Hydraulic Engineer

JACOBS; Greater London; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Hydraulic Engineer to support major water industry projects across the UK. You will contribute to feasibility, design and commissioning, delivering reliable water and wastewater infrastructure.

The role requires strong hydraulic modelling skills, experience in the UK water sector and a path toward Chartered Engineer or equivalent accreditation, with a hybrid working policy to balance site and office time.

Qualifications

• Experience in the UK water industry and understanding of hydraulic design principles.
• Proven ability to apply hydraulic modelling tools to real-world water/wastewater projects.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly and work with multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydraulic studies and develop design options for water infrastructure.
• Deliver projects from feasibility through detailed design, construction and commissioning.
• Collaborate with clients, other engineers and field teams to optimise outcomes.
• Support development of junior engineers and contribute to quality control.

Skills

UK water industry experience

Hydraulic design

Collaboration with multidisciplinary

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working towards professional accreditation

Tools

HADES

WinHydro

SWMM

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

The UK water sector is undergoing the biggest transformation in a generation—and you can be at the heart of it.

As a Hydraulic Engineer, you'll help deliver the infrastructure that keeps communities supplied with safe, reliable water while protecting the environment for future generations. Your work will directly support major investment programmes, improve resilience, drive sustainability, and shape the future of water and wastewater services across the UK.

This isn't just another engineering role. It's an opportunity to solve complex challenges, influence critical projects, and leave a lasting legacy.

What's In It For You? We're committed to helping you thrive—professionally and personally.

• Work on some of the UK's most exciting and high-profile water infrastructure projects
• Clear career progression opportunities, whether you're growing your expertise or stepping into technical leadership
• Flexible ways of working that support work-life balance
• Ongoing professional development and support towards chartership and career goals
• Collaborate with industry-leading specialists and multidisciplinary teams
• Meaningful work that delivers real environmental and community impact
• Be part of a sector experiencing unprecedented investment and long-term growth

About the Opportunity

There has never been a more exciting time to join the water industry. With major investment programmes underway and increasing focus on sustainability, resilience, and innovation, we're growing our Hydraulic Engineering teams across the UK.

We're looking for talented engineers at all levels to help deliver projects for some of the country's leading water companies, including United Utilities, Thames Water, Northumbrian Water, Severn Trent Water, and Anglian Water.

You’ll work across the full project lifecycle—from feasibility and detailed design through to construction and commissioning—contributing to projects involving:

• Water and wastewater treatment facilities
• Pumping stations
• Pressurised and gravity pipelines
• Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs)
• Reservoirs and river intakes
• Bioresources infrastructure
• Major Design & Build programmes

You’ll be part of a collaborative team where your ideas are valued, your expertise is trusted, and your development is actively supported.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Experience within the UK water industry
• Strong hydraulic engineering and design knowledge
• Experience using hydraulic modelling software such as HADES, WinHydro, SWMM, or similar
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly and confidently
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or actively working towards professional accreditation
• For senior roles, experience leading hydraulic studies and supporting the development of others

Ready to Make Your Mark?

The future of water is being built right now. If you're looking for work that matters, projects that challenge and inspire you, and a career where your impact can be seen for generations to come, we’d love to hear from you.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.