Drainage Engineer (SuDs)

Drainage Engineer SuDs / Rainwater Management Technical Lead

Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington

Hybrid Working: 3 days per week on site

Help Shape a More Resilient North West

The North West is no stranger to rain. But as climate change, urban growth and increasing pressure on our drainage networks continue to reshape the region, how we manage rainwater has never been more important.

At United Utilities, we're delivering one of the UK's largest environmental investment programmes through the Big North West Upgrade. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform how rainwater is managed across our communities, creating greener places, reducing flood risk, improving river health and building resilience for future generations.

We're looking for an exceptional Rainwater Management Technical Lead to join us on this exciting journey.

This isn't just another technical role. It's an opportunity to influence how millions of people experience the environment around them, helping deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that make a real difference across the North West.

Why This Role Matters

Every rainfall event tells a story.

For too long, rainwater has been treated as a problem to move away as quickly as possible. At United Utilities, we're changing that approach.

We're creating smarter, greener and more sustainable ways to manage rainfall through the introduction of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and innovative blue-green infrastructure. These interventions help reduce flooding, protect local watercourses, enhance biodiversity and create more attractive, resilient communities.

As our Rainwater Management Technical Lead, you'll be at the centre of this transformation, providing expert design leadership and technical direction across some of the most significant environmental projects in our capital programme.

What You'll Be Doing

As our technical expert, you'll lead the design and technical delivery of innovative rainwater management solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects, strategic studies and transformation programmes.

You'll:

• Design and support the delivery of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)
• Develop solutions including swales, raingardens, green roofs, wetlands, ponds, bio-retention systems, tree pits and permeable paving. Components can include, but are not limited to; Swales, Rills, Soakaways, Bio-retention systems, Green Roofs,

Raingardens, Tree Pits, Ponds and Wetlands, Basins, Infiltration Trenches, Filter Drains, Permeable Paving, Rainwater

Harvesting, Reed Beds and Surface Water Separation.

• Explore additional ways for managing rainwater across the system e.g. Rainwater Harvesting to reduce water consumption, Reed Beds to help water quality and Surface water separation to reduce flooding/spills.
• Drive innovation to make rainwater management solutions more effective, affordable and scalable

Will use data driven insights and various analytical software to analyse, review, and challenge opportunities and proposals, ensuring optimal solutions are developed and recommended.

• Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary project teams
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, regulators, local authorities, design partners and delivery partners
• Ensure schemes maximise environmental, social and economic value through a Natural Capital approach
• Help create sustainable solutions that benefit customers, communities and the environment

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who combines technical expertise with a genuine passion for sustainable water management and environmental improvement.

You'll bring:

• A degree (or equivalent experience) in an environmental or relevant technical discipline
• Experience delivering projects and providing technical and design support
• Strong knowledge of Rainwater Management, SuDS, Nature-Based Solutions and blue-green infrastructure
• Understanding of drainage, flood risk and wider water industry challenges
• Appreciation of the multidisciplinary expertise behind successful rainwater management, including but not limited too; Landscape architecture, Earth Sciences including Geotechnical and Physical
• Geography, Hydrology, Ecology, Modelling, Civils, Hydraulics, Environmental Planning, Drainage, Flood Risk, Natural Flood Management (NFM) & Water Quali
• Excellent stakeholder engagent and proven communication skills (both verbal and written) with the ability to influence and persuade decisions at a project level internally and also externally with partners such as local authorities and regulators.
• Strong analytical and numerical capabilities with the ability to demonstrate value through design

Most importantly, you'll be motivated by the opportunity to create lasting environmental benefits and leave a positive legacy across the North West.

Why United Utilities?

This is your chance to join a business investing billions in the future of the region's water and wastewater infrastructure through the Big North West Upgrade.

You'll work alongside passionate and talented colleagues, influence major strategic decisions and help deliver projects that genuinely improve people's lives and the environment around them.

What You'll Get

✅ 26 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after 4 years, plus bank holidays

✅ Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution (21% combined)

✅ Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus

✅ Company-funded healthcare plan

✅ Hybrid working with 3 days per week at our stunning Lingley Mere campus in Warrington

✅ Recognition awards and development opportunities

✅ The opportunity to work on some of the UK's most ambitious environmental programmes

✅MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions

✅Best Doctors

✅Salary Finance

✅Wealth at Work courses

✅Deals and discounts

✅EVolve Car Scheme

✅Employee Assistance Plan

✅Mental health first aiders

✅ShareBuy

✅MORE Choices flexible benefit

✅Enhanced parental leave schem

Be Part of Something Bigger

The Big North West Upgrade is one of the largest environmental investment programmes in the country, and rainwater management sits at the heart of its success.

If you're passionate about sustainable drainage, nature-based solutions and creating a greener, more resilient future, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Join us and help reimagine how the North West manages rainwater for generations to come.

At United Utilities, we're changing that approach. We're creating smarter, greener and more sustainable ways to manage rainfall through the introduction of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and innovative blue-green infrastructure. If this is something you have transferable experience of we would love to hear from you!