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Chief Process Engineer (Wastewater)
Costain Group
Source: Headcount Labs · original listing ↗
Job data: Headcount Labs, ODbL 1.0. Job descriptions belong to their employers.
Posted Oct 14
About this role
Job Description As AMP8 ramps up, we are looking for a Chief Process Engineer ideally based in the North West of England to join our to join our Asset Optimisation Team and support multiple clients, including United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, and Yorkshire Water. Our team provides wastewater process engineering consultancy to support our clients across the UK to get the very best from their assets and programmes. We are an agile technical team of process engineers working within capital delivery frameworks and on the front line with operational teams to develop innovative, practical and digital process solutions. Our team delivers optimisation studies at feasibility, concept, optioneering and preliminary design stages to mitigate risk, return sites to compliance, or enable low or no build solutions to be provided. This opportunity to take on the Chief Engineer role at Costain is not just about fulfilling a position; it is about significantly strengthening and advancing the team, this role is critical for unlocking greater team capacity and fostering growth. The potential impact extends beyond the role itself, contributing to the overall success and development of the team and our services. As a Chief Engineer, you will provide strategic support and technical direction to our Northern water sector frameworks to define and shape projects and programmes. You will develop and lead the execution of asset optimisation projects and direct teams to propose, develop, and define process optimisation solutions. This a home-based role with site/office attendance as per business / client needs so flexibility to travel is required, our Northern office is based in Manchester so this role will ideally suit someone based in the North West of England. LI-MR1 To act as focal point for process technical discipline within our water sector frameworks. To direct teams in the execution of process deliverables with accountability for quality, budget, and schedule. To ensure technical assurance during design development. Technical thought leadership and strategic consultancy advise to clients and joint venture partners. Work collaboratively with business development, work winning and marketing functions to develop and tender new opportunities. Approval of process design deliverables such as calculations, drawings, reports, presentations and proposals. Grow our team capability and service to our AMP Frameworks Lead troubleshooting and embedding solutions Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Essential Significant and proven UK experience including significant experience in the design, operation, and optimisation of wastewater treatment plants. Knowledge of the UK water utility asset life cycle process. Project management experience. A background in an engineering consultancy or contracting design environment as well as operational utility experience. Ability to independently drive teams and projects. Proactive, self-motivated and solutions biased. Strong interpersonal skills, collaborate and ability to influence senior colleagues Desirable Comprehensive knowledge of the UK Regulatory environment. Experience in the full project lifecycle: scoping, outline design, detailed design, construction support commissioning and handover. Proven background in process engineering definition including development of mass balance, data analysis, design calculations, technology selection, major equipment and package datasheet specification, process flow diagrams, process control philosophies and P&ID’s. Excellent commercial awareness and business development skills. Stakeholder and project management awareness. Proven leadership and line management experience. Essential Degree level (or equivalent) in a Process related discipline Chartered Engineer (CEng MICE / CEng MIStructE) Desirable Member of a relevant engineering institution e.g. CIWEM, IChemE. Post Graduate Qualification Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery. Our culture and values underpin everything we do. Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase. We do share individual feedback following an interview. A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to the Disability Confident website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/disability-confident-campaign Job Info Job Identification 103029 Job Category Engineering Posting Date 10/14/2026 Degree Level University Job Schedule Full time Locations Greater Manchester, United Kingdom (Hybrid) Contract Type Permanent Driving Required Yes Security Clearance Required No