Water Engineer

Join Our Team: Water Engineer (Water Management Team), North region - Yorkshire focus

Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.

The Water Management Team plays a vital role in keeping the canal network operating safely and sustainably, ensuring a reliable water supply for navigation while protecting the natural environment. The Water Engineer role is responsible for the strategic and operational management of water resources across the network, typically covering one of six regions in England and Wales, and supports safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible water delivery.

The role includes managing water resources, assessing hydraulic structures to control flows, and providing crucial guidance on flood‑risk & drought management measures. This work is supported using telemetry and SCADA systems to monitor water levels, flows, and asset performance, enabling informed, data‑driven decisions.

Working closely with engineering, operational, strategic and environmental teams, the role helps optimise asset performance, reduce water loss, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. A strong focus is placed on long‑term resilience, including assessing the impacts of climate change, drought, and extreme weather, to shape sustainable water management strategies across the network.

Find out more about our Water Management Team by clicking the link. Managing our water at the Canal & River Trust | Canal & River Trust

Working Hours & Location

This role follows 37 hours, Monday to Friday working pattern. The vacancy will be offered on a remote working basis, with a requirement to attend our main hub spaces as and when required. Travel is a key component of the role, undertaking site inspections and field-based work across the network. Occasional overnight stays may be required to facilitate site visits across geographically dispersed assets.

The vacancy covers the Yorkshire region of the Trust's network. Our relevant regional hubs include Leeds and Newark See our network here UK Canal Network Map | Canal & River Trust

Role Overview

The Water Engineer role sits within a small specialist engineering team, working within the wider Water Management Team assisting/advising the wider Trust and external partners on water‑related issues and projects across the Yorkshire network. Responsibilities include optimising water supply and demand, overseeing hydraulic/water control assets, and managing flood risk using real‑time telemetry and SCADA data. The role provides technical leadership across asset management, maintenance planning, capital programmes, and incident response, including drought and flood events. It also contributes to long‑term resilience through sustainable water management and climate‑change adaptation, while engaging effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Asset Management responsibilities on water resource and control assets.
• Water Control.
• Flood Risk assessment/reduction.
• SCADA managing water control telemetry.
• Support on wider Trust projects providing guidance on water control flood risk.
• Statutory Consultee in the Local Authority planning process.
• Working with partner agencies and authorities representing the Trust.
• Water Abstraction and Licensing.

About You

In addition to the technical skills described below, the Water Engineer (Water Management) must be an excellent communicator who can establish and maintain relationships with both internal and external parties to help achieve shared goals. You will need the ability to deliver achievable plans while collaborating with key stakeholders - all while protecting the interests of the Trust and promoting our position.

Skills & Qualifications

Technical Skills

• Experienced in civil engineering, ideally within the water/wastewater sector, including flood risk management, drainage design, and asset management.
• Experience in the design and delivery of network assets and infrastructure.
• Good knowledge of health and safety practices, asset management, and the natural environment.
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach, with the ability to work effectively across cross-functional teams, stakeholders, contractors, and internal and external partners.
• Confident in decision-making, with the ability to balance competing risks, priorities, and resources across multiple functions.
• Familiarity with regulatory standards within the UK water industry.
• Experience in data analytics and instrumentation, with the ability to utilise SCADA and telemetry systems to optimise performance

Qualifications

• A degree in Civil Engineering (BEng) or a postgraduate qualification (such as an MSc), or equivalent experience in a relevant subject,
• Working at Incorporated level or working towards making an application for Incorporated membership of a professional body e.g. ICE, CIWEM.

General Skills

• Experience working in diverse, multi‑disciplinary teams, with strong communication skills and the ability to present technical information to non‑technical audiences.
• Confidence in decision‑making, supporting colleagues and partners and balancing wider business needs.
• Experience managing workloads and working to deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital tools, with experience using GIS or mapping systems.
• A valid driving licence and access to a vehicle, as the role requires travel to sites not accessible by public transport.

Contact & Application

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at CRT.recruitment@canalrivertrust.org.uk. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.

What We Offer

In addition to your annual base salary of £38,720 - £44,140 we also offer Car Cash Allowance (£390 per month), a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1.

Learn more: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/our-benefits

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