Let's transform society together…
We're Sweco.
We're future planners, city shapers, urban innovators, digital transformers, net zero chasers, community connectors, social enterprisers and lifestyle improvers.
We're difference makers.
We're Europe's leading design, engineering, environment and regulatory consultancy and we're now recruiting for a Principal Process Engineer to join our team delivering outline design and detailed specifications primarily for water and wastewater schemes.
This role is based in our Leeds office and can be worked flexibly with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office and the option of adjusted start and finish times.
At Sweco, we draw upon a combined knowledge base of 22,000 experts across Northern Europe. More technologies, more skills, and more inventive solutions mean we can apply global knowhow, locally across the full spectrum of lifecycle services in both water engineering and wider water management. More importantly, we have a proven record of transferring innovation from other countries and sectors into the UK water industry – not least in our work on AMP7 Frameworks with 7 of the 12 UK water and sewerage companies.
Our water engineering consultants are world leaders, meeting increasing demands for drinking water, waste recycling and operational technology asset management.
Through innovative and TOTEX focused solutions Sweco is helping client's outperform business plan targets both in terms of cost and embedded/operational carbon. Our commitment is future focused, finding solutions for the future's challenges, today.
We'll work with you to develop your technical expertise so that you can become a real Difference Maker and develop sustainable and innovative solutions to address these issues. You'll join a growing team of Engineers working together towards the best client outcomes.
We are looking for individuals who can challenge conventional thinking and work collaboratively to meet a wide range of business, environment and regulatory challenges for these clients. The role offers an opportunity for successful candidates to broaden and diversify their expertise.
What does the role involve?
You Will Work Closely With Colleagues From Disciplines Across The Wider Water Business Unit In The UK And Ireland To Deliver Projects By
Undertaking process design; process calculations, mass balance, process flow diagrams, piping and instrumentation drawings, sketches, reports, etc, to achieve the optimum solution for the project.
Providing day to day technical input as part of a team of Process Safety
and Water/Wastewater Engineers
Ensuring design output from the team is completed in accordance with the agreed scope of works, timescales and budgets.
Working in close collaboration with colleagues from other disciplines as required to deliver project requirements and added value to the Client.
Working in close collaboration with PMs to deliver to time/quality and cost.
Providing process safety expertise in the form of DSEAR, COSHH and HAZOP assessments.
HAZOP scribe/facilitation experience.
Providing quality assurance for all client deliverables. Supporting junior members of staff to help improve their technical capabilities, both in-person and online.
Role
To be successful in this role you'll possess:
A degree in a relevant Process Engineering subject (or equivalent) and chartered status with a relevant professional institution.
Knowledge and experience of process design for the water industry.
A growth mindset, focused on continual professional development.
Enjoys a variety of tasks and a healthy natural inquisition for knowledge.
The ability to work with engineers from all disciplines and other industry professionals to optimise and develop bespoke and innovative designs.
The ability to be flexible and pick up new skills when working with a portfolio of a wide variety of projects.
A healthy appreciation for how to support project management.
Experience in the delivery of water and wastewater designs and specifications on water related projects for Water Companies, Contractors and industry.
An appreciation of the implications of works on the environment and knowledge of sustainable solutions, water and wastewater processes and health and safety legislation.
A keen eye for detail and someone who takes pride in the work they produce.
What's in it for you?
This is an exciting time to join Sweco and if you want to be part of a company who is small in all the best ways but large enough to provide a diverse and exciting workload, this job is for you.
If you believe you have the skill set required, are keen to join a business with genuine opportunities for career progression, then we'd love to hear from you.
Let's transform society together at Sweco.
About Us
Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.
Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.
We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality. Our ambition is to be our clients' most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.
Sweco is committed to enabling all its colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible start and finish times, part time and hybrid working options so that you can flex your hours around your day to day needs.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
It's important to us that that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.
Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.
We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more The Armed Forces Covenant - Our Commitments | Sweco UK .
We are an accredited Real Living Wage Employer which reflects our commitment to fair pay and support for all colleagues.
We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.
If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. "reasonable adjustments") with the application process?
If you're an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact GB_Function-HR- for assistance.
In order to address your request the following information is needed:
Name
The best method for contacting you (Phone or email)
The position title
Requisition/vacancy number
Upon receipt of this information, we'll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.
Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.
Sweco UK&I have an internal resourcing team who are responsible for all recruiting activity. We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted agencies who we work with on those "hard to fill" roles.
We have defined processes for recruitment applications and it is company policy not to accept speculative CVs. Any speculative CVs received into the business (whether to a manager or member of the resourcing team) will become the property of Sweco and the agency will not be eligible for an introductory fee.
Our Preferred Supplier List was reviewed in November 2025 and we are not looking to add any additional agencies. We'll be reviewing the PSL again at the end of 2026 and non-compliance with the above statements could be detrimental to you having the opportunity to be included.
Our Talent Community for experienced professionals is a great way to keep up to date with our latest news, insights, future vacancies, as well as gaining access to exclusive events hosted by our experts.
To learn more Join Our Talent Community - Sweco United Kingdom