Design - Principal Engineering Manager
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 15, 2026. First seen by Alion on Apr 7, 2026.
Due to continued growth, Avove is seeking an experienced Principal Engineering Manager to join our Design team, supporting the delivery of projects across our United Utilities framework. In this senior leadership role, you will lead and develop a high-performing water and wastewater non-infrastructure design team, with responsibility for people leadership, technical delivery and project financial performance.
You will create a strong culture of collaboration, accountability and technical excellence, ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and commercially. Working closely with clients and internal teams, you will balance client expectations, team development and commercial objectives while driving continuous improvement across the Design function.
Responsibilities...
Lead and coordinate design delivery across the full project lifecycle, ensuring programme, cost, quality and carbon objectives are achieved.
Work collaboratively with construction, commissioning and multidisciplinary teams to deliver safe, practical and efficient design solutions.
Define and manage design scope, fees, programmes, resources, budgets, assumptions, risks and opportunities.
Provide technical leadership and guidance, ensuring regulatory, CDM, health & safety and technical standards are consistently met.
Lead technical discussions and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, approval bodies and external sub-consultants.
Coordinate required approvals, consents, permits and site investigations, ensuring these support successful project delivery.
Lead, mentor and develop team members, promoting best practice, technical excellence, knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
Support business development and tender activities, providing technical input and contributing to the continued growth of the Design function.
About you...
Proven experience leading successful water and wastewater non-infrastructure design projects within multidisciplinary teams.
Strong people leadership and line management experience, with the ability to develop and support high-performing teams.
Excellent project management, coordination and organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
Strong technical, commercial and problem-solving capability, with knowledge of relevant statutory processes and technical standards.
A client-focused approach, with strong communication skills and the ability to produce clear, concise and well-structured documentation.
Strong commitment to health, safety, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement throughout design and project delivery.
Computer literate with experience working in a multidisciplinary design environment and a proven track record of delivering projects successfully.
What’s in it for you…
25 days holiday plus bank holidays
Company car or allowance
Private Medical Cover
Company pension scheme
Life assurance
Family friendly policies
A selection of lifestyle benefit options
Financial wellbeing programme
Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues
We love to give back so we offer you volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving where we will boost your fundraising.
About Avove...
We design, build and maintain the UK’s utilities infrastructure to help transform local communities for the better. We provide cutting-edge and sustainable engineering solutions and play a critical role in helping to keep the water running, the lights on and people connected. We are an expert, responsible and agile partner, providing vital services to water and power sectors. We work closely with our clients to help protect and improve their assets, enhance customer experience and protect the natural environment. Everything we do is designed to drive continual improvement and move life forward. We are proud to work in partnership with leading utility providers, including Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Northern PowerGrid, Northumbrian Water Group, and Scottish Power Energy Networks.
We are an equal opportunities employer...
We welcome applications from candidates of all races, genders, disabilities, religions, ages and sexual orientations. We know that having a diverse workforce encourages new perspectives, inspires creativity and creates an engaging workplace and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues can thrive. When it comes to inclusion, we’re making sure we keep up the progress with our Communities of Practice, who help us do just that.