Principal River Engineer

Overview

Shape the Future of our cities and environments. Are you a River Engineer who is passionate about making the world a better place? Are you ready to take up a vital role in some of the UK's most exciting and innovative projects?

Join Atkins

Réalis and take a leading role in shaping the future of our cities and environments. We are looking for an energetic and experienced Principal River Engineer to join our team within the Design & Advanced Technology (D&AT) Practice. You'll be part of a talented, multi-disciplinary team delivering cutting‑edge, iconic projects to our Water market clients – Wessex Water, Welsh Water, Severn Trent Water, South West Water, Environment Agency, and other regional water authorities.

As a key member, you will play a vital role in delivering transformational programmes for critical UK infrastructure, with opportunities to work on landmark engineering projects domestically and internationally. We are committed to providing industry‑leading solutions throughout the project lifecycle, adding value through client‑side and construction‑phase support.

Become part of a team where every voice matters, and together we can tackle our clients' toughest challenges. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where world‑class talent thrives without boundaries. Collaboration is more than a buzzword; we value the different perspectives our people bring and recognize everyone for their contributions equally.

We also know that different people have different priorities, which is why we're here to support you with whatever you need. We offer hybrid working: 3 days per week office/site based. This position is based in our Bristol, Exeter or Swansea offices.

The role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to apply knowledge, experience, and problem‑solving skills while providing good opportunities for career development.

• Coordinate or manage a team of engineers and scientists for delivery of technical design work on complex multi‑disciplinary projects following relevant national and project‑specific design codes and standards, and deliver high‑quality work in areas such as flood defences, culverts and hydraulic structures.
• Produce and review technical deliverables such as design reports, drawings, calculations, and scopes of work with defined scope.
• Provide technical input into project design deliverables for river engineering and flood defence aspects of complex projects and work with the project management team to manage time and budgets to key milestones and programmes.
• Collaborate with client, operational, project, or service activities within your immediate team and other related Atkins
  
  Réalis teams.
• Provide mentorship to less experienced colleagues and help grow the River Engineering capabilities within the local team.
• Work independently with minimal technical guidance. Exercise personal judgment to solve difficult problems where appropriate and provide guidance to junior team members.
• Provide technical support for bid proposals.
• Work closely with a multi‑disciplinary team in the UK and overseas to deliver integrated design solutions.
• Adhere to quality assurance standards in design, including checking and reviewing own work as well as others.

• A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer.
• Proven experience coordinating or managing an engineering design delivery team for a design consultancy, including within a multi‑disciplinary environment.
• Takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions to design problems.
• Has strong knowledge and practical experience in design such as flood walls and embankments, weirs, hydraulic structures, culverts, scour protection, access and accessibility, and construction logistics.
• Proficiency in delivering both traditional engineering and environmentally focused solutions using nature‑based strategies.
• Practical knowledge of current design codes and standards as well as industry best practices.
• Ability to work independently with minimal technical guidance.
• Experience in the Water market is essential; experience in wider markets such as Aviation, Defence, Highways or Energy is desirable.
• D…