Principal Civil Engineer

Location/s: Madrid or Seville; ES

Recruiter contact: Maria Cervantes

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business division

Our Water Utility Division and Water Consultancy Division both have ambitious growth plans aligned with the significant investment needs of AMP8 (2025–2030) and the broader water sector, particularly in the development of Strategic Resource Options to address future water supply challenges. We are proud of our strong reputation in the industry, which is allowing us to expand our business across both divisions. Together, we cover all phases of the project lifecycle—from feasibility studies through detailed design, construction support, and commissioning to handover—and provide specialist technical support to colleagues across our global business. This offers fantastic opportunities to get involved in diverse and technically complex work.

Overview of the role

we have an exciting opportunity for a talented Civil Engineer to join our team in Spain to support the delivery of our UK clients’ water and wastewater programmes.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

Undertaking studies, concept, preliminary and detailed design

Leading multi-disciplinary design teams in project delivery

Project management duties, including programme and financial management for small to medium sized projects

Review of design submissions to ensure compliance with contract requirements

Conduct discipline checker role on standard outputs

Interfacing and liaising with clients and other stakeholders

Mentoring and contributing to the development of junior staff

Working with resource leads to coordinate project resources and to grow and develop our capability through recruitment and training

Business development including providing specialist support to our Account Leaders and Practices and leading on proposals and tenders in the water and wastewater fields

Challenge of the client’s technical standards and the acceptance of waivers and deviations, relevant to their discipline

At Mott MacDonald you will have control of your own career path and great prospects for career progression as the business continues to grow. We can offer development in technical, management or client-facing directions. We are looking for a driven individual, keen to make a difference in the sector, take wide responsibilities and progress professionally.

Candidate specification

Essential:

Civil Engineering or other relevant degree

Experience of leading engineering design and/or multi-disciplinary design teams on water or wastewater projects

Solid knowledge of water or wastewater specifications and standards

Strong communication skills to interact with other disciplines and clients, and to develop and promote the team

A team leader capable of managing and motivating individuals to consistently delivery

Willingness to contribute to and develop technical knowledge networks

A drive to be abreast of professional development and knowledge of current and emerging technical solutions

Proactive approach, with an ability to adapt to changing scenarios

Desirable:

Chartered Status (CEng) with a recognised Professional Institution

Experience with NEC PS contracts

Good understanding of designers’ responsibilities under CDM

Strong digital capability (e.g. Civils 3D, GIS, hydraulic modelling software)

Contributed towards the identification and development of low carbon solutions

Experience in the UK water sector would be advantageous although not necessary.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Agile working

Happy to talk Flexible Working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Competitive annual leave

Pension scheme

Life insurance

An annual professional institution subscription

Private medical insurance

Optional benefits via salary sacrifice (restaurant voucher/transport card/day care voucher)

Continuous development opportunities – because we want you to thrive

Agile/flexible working – because life isn’t 9-5

Annual bonus scheme

Wellbeing support including access to an independent Employer Assistance Scheme, wellbeing champions and access to learning and support resources

Access to our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities

The opportunity to make a difference; learn more about our social outcomes

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.

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