Lead / Principal Civil and Pipeline Engineer

Job Description
Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled Lead / Principal Civil & Pipeline Engineer to join our Water Infrastructure team and lead the delivery of major pipeline and utility projects across water and wastewater networks. This role is ideal for a technical leader with extensive experience in the planning, design, and delivery of large-diameter transmission pipelines, trunk mains, rising mains, utility diversions, and associated civil infrastructure. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing resilient water networks, improving asset performance, and delivering sustainable engineering solutions for utility clients. Working as part of a multidisciplinary engineering team, you will be responsible for driving technically challenging projects from feasibility and concept development through detailed design, procurement support, and construction.
Your Role
Lead the design and delivery of strategic water transmission pipelines, trunk mains, rising mains, gravity sewers, and utility infrastructure projects.
Develop pipeline alignments, route selection studies, utility coordination strategies, and constructability assessments.
Design and review large-diameter buried pipelines, valve chambers, flow control structures, utility crossings, and associated civil infrastructure.
Lead design activities required for utility surveys, clash assessments, diversion designs, easement requirements.
Support or lead hydraulic modelling of water, wastewater, and stormwater networks using tools such as WaterGEMS, SewerGEMS, or similar software.
Support network planning, capacity assessments, flood risk studies, resilience improvements, and infrastructure investment decisions.
Utilize GIS platforms such as ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, QGIS, or MapInfo for route selection, spatial analysis, utility mapping, catchment studies, and infrastructure planning.
Coordinate multidisciplinary teams comprising Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical, ICA, Geotechnical, and BIM professionals.
Provide technical governance through design reviews, risk assessments, quality assurance, and value engineering initiatives.
Support project delivery during procurement and construction by resolving technical issues and providing engineering guidance.
Contribute to bid preparation, technical proposals, and client relationship management.
Mentor engineers and support the development of pipeline and utility design capability across the business.
About You
Qualifications & Skills
Mandatory bachelor's degree in civil engineering.
Work experience of 15 years or more
Significant experience in water and wastewater pipeline engineering and utility infrastructure design.
Strong expertise in:
Large-diameter water transmission mains
Trunk sewers and rising mains
Utility diversion and coordination projects
Buried infrastructure and pipeline corridor design
Utility protection and asset management requirements
Pumping stations and associated network infrastructure
Pipeline hydraulics and route optimization studiesDesign management and multidisciplinary coordination
Construction support and buildability reviews
You will also demonstrate
Experience delivering projects through feasibility, concept, detailed design, and construction support stages.
Experience in hydraulic modelling for water, wastewater, or stormwater networks.
Proficiency in GIS software and geospatial data analysis.
Understanding of UK water industry standards and project delivery practices.
Experience with trenchless technologies such as HDD, pipe jacking, or micro-tunnelling would be advantageous.
Excellent stakeholder management and client-facing communication skills.
Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and manage complex technical interfaces.
Experience working on major water utility frameworks and infrastructure programmes.
Chartered Engineer status, or a commitment to achieving chartership, would be advantageous.
Rewards & Benefits
Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.
This includes:
· Comprehensive life insurance coverage.
· Premium medical insurance for you and your dependents.
· Generous annual leave balance.
· Flexible and hybrid work solutions.
· Remote work opportunities outside of country.
· Company gratuity scheme.
· Discretionary bonus program.
· Relocation assistance.
· Employee Wellbeing Program: 24/7 access to specialists in finance, legal matters, family care, personal health, fitness, and nutrition.
Seize every opportunity to sharpen your skills, expand your expertise, and be recognized for the impact you make.
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.
Worker TypeEmployee
Job TypeRegular
At AtkinsRéalis, we seek to hire individuals with diverse characteristics, backgrounds and perspectives. We strongly believe that world-class talent makes no distinctions based on gender, ethnic or national origin, sexual identity and orientation, age, religion or disability, but enriches itself through these differences.