Civil Engineer Detailed Design- Associate Director

Water At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

This is more than a role, it’s your opportunity to shape some of the UK’s most ambitious water programmes during a once-in-a-generation transformation.

As an Associate Director/Principal, you’ll sit at the heart of delivery, setting the technical direction, influencing programme outcomes and leading the teams that make it happen. From detailed design to live construction, your decisions will drive safe, buildable, innovative solutions that stand the test of time.

You’ll be the trusted voice clients rely on, the technical leader teams look up to, and the driving force behind delivery excellence across complex Design & Build environments.

About the Opportunity

With unprecedented investment across AMP cycles and long-term frameworks, we’re growing — and we’re looking for leaders ready to step up and make a difference.

At Jacobs, you’ll:

• Lead from the front – owning technical strategy, governance, and final design sign-off across major water and wastewater projects
• Influence at scale – shaping programme-wide decisions, driving value engineering and commercial outcomes
• Champion delivery excellence – embedding constructability, safety and innovation into every solution
• Collaborate without boundaries – working across multidisciplinary teams, clients and delivery partners in truly integrated environments
• Develop and inspire – growing high-performing teams while advancing digital engineering, standardisation and modern methods of construction
• Drive growth – contributing to bids, strengthening client relationships and shaping the future of Jacobs’ water capability

This is a career-defining leadership role with a clear pathway toward Director level, where your expertise will have visible, lasting impact

Here's what you'll need

• Degree in Civil Engineering (or related discipline)
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) – ICE or equivalent
• Proven experience delivering complex detailed design in regulated water/wastewater environments
• Strong track record in Design & Build or alliancing delivery models
• The ability to act as a senior technical authority, resolving complex challenges with confidence
• Exceptional stakeholder and client engagement skills

And if you bring these, even better:

• Experience at programme or framework level
• Knowledge of NEC3 / NEC4 contracts
• Ability to influence commercial outcomes through technical leadership
• Strong digital and BIM capability
• Passion for business growth and strategic development

What’s In It for You

• A high-impact leadership role on nationally significant water programmes
• The chance to shape technical strategy and innovation at scale
• A clear pathway to Director-level progression
• Flexible working and a strong commitment to wellbeing and work-life balance
• A collaborative, forward-thinking culture with real investment in people and capability

Ready to make your mark?

Join us and help deliver the infrastructure our communities depend on — today and for generations to come.

Apply now and lead the change with Jacobs.

#LI-MF3

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs .

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our  Jacobs Employee Networks here .

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As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .

Locations

City State Country
Reading	Berkshire	United Kingdom
Glasgow	Lanarkshire	United Kingdom
Birmingham	West Midlands	United Kingdom
Stockton on Tees	County Durham	United Kingdom
Birchwood, Warrington	Cheshire	United Kingdom
Manchester	Greater Manchester	United Kingdom