Geotechnical Engineer - Dam Break Specialist

WSP Global Inc.; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a skilled dam engineering specialist to contribute from concept to detail design. You will work with engineers and scientists on tailings facilities, water impoundments and related civil projects worldwide. Travel within the UK and internationally is expected, with overnight stays as needed to support client delivery.

You will mentor graduate team members and help prepare proposals while maintaining strong client relationships and adhering to WSP standards and safety policies.

Qualifications

• Experience in dam breach analysis or flood consequence assessment.
• Ability to develop hydraulic and debris-flow models.
• Strong technical writing for regulatory submissions.

Responsibilities

• Undertake dam breach and flood modelling studies with parameter development and interpretation.
• Develop hydraulic and debris-flow models and support risk analyses.
• Prepare technical reports, drawings and cost estimates.
• Collaborate with geotechnical, hydrology and water management specialists.

Skills

Dam breach analysis

Tailings modelling

Hydraulic modelling

Risk assessment

Technical reporting

Client communication

Project budgeting

Team mentoring

Tools

QGIS

FLO-2D

HEC-RAS

Civil 3D

Job description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and chances to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

A little more about your role:

• Work as part of a diverse team of engineers, scientists and modellers from conceptual design through to detail design and engineering
• Provide specialised technical input focused on tailings management facilities, heap leach facilities, water impoundments and waste rock dump design, soil mechanics, soil improvement methods, geosynthetic materials engineering and related civil engineering work for projects worldwide
• Assist project managers in the successful delivery of projects by managing own involvement in projects, including time, budget and quality control
• Prepare technical reports, drawings, specifications, bill of quantities, and cost estimates
• Exciting opportunities to travel within the UK and Internationally to assist clients in solving engineering problems and support construction of WSP designs. Travel outside of UK will require overnight stays, and likely duration will depend on the nature of the project/client needs and project location
• Develop and maintain good relationships with new and existing clients and be able to effectively represent WSP on site
• Liaise with the Mining Team networks, which include specialists within WSP both nationally and internationally. To include participation in Europe’s Mining Team meetings and calls as and when required
• Provide mentoring and coaching to other team members of graduate level
• Assist others in carrying out business development activities including preparation of technical proposals
• Act in the spirit of WSP's values and do not misinterpret their meaning. Adhere to the WSP Code of Conduct at all times and raise concerns as appropriate. Regularly familiarise self with the Code of Conduct and how it is applicable to own role/position within the organisation
• Display a ‘safety first’ attitude in line with an interdependent health and safety culture, promote positive health and safety, raise safety issues through the appropriate channels and adhere to WSP health and safety policy and procedures.

Ensure actions and behaviours are aligned to WSP's Equality Policy at all times

What we will be looking for you to demonstrate

• Undertake dam breach and flood modelling studies, including breach parameter development, model setup, simulation, and result interpretation.
• Develop and manage hydraulic and debris‑flow models
• Perform consequence assessments, including:
  • Inundation mapping
  • Impact classification
  • Consequence evaluation
• Support risk analysis activities, including failure mode definition and consequence evaluation.
• Interpret and apply material characterisation and rheological laboratory test data(e.g. yield stress, viscosity, flow behaviour) for use in numerical models.
• Prepare clear, concise technical reports, figures, and appendices suitable for regulatory submission and independent review.
• Collaborate with geotechnical, hydrology, and water management specialists across projects.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in dam breach analysis, tailings breach modelling, or flood consequence assessment.
• Demonstrated capability in one or more of the following software packages:
  • QGIS
  • FLO‑2D
  • HEC‑RAS
  • Civil 3D
• Understanding of material behaviour and rheologyrelevant to tailings or debris‑flow modelling.
• Experience supporting or contributing to risk assessments and consequence classification studies.
• Technical writing skills, with experience producing professional, well‑structured reports.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to internal teams and clients.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with tailings storage facilities (TSFs)or dam safety projects.
• Familiarity with international guidelines and frameworks, such as:
  • GISTM
  • CDA / ANCOLD / ICOLD guidance
• Experience working on mining or large infrastructure projects.

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Join our close-knit community of talented individuals who share your passion for making a positive impact. Our global team includes more than 69,000 employees, working together to make a difference in communities both close to home and around the world.