Principal Engineer - Water

Job Description

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the end-to-end design and delivery of major water infrastructure projects, including potable water, stormwater drainage, foul sewerage, TSE/irrigation networks, and hydrological systems.
• Provide technical leadership in hydrology, hydraulic modelling, and wet utilities design in alignment with Abu Dhabi authority standards and international best practices.
• Manage and coordinate multidisciplinary teams, ensuring seamless integration between civil, structural, environmental, transport, and other engineering disciplines.
• Deliver high-quality technical outputs, including design reports, modelling outputs, specifications, drawings, tender documents, and engineering studies.
• Steer client engagement, presenting design solutions, providing subject-matter expertise, and ensuring superior stakeholder communication.
• Guide authority submissions and interface with Abu Dhabi authorities (e.g., ADM, ADQCC, AD Ports, ADSSC/ADDCD), ensuring compliance and timely approvals.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers, promoting technical excellence and knowledge transfer within the team.
• Support project managers in planning, budgeting, risk management, and overall technical strategy for major programmes.
• Drive quality assurance by ensuring adherence to internal quality management processes and health & safety standards.
• Contribute to business development, including proposal preparation, bid support, technical presentations, and client relationship building.
• Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends in water engineering to integrate sustainable and innovative solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related discipline (Master’s degree preferred).
• 10–12+ years of experience in water infrastructure design, hydrology, or wet utilities engineering, preferably within an engineering consultancy.
• Proven experience delivering large-scale water or wet utilities projects specifically within Abu Dhabi, with strong knowledge of relevant authority standards, manuals, and approval processes.
• Demonstrated leadership in managing multidisciplinary teams and overseeing complex infrastructure project delivery.
• Advanced proficiency in hydrological and hydraulic modelling tools and software such as InfoWorks, EPANET, WaterGEMS, SewerGEMS, StormCAD, Civil 3D, and similar platforms.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, including client-facing leadership and presentation capabilities.
• Ability to navigate the local regulatory landscape and maintain strong working relationships with Abu Dhabi authorities.
• Commitment to innovation, sustainable design, and continuous improvement.
• What if we can have work-life balance?
• What if we can be rewarded in ways that support our individual needs?
• What if we can be accepted for who we are?
• Here at WSP – we can!
• WSP recognizes that work is only one part of our lives and making time for the other things in our life is important – be that our families, our friends or ourselves.
• So, if working from home, working part-time or having flexible start and finish time will help with this let us know as part of your application.
• As well as rewarding you with competitive pay, WSP offers standard benefits including first class medical cover, generous days annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions.
• Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.
• Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact.
• Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.
• With us, you can.
• Apply today.