Principal Dams & Reservoir Engineer

Location: Manchester or Glasgow
Working Pattern: Hybrid - typically 3 days per week office/site based
Sector: Water, Dams, Reservoirs & Hydraulic Structures

The Opportunity

Are you an experienced Dams & Reservoir Engineer looking for an opportunity to take a leading role on some of the UK's most important water infrastructure projects?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing multidisciplinary engineering team delivering technically challenging projects across the Water sector, with the chance to work on major reservoir, dam and hydraulic structures programmes throughout the UK and internationally.

As a Principal Dams & Reservoir Engineer, you'll provide technical leadership across complex projects, coordinate engineering teams and contribute to solutions that support the resilience and future development of critical water infrastructure.

The role offers an excellent balance of technical leadership, project delivery, client engagement and mentoring, alongside opportunities for continued professional development and career progression.

Your Role

As a Principal Dams & Reservoir Engineer, you will:

• Coordinate and manage teams of engineers and technical specialists delivering complex dams, reservoirs and hydraulic structures projects.

• Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary projects, ensuring designs meet relevant codes, standards and client requirements.

• Produce, check and review technical deliverables including design reports, drawings, calculations and scopes of work.

• Provide specialist technical input into the design of reservoir and hydraulic structures.

• Work closely with project managers to successfully manage technical delivery, budgets, programmes and key project milestones.

• Develop integrated engineering solutions in collaboration with clients, contractors and multidisciplinary teams.

• Mentor and support less experienced engineers, helping to develop the wider dams, reservoirs and hydraulic structures capability.

• Work independently on complex technical challenges, applying sound engineering judgement and providing guidance to other team members.

• Provide technical input into tenders, bids and proposals.

• Collaborate with UK and international engineering teams to deliver high-quality integrated solutions.

• Support technical assurance, checking and review processes to ensure consistently high standards of design.

• Contribute to client relationships and help identify opportunities for future project development.

About You

We're looking for an experienced Dams & Reservoir professional who can demonstrate:

• A degree in Civil Engineering or an equivalent qualification.

• Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer status.

• Panel Engineer status, or currently working towards becoming a Panel Engineer.

• Proven experience coordinating or managing engineering design teams within a consultancy or multidisciplinary engineering environment.

• Strong technical knowledge and practical experience in the design and assessment of:

  • Earth and concrete dams

  • Reservoirs

  • Flood walls and embankments

  • Weirs and hydraulic structures

  • Culverts

  • Scour protection

  • Associated access and infrastructure

• Strong knowledge of relevant design codes, standards and industry best practice, including CDM Regulations.

• The ability to work independently and provide technical leadership on complex engineering problems.

• Essential experience within the Water sector.

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to clients and multidisciplinary teams.

• A proactive, collaborative and commercially aware approach to project delivery.

• A commitment to delivering safe, high-quality engineering solutions.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to take a leading role in the delivery of major UK water infrastructure projects, working alongside experienced engineers and technical specialists.

You can expect:

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.

• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements.

• Opportunity to work on technically complex and nationally significant water infrastructure.

• Significant technical responsibility and project leadership opportunities.

• Professional development and support towards continued accreditation.

• Opportunities to mentor and develop the next generation of engineering talent.

• Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across the UK and internationally.

• A strong platform for further career progression within a growing technical environment.

• A supportive and inclusive workplace where technical expertise and new ideas are valued.

Location

The role is based in either:

Manchester or Glasgow

Hybrid working is offered, with approximately 3 days per week office/site based, depending on project and client requirements.

Travel to project sites may be required as part of the role.

Security & Eligibility

Some projects may require candidates to obtain an appropriate level of UK security clearance. Where applicable, this will be discussed during the recruitment process and will be dependent upon meeting the relevant eligibility and vetting requirements.

Interested?

If you're a Chartered Dams & Reservoir Engineer looking for your next opportunity to take technical ownership of major water infrastructure projects, we'd be keen to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV, or get in touch for a confidential discussion about the role, projects and career opportunities available.

Calibre Search promote equality in the workplace and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified candidates regardless of their sex, race, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age. We act as both an employment agency and employment business.