Principal Engineer, Process Engineering

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water: 

• We offer a VERY competitive salary, depending on experience 
• A company car lease scheme or a £2,510 cash allowance
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary) 
• Private health care (self only but family members can be added at cost to the employee)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution if the employee contributes 6% of their salary from April 2025)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary 
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day! 
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.  
• Retail savings scheme  
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

What we do:

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity. 

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Process Treatment Engineering is a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.  

Our teams of in-house, professionally qualified engineers focus on maximising the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of assets that we procure and then operate throughout their entire life cycle.  With an asset base that is large, distributed and very varied, we maximise available performance and improve the health of structures, machinery, pipelines and buildings; things that could have originated in the Victorian era all the way through to process plant that being constructed today.

The problems we face and the solutions we deliver can be complex and we cannot do this on or own. We collaboratively specify, design, deploy and manage technologies spanning civil structures, pipelines, chemical & biological treatment processes, mechanical machinery, HV & LV electrical distribution, control & automation, AI, machine-learning and IOT technologies.  We strive to create a sustainable legacy of assets, processes and talent that can serve the needs and meet the expectations of customers now and in the future. 

Where you fit in:

As our Principal Engineer, Process Engineering you will provide leadership and be the appointed Technical Authority/representative within Yorkshire Water for Process & Treatment Engineering covering both the Clean Water and Wastewater business units.  

Responsible for identifying and assuring compliance with relevant regulatory obligations the role defines policy, technical strategy, technical standards, procedures, business processes and provides best practice guidance in relation to their specific discipline.  The role also informs/focusses investment decisions and defines / advises upon the deployment of best practice in relation to improving operational performance, resilience, asset safety and safe working practices.

A key part of this role is to work collaboratively with Operational experts / risk owners to liaise with:

• UK regulators (EA, H&SE, DWI, OFWAT etc) & other external authorities 
• Relevant Engineering institutions
• Recognised working groups 

To ensure that Yorkshire Water always: 

• Proactively manages compliance 
• Proactively manages Process Safety 
• Ensures the integrity, accuracy and availability of regulatory reporting
• Proactively manages asset resilience
• Improves asset health

What skills & qualifications you will need to be / have:

• Chartered Engineer with membership of a UK engineering institute such as the IChemE.
• Degree qualified (level 6 or higher) in Chemical Engineering / Process Treatment field.
• Proven people leader with extensive experience of effectively working with Operators, Contractors, Business Leaders, Operational Managers and Senior Leaders/Directors.
• Knowledge and previous application of Process Safety Management principles
• Proven experience in leading studies covering risk assessment, Emergency Planning, Layer of Protection Analysis, Consequence Analysis, Hazard Study 1 to 6 and FMEA.
• Significant, proven industry relevant engineering/process experience which will include familiarity with high hazard plant 
• A working understanding of COMAH, DSEAR & COSHH regulations and associated obligations
• Experience of managing and leading a team with a proven track record of driving sustainable performance against challenging business targets.
• Experience of business planning, resource and budget management.
• Experience of strategic thinking, establishing clear strategic direction and implementing plans to deliver.
• Clearly demonstrates the Yorkshire Water company values and behaviours.

You will also benefit from having:

• Previous experience in an operational and / or strategic leadership role in a commercially orientated and / or regulated environment.
• Previous experience gained within the water or wastewater sectors or within the broader utilities, process or manufacturing industry sectors 
• Functional safety qualification e.g. TÜV FS Eng 
• Trained in application of layer of protection analysis (LOPA)
• Previous experience of ISO55000 Asset Management System
• Experience of leading and embedding change, able to influence and drive right culture and behaviours.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy! 

Do we sound like your cup of tea?   

If you’ve got the above experience and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.   

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are proud to serve the Yorkshire region and are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment that is reflective of the communities we serve. We strongly encourage candidates of all different backgrounds to apply.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date (December 9th), should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. 

No agencies please