Programme Engineering Lead

Reading, Berkshire
This is a fantastic secondment opportunity for a 9 to 12 month period.

In this role you will set direction, manage the engineering resources and ensure effective working. You will recommend business cases at SG1 for preferred solutions with the right technical options, and have whole life technical ownership to benefit realisation. You will report directly to their Mobilisation Quadrant Lead on Programme Engineering matters and work closely with the Programme Manager.​

What you’ll be doing as a Programme Engineering Lead
  • You will be responsible for driving progress with the technical team to deliver TW business plan objectives and outputs.
    • You will collaborate with the Sponsor to develop the scope statement and prepare the Technical Delivery Plan by ensuring the right resource capabilities to deliver the technical demand, encouraging innovation and creativity to deliver value and benefit.
    • Supporting the Engineering Efficiencies Manager in identifying synergies and dependencies with other programmes to inform an optimised Programme Plan (Programme Manager owns the plan).
    • Ensures programme is technically optimised to be delivered under budget where practicable and providing progress information to the PM.
    • Working with wider engineering to ensure cross programme consistencies.​
    • Ensures technical governance is complied with and that TW processes, systems and tools are utilised accordingly. Identifies risks and opportunities, to be raised to the Programme Manager and on to the Sponsor where required.
    • Accountable for identifying and mitigating technical risks.
    • Supporting contractor engagement and investigations and agree work-pack scope and affordability.
    • Sign off to SODA level for decisions, cost and scope assurance at SG1 and preparing the scope for the TW cost estimating team ePMO meetings.​
    • Accountable for compliance with governance and standards. Works with technical discipline leads and modelling to produce technical options.
Base location: Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB with occasional travel to sites within Thames water area

What you should bring to the role
  • You will be self-starting, resilient and tenacious under pressure, with a desire to successfully deliver projects to time, cost and quality.
    • Significant experience in a senior capacity in a technical or construction role within the water industry.
    • Experienced in developing and implementing processes and procedures on a large scale, particularly in relation to technical quality and continuous improvement.
    • Strong commercially awareness with a good practical understanding of engineering contracts.
    • A great leader and team player with the ability to work collaboratively in a challenging project
    • Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution, or equivalent
    • Strong knowledge and understanding of the business and regulatory framework.
    • A drive to build a high-performing team.
    • Excellent communication skills and customer service ethic.
    • Technically astute and inquisitive, this individual will drive an intelligence and rigour in the engineering programme.
    • A drive to build a high-performing team.
What’s in it for you?
  • Competitive salary
    • 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
    • Generous Pension Scheme through AON
    • Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Wate r

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Posted 2026-04-21

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