Civil Engineer – Southern Water

We are seeking a new Civil Engineer to join our multi-disciplined design team working on Ward & Burke schemes within Southern Water’s area of operation. This role is design-focused, suitable for individuals with 3 – 5 years of experience in civils and temporary works design. The role will comprise primarily office-based design work, with frequent trips to site to discuss designs with the project delivery teams, review progress, and learn lessons from delivery to feedback into future designs.

The candidate will be integrating into a multi-disciplinary team that is responsible for the end-to-end design of projects, from pre-planning through to commissioning and final handover. Projects typically consist of upgrades to existing water treatment works, designing around complex constraints from existing structures, ecology, and new process requirements to produce the most efficient TOTEX systems. Example structures the candidate will be designing range from settlement tanks and pipework thrust blocks/supports, to more complex shafts and detention tanks, and also inputting into new reservoirs or modifications to existing reservoirs, which Ward and Burke are currently undertaking.

As well as these permanent structures, it would be beneficial for the successful candidate to also be interested in designing temporary works to enable the construction of the permanent works.

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

• Review incoming Civil jobs and develop clear design briefs.
• Maintain and update the design registers.
• Carry out the design for a range of civil engineering activities, including producing design calculations, risk assessments, sketches for drafting, reinforcement intents, concrete mix designs, etc..
• Travel to site to discuss designs with delivery teams, take onboard feedback, and develop the most efficient solutions.
• Travel to site to review progress during construction and ensure designs are executed correctly.

Technical Experience

• 3 – 5 years of experience in civil engineering and/or temporary works design, essential.

 Candidates are required to have a good knowledge of the following:

• Design of structures using British Standard and Eurocode methods.
• Design of concrete structures, including the basics of rebar specifying and mix design.
• Interpreting of ground investigation reports.
• Use of 2D Cad software.
• Use of Finite Element Modelling software.
• High-quality written and spoken English, for report writing and effective communication to both technical and non-technical people.

Additionally, candidates should have practical and design experience in some or all of the following areas:

• Excavations, cofferdams, slope stability, and trench support systems.
• Crane and piling working platforms.
• Concrete pours, shuttering and sequencing.
• Protection of buried services.
• Back propping and temporary support.
• Lifting equipment and design for lifting (anchors etc.).
• Programming (Python preferrable).

Working Pattern & Location

The primary work location can be flexible, with the candidate based at one of the three following locations:

• The Ward & Burke London Office (25-26 Ivor Place, London, NW1 6HR).
• The Ward & Burke Havant project Office (Meyrick Road, Havant, PO9 1NR).
• Site based at one of the larger southern water projects (typically between Battle and Portsmouth).

1 day/week hybrid work is possible and typical hours are 08:00–18:00 Mon–Thu, 08:00–16:00 Fri (approx. 48 hrs/week).

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 /year (dependent on experience).
• 27 days holiday (including a 2‑week Christmas shutdown aligned with Joint Construction Council) + bank holidays.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must currently reside in the UK.
• 3 – 5 years of experience in civil engineering and/or temporary works design.

To apply, please complete the form below or email careers@wardandburke.com referencing the job code UK_SW_CENG_172.