Principal Process Engineer - Clean Water

The Opportunity

Securing reliable, high-quality water supplies is becoming increasingly important as the UK responds to climate change, population growth, emerging contaminants and changing patterns of water demand. At Stantec, our Clean Water Process teams are helping clients respond to these challenges through innovative treatment solutions, strategic water resource projects and optimisation of existing assets.

We’re looking for a Principal Process Engineer to join our growing teams in Manchester, Warrington, Redditch, Birmingham, Derby, Cardiff, Bristol or Exeter , with a strong focus on clean water. You’ll work as part of our integrated national water team, collaborating with specialists across the UK on projects ranging from new treatment facilities and strategic resource options to source-to-tap solutions and existing asset optimisation.

This is an opportunity to take a leading technical role, influence project outcomes and help shape solutions that improve water security and resilience for communities across the UK.

About The Role

As a Principal Process Engineer, you’ll provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of clean water projects, taking responsibility for process design and supporting delivery from early concept through to implementation.

You Will

• Lead the development and delivery of clean water process engineering solutions across treatment, water resource and infrastructure projects.
• Develop and review process designs, calculations, mass balances, hydraulic assessments, treatment evaluations and technical specifications.
• Provide technical leadership on projects, ensuring solutions are robust, practical, sustainable and aligned with client requirements.
• Support strategic water resource projects, including water transfer, storage, recycling and long-term supply resilience schemes.
• Contribute to the optimisation of existing treatment assets through investigations, performance assessments and site-based testing such as jar testing and pilot trials.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams including civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental and hydraulic specialists to deliver integrated solutions.
• Build strong relationships with clients and contribute technical expertise to business plans, investment programmes, bids and framework opportunities.
• Mentor and support engineers within the wider Process Engineering team, helping develop technical capability and best practice.
• Collaborate with our global teams, sharing knowledge and applying international experience to UK water challenges.

YOUR IMPACT

Your expertise will help shape the future of clean water and waste water infrastructure, supporting clients to secure resilient and sustainable water supplies in the face of increasing environmental and climate pressures. From improving treatment performance and addressing emerging contaminants such as PFAS, to developing strategic solutions for long-term water resource resilience, the work you lead will have a direct impact on communities and the environment.

As a Principal Engineer, you’ll also play an important role beyond individual projects — strengthening our clean water capability, developing future technical leaders, supporting client relationships and helping Stantec continue to deliver innovative solutions across the UK water sector.

ABOUT YOU Essential

• Degree qualified in Chemical or Process, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in clean water or waste water process engineering, gained within the water or related sectors.
• Strong technical experience across clean water treatment processes, process design and/or operational optimisation.
• Experience developing and reviewing process calculations, mass balances, hydraulic assessments and technical deliverables.
• Proven ability to provide technical leadership across complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong understanding of UK water industry challenges, standards and best practice.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage confidently with clients and project teams.
• Experience mentoring and supporting the development of engineers.

Desirable

• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (CEng/IEng) or actively working towards
• Membership of a relevant professional institution such as CIWEM, IChemE, ICE or IMechE.
• Experience working with UK water companies and AMP investment programmes.
• Experience in strategic water resource options, treatment optimisation, water recycling or source-to-tap solutions.
• Experience addressing emerging contaminants, including PFAS, or other changing water quality challenges.
• Experience planning or undertaking site investigations, jar testing, pilot trials or other treatment performance testing.
• Experience supporting bids, frameworks, business development and client relationships.
• Interest in digital innovation, sustainability and developing new approaches to clean water process engineering.

WHY JOIN US

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact (email protected) and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

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