Principal Civil Engineer

Are you a Principal civil engineering professional ready to shape the UK’s mission‑critical infrastructure?

You’ll join a team designing and delivering the civil engineering foundations behind high‑performance data centres across the UK. This role places you at the centre of hyperscale and colocation data‑centre development - projects that demand strategic thinking, robust technical delivery, and the ability to design resilient infrastructure supporting the UK’s rapidly expanding digital economy.

If you’re a civil engineer who thrives in a fast‑paced, engineering‑led environment - with genuine responsibility, visibility and the chance to shape nationally significant projects, this is your opportunity.

What's In It For You

• Leadership on Mission‑Critical Projects - Lead the civil design and delivery of hyperscale and colocation data centres throughout the UK - from feasibility assessments and planning submissions through to detailed design, construction support and commissioning. Your input will guide drainage performance, resilience, groundworks strategy and long‑term operational success.
• Strategic Client Partnership - Work closely with major UK and international clients, providing senior‑level direction, design assurance and value‑driven civil engineering solutions. You’ll translate complex site constraints into compliant, efficient and future‑proof strategies that position you as a trusted engineering advice.
• Technical Depth & Innovation - Manage civil engineering design packages including site layouts, drainage/SuDS, utilities, highways access, earthworks, foundations and overall site infrastructure. Ensure full alignment with UK Building Regulations, local planning policy, SuDS requirements, UK Water Authorities, BRE, and relevant BS/EN standards.
• Cross‑Disciplinary Collaboration - Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, structural, architecture, sustainability and BIM teams to deliver integrated engineering solutions that meet demanding performance and regulatory expectations for mission‑critical projects.

Essential Skills

• Extensive experience in civil engineering within the UK, ideally in mission‑critical, industrial, commercial, infrastructure or major development projects.
• Strong expertise in drainage/SuDS, utilities, earthworks, site development, pavement design and general civil infrastructure.
• Proficient knowledge of UK standards, including Building Regulations, BS/EN standards, CIRIA SuDS Manual, DMRB, and planning requirements.
• Strong capability with Civil 3D, MicroDrainage/InfoDrainage, AutoCAD and associated civil modelling tools.
• Proven background leading complex projects and multidisciplinary civil engineering teams.
• Excellent communication skills and confidence presenting to clients and authorities.
• Chartered status (CEng, MICE) or working toward professional accreditation.

You will be joining a community that focuses on learning and development through regular lunch and learn sessions, investment in accredited professional courses or educational programmes. You can set the pace for your professional development, and whatever path you choose, you will receive relevant support.

Company Overview

Black & White Engineering is a multi‑award‑winning engineering consultancy with offices across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.

We are a leading provider of engineering design services for the data centre sector, delivering expertise across Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Civil and Structural, Power Systems, Sustainability, BIM, Design Management and wider specialist infrastructure disciplines.

Our teams support projects across all areas of the construction industry, offering practical, efficient design solutions that prioritise real‑world installation, maintenance and operational performance.

As one of the fastest‑growing consultancies in our industry, we offer genuine opportunities for progression - many of our engineers have developed into leadership roles as the business has expanded. Joining Black & White means making a meaningful impact with clients and colleagues, while receiving the recognition you deserve.