Civil Design Engineer - All Levels (Engineer / Senior / Principal / Associate)

Civil Design Engineer (Engineer / Senior / Principal / Associate) – Water

Location: Stretford, Manchester (Hybrid – 3 days per week in office)

Type: Contract – Ltd (subject to an IR35 assessment confirming outside status)

Rate: £45.00 - £62.50 per hour (Ltd)

Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday – Friday)

Duration: 12 months+

About the Role

We are currently recruiting Civil Design Engineers at Engineer, Senior, Principal and Associate level to support the delivery of high-quality civil engineering design solutions across AMP8 wastewater treatment projects for major UK utility end clients. This role will focus on the design of civil elements within wastewater treatment plants (WWTW), including earthworks, drainage, pipelines, structures, and associated site infrastructure. You will play a key role in ensuring designs are safe, compliant, buildable, and aligned with client and regulatory requirements. Please note: Water sector experience, particularly within WWTW / wastewater treatment plants and AMP programmes, is essential for this role.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce and check civil engineering design deliverables in line with safety, quality, and technical standards
• Develop practical, efficient and buildable design solutions based on project scope, surveys, and site visits
• Communicate design intent, risks, and opportunities to utility clients and multidisciplinary teams
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, graduates, and CAD technicians
• Prepare and review design documentation including calculations, reports, drawings, and specifications
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, design codes, and water utility / AMP8 standards
• Manage design changes with full traceability and document control
• Deliver work in line with formal design processes, QMS, and CDM regulations
• Estimate and manage design hours and resource requirements
• Attend and contribute to design reviews, client meetings, and technical workshops
• Maintain awareness of construction methods to ensure cost-effective and practical designs

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience in civil design within the UK water / wastewater sector (essential)
• Strong experience delivering AMP programmes and wastewater treatment plant (WWTW) projects for utility end clients
• Degree, HND, or equivalent in Civil Engineering (or significant relevant experience)
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards
• Ideally MICE (Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers)
• Membership with a recognised professional body
• Strong knowledge of:
• Earthworks
• Drainage systems
• Pipelines and chambers
• Reinforced concrete structures (typical within WWTW environments)
• Temporary works interfaces
• Excellent understanding of engineering drawing standards and multidisciplinary coordination
• Strong IT skills, including civil design and document management software

Technical Competencies

• Strong civil engineering technical expertise with awareness of related disciplines (MEP, process, structural, geotechnical)
• Ability to lead and check design outputs including drawings, calculations, and specifications
• In-depth understanding of:
• CDM regulations
• Health & safety by design
• Risk management
• Experience working to industry standards such as:
• DMRB
• British Standards (BS)
• Eurocodes
• UK water utility and AMP8 specifications (e.g. WIMES, Sewers for Adoption, client-specific standards)

Additional Expectations (Principal / Associate Level)

• Act as technical authority on complex WWTW / wastewater treatment plant design packages
• Lead multidisciplinary coordination across civil, process and MEICA teams
• Interface directly with utility end clients on AMP8 frameworks
• Provide strategic input into design delivery, standards and best practice
• Mentor and develop senior engineers and wider design teams
• Support bids, resource planning and commercial activities
• Represent the business at client meetings and technical reviews

Why Apply?

• Competitive rate up to £62.50 Ltd (subject to an IR35 assessment confirming outside status)
• Long-term contract aligned to AMP8 programmes
• Hybrid working (3 days in office)
• Opportunity to work on major wastewater treatment plant (WWTW) projects for leading UK utilities

Get in touch now

If you're seeking a new opportunity and think you have the relevant skills and experience our client is looking for, then this could be the opportunity for you, so apply now or contact Stuart Cooper via LinkedIn.

Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business.