Hydraulic Engineer

Jacobs; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

UK water projects

Career progression

Flexible working

Chartership support

Collaborative teams

Environmental impact

Industry growth

Job summary

Jacobs in the UK is seeking a Hydraulic Engineer to help deliver vital water infrastructure. You will work on feasibility, detailed design, construction and commissioning across a range of projects for leading water companies.

You will join a collaborative team that values safety, inclusion and career development, with flexible working options and support toward chartership as you grow technical leadership and impact.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Water and wastewater facilities design and upgrade.
• Pumping stations design and optimization.
• Pipelines (pressurised and gravity) and CSOs.
• Reservoirs and river intakes development.
• Bioresources infrastructure involvement.
• Major Design & Build programmes involvement.

Skills

UK water industry

Hydraulic design

Hydraulic modelling

Technical communication

CEng aspirant

lead hydraulic studies

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

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.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.