acting as an employment business and agency. Only applicants with the right to work in the UK can be considered.

Interested? Apply now or get in touch for more details.