Introduction — What you need to know and why
This page is here to help qualified engineers with experience in clean water and wastewater. You’ll find all the actionable advice you need to successfully continue your career in Britain.
The information below covers everything you need to know:
Where to find jobs in the water industry
What sorts of projects you’ll work on
How much money you can earn and
Other technical specifications that you should be aware of.
Where are jobs located?
While engineering positions are available all across Britain, most jobs are concentrated in the South East, particularly in London, due to the population distribution.
Consulting engineering jobs may be found in such locations as:
- London, Greater London
- Birmingham, West Midlands
- Manchester, Greater Manchester
- Bristol
- Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Liverpool, Merseyside
- Scotland
- Glasgow, Glasgow
Tip: If you have a preference for a particular part of England, make your plans clear to the recruitment consultants you are dealing with.
Outlook
As part of the UK being part of the EU, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is the most substantial element of water legislation. The Water Framework Directive required all inland and coastal waters to reach ‘good chemical and ecological status’ for surface waters and ‘good status’ for groundwater in terms of quality and quantity by 2015.
The consistent demand for sustainability, clean water resources, and environmental protection ensures a stable outlook for water engineers. In addition to this, the replacement and maintenance of an impressive network of infrastructure have traditionally always ensured water engineers find great opportunities.
Don’t miss our engineering video
Projects
The scope of projects is impressive in terms of both size and diversity.
Engineers are required for any projects involving the management of water. Working in the water industry, you may be required to perform any number of the following tasks:
Asset management
Network maintenance
Network design modelling
Project management (inc. water tunnel engineering)
Prospects
Water engineers with 3 or more years of experience may find work more easily. Having specialist experience in water modelling is very helpful in gaining contract employment quickly. If you’re coming from overseas, it’s important to apply to agencies and jobs before you arrive to give yourself the best chance at finding something suitable.
As your experience level increases, so will your job prospects. Engineers with 3-6+ years of experience will find a wider range of opportunities available, both in contract and permanent positions.
Recruitment agencies normally don’t represent graduate engineers. Graduates wishing to move to the UK should apply directly for a graduate position with a UK-based consultancy or water company. Depending on your experience, we recommend applying directly to consultancies that might be looking to fill contract or permanent roles (visa dependent).
Recruitment
Recruitment agencies play a crucial role in employment. Their business relies on providing quality candidates to employers while also supporting the candidate’s career growth.
To find your perfect job:
- Register with recruitment agencies. In order to find the best job, recruitment agencies will contact you for further discussions before submitting your CV to potential employers.
- Begin applying for jobs about three months before you arrive. If you register with an agency, your recruitment consultant will begin the process of arranging interviews.
- If your travel plans or arrival date changes, make sure you inform your recruitment consultant immediately.
- Be sure to include any Modelling experience or other software experience you have.
What types of positions are available?
Engineering positions generally follow this hierarchy:
- Graduate / Junior
- Senior
- Principal
Alternatively, an engineer may work exclusively as a:
- Modeller
- Design Engineer
- Project Manager
In England and Wales, engineering work is almost always for privately owned companies, while in Scotland and Northern Ireland, it’s typically under public agencies. This diverse landscape offers a range of prospects, including both contract and permanent positions within these organizations.
What are the earnings?
Jobs in the water industry are well-paid. As always, however, your earning power will depend on your experience, so new arrivals to the UK should not expect to earn premium rates right away.
The following tables provide a rough guide for the potential earnings of a water engineer:
| Grade | Experience (yrs) | Salary range p/a (Permanent*) |
|---|---|---|
| Assistant Engineer | 1-4 | £25-34K + additional cash compensation |
| Engineer / Senior Engineer | 4-8 | £34 – 48 K + additional cash compensation |
| Principal Engineer | 8+ | £58K-£62K |
| Title | Salary Range p/a (Permanent) |
|---|---|
| Modeller | £24 – 31 K |
| Design Engineer | £31 – 47 K |
| Lead project manager | £42 – 54 K |
The earnings you receive may be affected by a number of factors, such as:
- the particular project experience you possess
- the size and financial strength of the company
- the urgency of a company to have a project completed
- the location in which you work.
Working as a water engineer
Software and applications
To work as an engineer it is advantageous to be experienced in the use of water industry-specific software. Fortunately, this does not mean that you must have experience with UK-specific software because training or transition is usually offered (particularly in permanent roles).
Your qualifications in the UK
An appropriate engineering degree or diploma from an approved tertiary institution will usually be recognised.
Membership in a professional institution is not a prerequisite for engineers in the UK, although having such can boost your opportunities. Holding a Master of Science may be advantageous, though this is not required.
Important information for your CV
Be sure your CV includes a list of the projects you have worked on, including specific details of the scope of the projects and your responsibilities on these projects.
Information such as project value, type of project and a basic description of the work required will ensure that the full depth of your experience is communicated to recruitment consultants and potential employers.
Be sure to list your experience in reverse-chronological order (i.e. most recent experience first). Use lists and bullet points in order to enable the reader to quickly scan and understand your experience and abilities.
Example
Mar 2023 — Present
Company Name, Country
Graduate Water Engineer
Responsibilities:
- Providing water and wastewater services to numerous regional and rural communities with a total population of 106,000 customers across 49 towns and cities.
- Project Engineer — Asset Services (Budget £25M per annum)
- Use numerical data to create a database and validation report for Flood Planning levels
Software:
Sewer Hydraulic Modeling Software (Intermediate), Microsoft Access (Advanced), AutoCAD (Intermediate)
Table of Contents
Master the Art of Job Hunting in the UK
Your Essential Guide to Navigating and Succeeding in the Competitive UK Job Market
Unlock the secrets to landing your dream job. Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or an international job seeker, this book provides the tools you need to craft standout applications, ace interviews, and secure the perfect position. Don’t let the competitive job market hold you back—equip yourself with the knowledge and confidence to succeed with this indispensable resource.
