About us

United Utilities’ (UU) mission is to deliver high-quality water for a more prosperous, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We are proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 20% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A £5,000 car allowance to support your travel needs
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working

Our projects are designed to be environmentally and socially responsible and will offer you opportunities to learn and grow throughout the project cycle. As part of our team, you could benefit from a range of training and development programs, such as APM Project Management Qualifications (PMQ), CIPS professional membership/chartered status / support to gain CEng/IEng status, leadership coaching, professional accreditation and mentoring. We are here to support you in reaching your full potential and thriving in your career and beyond.

The role

Are you a water hydraulics specialist looking for a fulfilling career where your expertise can make a real difference in both the environment and society? If so, United Utilities (UU) has an exceptional opportunity for you to join our Hydraulic Engineering team based in Warrington, Cheshire.

As Principal Hydraulic Engineer, you will play a key leadership role within United Utilities, providing expert Hydraulic Engineering guidance across the organisation. You’ll take ownership of a specific delivery area, working closely with internal clients and external partners, while fostering strong collaborative relationships. In this position, you'll lead and support hydraulic engineering initiatives across our Commercial, Engineering, and Capital Delivery functions, ensuring seamless alignment with business goals.

You will collaborate directly with the Chief Engineer, while also managing and guiding a team of talented technical professionals within the UU Engineering Discipline. Mentoring and supervising developing engineers across the business will also be a crucial part of your role, enabling you to share your knowledge and grow future leaders in the field of hydraulic engineering.

Beyond managing teams, you’ll be responsible for identifying key challenges, crafting forward-thinking strategies, and driving the prioritisation of innovative solutions. Building and nurturing relationships with critical internal and external stakeholders will be essential, as these partnerships will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of our hydraulic engineering initiatives and strategies.

We value flexibility and believe in a healthy work-life balance. With our hybrid working model, you’ll have the opportunity to work remotely, while also spending at least three days per week at our Lingley Mere site in Warrington. This allows for important face-to-face collaboration with your team. In addition, some travel to other sites across the North West will be required, particularly in the early stages of your role to help you fully integrate with the team.

At United Utilities, we provide a dynamic and supportive environment that encourages both professional and personal growth. As part of our team, you’ll have the chance to enhance your skills and contribute to impactful projects that benefit the entire North West of England. If you are passionate about leading change, driving sustainable projects, and shaping the future of hydraulic engineering, we encourage you to apply and become a valued member of the United Utilities family.

Key accountabilities

• Lead a team of technical resources, accountable for all technical decisions and project delivery in the water and wastewater capital programme within budget and schedule.
• Maintain strong relationships with internal clients and other disciplines, ensuring effective collaboration and positive feedback.
• Develop and improve UU’s engineering standards and procedures, ensuring compliance with Health and Safety legislation and CDM regulations.
• Provide technical consistency and governance across all business areas, adhering to the UU Engineering Quality Management Plan.
• Support industry recognition through technical leadership, including writing papers and mentoring developing engineers across the business.

Skills & experience

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Chartered engineer
• Strong technical competence, leadership skills and demonstrable track history delivering capital and strategic projects and providing operational support and influencing technical solutions
• Experience in leading successful multi-disciplinary teams in highly technical and commercial environments and an ability to build and develop high performing, successful collaborative relationships.
• Hold a current UK/EU driving licence.

Other

We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a variety of voluntary benefits that you can select according to your needs and preferences.

• Onsite gym and physio lounge with instructor-led gym classes and dedicated physiotherapist, onsite childcare and nursery, free parking and EV charging points, dedicated multi-faith/prayer rooms and free bus service for UU colleagues – Warrington only
• My Gym Discounts - 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
• Share Buy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes
• You may be entitled to relocation expenses of up to £8,000 for this position. This will depend on the outcome of an eligibility check

Further Information
More information can be found below:

• UU benefits: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/why-work-for-us/benefits-of-working-for-us/
• Pension information: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/pensions/
• UU careers: https://www.unitedutilities.com/corporate/careers/
• Data privacy: https://www.unitedutilities.com/privacy/

Selection Process Details
Your application will go through the following stages of assessment: