Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive, commensurate with experience

About the Role
At WSP, you will have the opportunity to work on landmark projects, collaborating with some of the brightest minds in civil engineering. As a Principal Drainage Engineer within the Development team, you will lead the day-to-day technical delivery of civil engineering consultancy services across all project stages, from feasibility and concept design through to planning, detailed design, and construction. Your expertise will cover drainage, SuDS, flood risk, highways, streetscape, earthworks, and utilities for a wide range of land, property, and infrastructure development projects across multiple sectors.

You will provide project leadership, acting as Project Manager where required, supported by a team of experienced and developing technical staff. Your role will involve high-profile client engagement, stakeholder management, and collaboration with internal and external multidisciplinary design teams. You will be responsible for ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required technical and legal standards.

The Development team is a high-performing discipline within the Planning and Development business unit, focused on delivering projects through the entire lifecycle—from land acquisition and planning support to scheme implementation. Our vision is to be recognised as the best Development team in the industry, driven by expertise, people, clients, and operational excellence.

We work with public and private sector land promoters, house builders, developers, architects, government bodies, and local authorities. The multi-disciplinary services you will help deliver include drainage, flood risk and SuDS, civil engineering, highways design, earthworks strategies, utilities coordination, site appraisal, due diligence, and strategic planning advice.

Join us to contribute to sustainable development and shape future communities through innovative and responsible engineering solutions.

Experience
- Proven experience in highway design, drainage strategies, flood risk assessments, utility design, and planning within the development sector.
- Strong design experience focused on drainage, flood risk, highways, earthworks, and utilities.
- Familiarity with hydraulics, hydrology, geotechnics, and building structures is desirable.
- Ability to produce infrastructure masterplans, site appraisals, technical reports, design calculations, and construction drawings.
- Knowledge of relevant design codes such as Water UK Sewerage Sector Guidance, Design Manual for Roads & Bridges, Manual for Streets, Local Authority Design Guidance, and SuDS Manual.
- Proficient in preparing drawings for contract documentation and technical approvals.
- Awareness of current and emerging technical and planning guidance on climate change and sustainability.
- Competence in using or directing the use of software including Micro Drainage, Info Drainage, Civils 3D, and/or PDS.
- Experience liaising with clients, co-professionals, design teams, and statutory authorities to secure technical approvals and statutory agreements.
- Understanding of legal processes, planning, design software, consents process, adoption, and contract procedures related to sewers, SuDS, highways, and utilities.
- Knowledge of financial and contractual aspects of planning, bidding, and project delivery.
- Postgraduate or equivalent experience, nearing ICE Chartership or possessing equivalent commercial experience.
- Willingness to become an ICE Supervising or Delegated Civil Engineer (SCE/DE) to support junior team development.

About you
- Confident leader with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Passionate about sustainable development and delivering high-quality engineering solutions.
- Collaborative team player who thrives in multidisciplinary environments.
- Motivated to mentor and develop junior staff.
- Adaptable and proactive in a dynamic project environment.

Qualifications
- Relevant degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline.
- Postgraduate qualifications or equivalent professional experience preferred.
- Progress towards or attainment of ICE Chartered status is highly desirable.