Principal Water Resources Engineer

AECOM; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Principal Water Resources Engineer (Flooding) to lead flood risk assessments and hydraulic modelling in Melbourne. You'll mentor engineers and work with clients across Defence, water and infrastructure projects.

The role requires a Civil/Environmental or Water Eng degree and 8+ years of experience, strong TUFLOW skills, ARR knowledge, and ability to communicate complex findings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental or Water Engineering (or equivalent).
• 8+ years of experience in water resources engineering, flood modelling or flood risk management.
• Strong experience using TUFLOW and related modelling tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery and review of flood risk assessments, flood studies and hydraulic modelling projects.
• Undertake and review hydrologic and hydraulic modelling using TUFLOW and related software.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers across the Water Resources team.
• Support Defence, water, transport and major infrastructure projects with specialist flood engineering expertise.
• Work directly with clients and stakeholders to communicate technical findings and provide trusted advice.
• Contribute to project planning, delivery and quality assurance activities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop practical and innovative water management solutions.
• Ensure technical outputs align with ARR and industry standards.

Skills

Hydrology

Hydraulics

Flood Modelling

TUFLOW

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental or Water Engineering (or equivalent)

Tools

TUFLOW

Job description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world.

Whether improving commutes, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or helping communities better prepare for flood events, our work helps people and communities thrive.

As the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, we partner with clients to solve complex challenges and build lasting legacies. With accelerating infrastructure investment across Australia and New Zealand, there has never been a better time to join our growing Water team.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can bring their whole self to work. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and believe diverse perspectives help us deliver better outcomes for our clients and communities.

What will a day in this role look like?

Our Melbourne Water Resources team is looking for a Principal Water Resources Engineer (Flooding) to join our multidisciplinary team who are currently experiencing a strong pipeline of Defence, water and infrastructure projects.

This is a hands‑on technical leadership role where you'll apply your expertise in hydrology, hydraulics and flood modelling while working closely with clients, project teams and technical specialists across Australia and New Zealand.

You will play a key role in reviewing and delivering flood studies, providing technical oversight, supporting project teams and ensuring high‑quality outcomes across a range of complex projects.

The role will see you:

• Lead the technical delivery and review of flood risk assessments, flood studies and hydraulic modelling projects
• Undertake and review hydrologic and hydraulic modelling using tools such as TUFLOW and related software packages
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to engineers across the Water Resources team
• Support Defence, water, transport and major infrastructure projects with specialist flood engineering expertise
• Work directly with clients and stakeholders to communicate technical findings and provide trusted advice
• Contribute to project planning, delivery and quality assurance activities
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop practical and innovative water management solutions
• Ensure technical outputs align with Australian Rainfall & Runoff (ARR), industry standards and client requirements

The qualities that help you thrive

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental or Water Engineering (or equivalent)
• Approximately 8+ years' experience in water resources engineering, flood modelling or flood risk management
• Strong experience using TUFLOW and related hydrologic and hydraulic modelling tools
• Demonstrated capability reviewing and delivering flood studies and technical assessments
• Experience engaging directly with clients and stakeholders on technical flood‑related matters
• Strong understanding of Australian Rainfall & Runoff (ARR) and relevant state‑based flood planning requirements
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to multidisciplinary project teams
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Due to the nature of Defence-related projects, Australian Citizenship is essential and applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain Defence security clearances, including ITAR‑related requirements.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we live and work and pay our respects to their cultures and Elders past and present.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid working, flexible start and finish times, and the opportunity to work from one of our offices, client sites or remotely.

As part of a global business, you'll gain access to industry‑leading specialists, innovative projects and diverse career pathways across technical leadership, project management and people leadership.

Why Join AECOM?

• Work on nationally significant Defence, water and infrastructure projects
• Join a highly regarded Water Resources team known for technical excellence
• Access global expertise and industry‑leading flood modelling capability
• Flexible and hybrid ways of working to support your lifestyle
• Explore diverse career pathways across Australia, New Zealand and our global business

If you're passionate about delivering resilient water solutions and enjoy combining technical excellence with client engagement, we'd love to hear from you.

To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the landson which we, our clients and our communities live and workaround Australia.We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here:https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public-and-private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well‑being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry‑leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.