Principal Drainage Engineer

Penguin RecruitmentBasingstokereedpublished 10/07/2026
Must-have:SeniorPrincipalJunior

Basingstoke £55,000 - £65,000

An established and growing consultancy is looking for a Principal Drainage Engineer to join their team in Basingstoke.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced drainage professional who enjoys a role that combines technical delivery, client management and business development, with a clear opportunity to take on greater responsibility as the business continues to grow.

The Role

You will be involved in delivering a range of drainage and infrastructure projects, while also playing an important role in developing client relationships and winning new work.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Leading the delivery of drainage and infrastructure projects from concept through to completion.
  • Producing and reviewing drainage strategies, designs and technical reports.
  • Working on surface water drainage, SuDS and foul water drainage schemes.
  • Undertaking hydraulic modelling and drainage calculations.
  • Supporting planning applications and providing technical input to development proposals.
  • Managing projects, budgets and client relationships.
  • Reviewing technical work and providing guidance to junior engineers.
  • Liaising with clients, contractors, local authorities and other consultants.
  • Identifying opportunities for repeat business and developing new client relationships.
  • Supporting bids, fee proposals and business development activity.
  • Helping to shape and grow the drainage team as the business expands.

About You

We're looking for someone with a strong technical background in drainage who is ready to take on a role with more responsibility across both technical delivery and business development.

You should have:

  • Significant experience in drainage engineering and design.
  • Strong knowledge of surface water drainage, SuDS and foul drainage.
  • Experience using relevant drainage and hydraulic modelling software.
  • Experience managing projects and communicating directly with clients.
  • A commercial mindset and an interest in developing client relationships.
  • The ability to review and mentor the work of more junior engineers.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • A degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
  • Chartered status, or working towards chartership, would be advantageous but is not essential.

What's on Offer

Competitive salary

  • A senior position with genuine influence over the direction of the drainage team.
  • A role combining technical work, project leadership and business development.
  • The opportunity to build and strengthen existing client relationships.
  • Clear scope for progression as the business grows.
  • A collaborative and supportive working environment.
  • A varied project portfolio across residential, commercial and infrastructure developments.

If you're a Senior or Principal Drainage Engineer looking for a role where you can have more influence technically and commercially, this could be a great next step.