At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
As a Principal Drainage Engineer, you’ll take a leading role in shaping sustainable infrastructure across London and the South East—delivering high-quality drainage and flood mitigation solutions for highways and urban environments. With a strong technical foundation and chartered status, you’ll guide multidisciplinary teams and act as a trusted advisor to key clients including Essex and Kent Councils and Thames Water.
You’ll lead project delivery from concept through to implementation, ensuring technical excellence, regulatory compliance, and client satisfaction. Your experience working with local councils, Lead Local Flood Authorities, and water authorities will be instrumental in driving successful outcomes across a growing portfolio of regional infrastructure projects.
In this role, you will:
* Lead drainage and flood mitigation design across all project stages, ensuring quality and sustainability.
* Engage directly with clients and stakeholders, representing Jacobs in meetings and project development.
* Mentor junior engineers and foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and offices.
* Coordinate with UK and global teams to deliver integrated, high-performing solutions.
* Work flexibly from London or the surrounding area, with regular presence in the office or on client sites.
Jacobs’ Transportation team is recognised for delivering high-profile projects for clients including National Highways, Transport Scotland, Network Rail, Welsh Government, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, HS2 Ltd, and numerous Local Authorities. You’ll be part of a team known for excellence in design, sustainability, safety, and collaboration—contributing to award-winning work on projects like HS2.
Thriving communities. Healthy cities. A brighter future.
If you’re ready to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact—Jacobs is ready to invest in you.
Here's what you'll need
* A degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
* Chartered Engineer status
* Strong technical experience in drainage and flood mitigation design
* Proven experience leading teams and managing multidisciplinary projects
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with client-facing experience
* Thorough understanding of DMRB, local authority standards, Sewerage Sector Guidance, and the SuDS Manual
* Experience working with local councils, LLFAs, and water authorities
* Proficiency in drainage modelling software and tools
* Working knowledge of health and safety legislation
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Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.
With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs .
We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.Find out more about ourJacobs Employee Networks here .
Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit www.vercida.com to view and access our roles.
As a disability confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.
We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.
Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .
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