Project Engineer

About us

At United Utilities, what we do matters.

Every day, we provide essential water and wastewater services that support millions of people, protect the environment and help communities thrive across the North West. As we continue to invest in our wastewater network, we're looking for a talented Project Engineer to help deliver critical infrastructure improvements that will shape our network for years to come.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of capital projects, work with industry-leading partners, and play a key role in delivering investment programmes that improve customer service, environmental performance and network resilience.

The role

As a Project Engineer, you'll act as the focal point within a designated geographical area for both short and long-cycle capital investment across the wastewater network.

Working closely with operational teams, commercial partners, framework contractors and stakeholders across the business, you'll help identify investment needs, develop engineering solutions and oversee project delivery from concept through to completion.

You'll be responsible for delivering Very Small Projects (VSPs), supporting reactive investment schemes, providing technical expertise and ensuring projects are delivered safely, efficiently and in line with agreed time, cost, quality and impact objectives.

What You'll Be Doing

Project Development & Delivery

• Lead and support the delivery of wastewater network capital investment projects within your area.
• Contribute to Investment Approval Process (IAP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) forums.
• Develop engineering solutions that deliver the best outcome for customers, the environment and the business.
• Manage projects through their full lifecycle, from concept and design through to delivery and handover.
• Monitor project performance against budget, programme and quality targets.

Technical Engineering Support

• Gather, analyse and interpret asset and operational data to support investment decisions.
• Review survey information and recommend appropriate remedial solutions.
• Prepare technical documents, project scopes, drawings and specifications.
• Ensure all projects are designed and constructed in line with asset standards and operational requirements.
• Provide ongoing technical support to infrastructure and non-infrastructure delivery teams.

Programme & Contractor Management

• Prepare PCI packs and project documentation to support commercial pricing activities.
• Coordinate contractor activities and facilitate project meetings.
• Monitor contractor performance and delivery commitments.
• Identify, assess and manage project risks, constraints and dependencies.
• Implement quality assurance processes throughout project delivery.
• Maintain accurate project records and documentation.

Stakeholder & Customer Engagement

• Work closely with County Performance Teams, Commercial Partners, Framework Contractors and specialist service providers.
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Support customer communications and coordinate access requirements for surveys and project works.
• Manage project-related issues, queries and customer complaints professionally and effectively.
• Provide regular progress updates to Programme Managers and stakeholders.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Undertake duties under the CDM Regulations as Designer and/or Principal Designer where applicable.
• Ensure compliance with wastewater network policies, procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Support the production and review of Operations & Maintenance manuals, Health & Safety files and As-Built drawings.
• Coordinate land access requirements and statutory notices where required.
• Promote a strong safety culture across all project activities.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a motivated engineering professional who combines technical expertise with strong project delivery and stakeholder management skills.

Essential

• Degree or HNC in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Alternatively, a minimum of five years' relevant wastewater network experience.
• Strong knowledge of sewer networks and maintenance techniques.
• Experience supporting or delivering engineering projects.
• Good project cost estimation and budget management experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage priorities and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Strong customer focus and stakeholder management capability.
• Good Knowledge of sewer defect condition surveys to MSCC5 standard
• Good knowledge of sewer remediation including manhole and sewer replacement, sewer relining and patching.

Desirable

• Knowledge of pumping station operation principles.
• Understanding of sewerage legislation and its practical application.
• Awareness of CDM Regulations and NRSWA requirements.
• Knowledge of Water Industry Specifications and asset standards.
• Experience using systems such as JIRA, OneMap, MyRisk or similar.
• Experience within a regulated utility or infrastructure environment.

What You'll Bring

• A collaborative and proactive approach.
• Strong organisational and planning skills.
• The ability to influence and build relationships across multiple teams.
• A commitment to continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
• A focus on delivering safe, high-quality outcomes for customers and stakeholders.

Why United Utilities?

Joining United Utilities means becoming part of a business that is investing billions in improving infrastructure, protecting the environment and delivering outstanding service to customers across the North West.

In return, you'll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, develop your career and play a direct role in shaping the future of wastewater services.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary
• Annual performance-related bonus
• Generous pension scheme
• Excellent annual leave entitlement
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Clear career progression pathways
• The opportunity to work on major infrastructure investment programmes

Ready to Make an Impact?

If you're looking for a role where you can combine technical expertise, project delivery and stakeholder engagement while contributing to projects that genuinely matter, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us deliver a stronger, more resilient wastewater network for the future.