Location
Abbey Wood, London (Hybrid working with up to 3 days on-site or in office at Slough Sewage Treatment Works)

Hours
36 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary
£52,000 to £80,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience
£5,800 annual car allowance

About the Role
Thames Water is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer to lead and build a world-class technical team, driving innovation and delivering impact on major infrastructure projects up to £300 million. You will plan and manage design activities across a small portfolio of projects, from concept design through feasibility, de-risking, and contract award, ensuring milestones and budgets are met or exceeded.
- Provide technical assurance of detailed designs, design change reviews, and waiver applications during construction.
- Support project teams during commissioning and handover of assets.
- Act as key contact for Contract Design Management regulations, including the Principal Designer role.
- Conduct health and safety inspections on construction sites and collaborate with construction assurance teams to improve safety performance.
- Apply risk management skills to identify, mitigate, and control risks, adding value and de-risking projects.
- Build strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.
- Use commercial and contractual expertise alongside project management to guide delivery strategy.
This is a unique opportunity to work on cutting-edge engineering solutions that will shape the future of water treatment and infrastructure in the UK.

Experience
- Proven background managing capital projects and delivering high-quality work with excellent customer focus.
- Experience delivering major engineering infrastructure projects up to £100 million in a regulated environment.
- Competence in risk-based and analytical decision-making for complex investment decisions.
- Experience in people management and leading technical teams.
- Strong health and safety awareness and experience conducting site inspections.

About you
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships internally and externally.
- Commercially and contractually astute with project management capabilities.
- Motivated to lead innovation and deliver impactful engineering solutions.
- Holds a valid driving licence and has access to personal transportation.

Qualifications
- Degree in civil, mechanical, or other engineering disciplines.
- Chartered status or actively working towards chartership.