Principal / Associate Flood Forecasting Modeller

AECOM; St Albans; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Career development opportunities

Volunteering days

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

AECOM Water is seeking a Principal or Associate to join the Water team in the UK, focusing on real-time flood forecasting and broader hydrology projects. You will lead teams to deliver modelling work for clients including the Environment Agency and collaborate across disciplines.

You will calibrate and apply hydrological models, supervise junior staff, and contribute to bids. AECOM offers a hybrid working model, competitive pay, and development opportunities in a global firm.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in flood forecasting modelling (Flood Modeller).
• Knowledge of Environment Agency requirements and compatible modelling systems.
• Proven ability to calibrate hydrological models for flood forecasting.
• Strong GIS and data analysis skills with gauge rating experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of real-time flood forecasting projects for clients.
• Develop, calibrate and validate flood forecasting models (Flood Modeller, etc.).
• Produce high-quality technical reports detailing model build and uncertainties.
• Mentor team members and contribute to tenders for key clients.

Skills

Flood forecasting modelling

Flood Modeller

GIS

Python

Hydrology

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Flood Modeller

HEC-RAS

ICM

MIKE 11

Python

Job description

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Start here. Grow here.

“Are you ready to join a team of flood risk specialists and shape the future of the Water Industry?”

We’re looking for a Principal or Associate to join our growing Water team. You’ll play a senior technical role, leading teams to deliver real-time flood forecasting projects, while helping to expand our services with the Environment Agency and beyond.

Although your primary focus will be on flood forecasting, you’ll also have opportunities to work on wider hydrology and non-real-time modelling projects.

Here’s what you’ll do

• Produce and review Flood Forecasting Inception Stage Reports, including assessing the quality of existing models and hydrometric data.
• Develop, calibrate, and check flood forecasting models (e.g. PDM, Flood Modeller).
• Carry out non-real-time modelling and hydrological analysis using tools such as Flood Modeller, ICM, HEC-RAS, MIKE 11, and FEH hydrological methods.
• Produce and review high-quality technical reports, documenting model build and associated uncertainties.
• Lead and contribute to tenders for key clients.
• Mentor and support team members in their professional development.
• Build strong relationships with clients and colleagues across disciplines.
• Stay up to date with legislation and guidelines relevant to our services.
• Use AECOM’s project management systems to deliver high-quality outputs on time and within budget.

Become part of our dynamic Water business, which boasts around 600 experts across the UK & Ireland. Collaborate with top-tier engineers and consultants to deliver a variety of captivating projects, from small initiatives to large-scale ventures, all the way from concept to completion.

If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, we want to hear from you! Why not give our AECOM Water page on LinkedIn a follow to stay updated on the impactful projects we're working on and see firsthand the difference we're making in the industry!

Come grow with us.

Become part of our dynamic Water business, which boasts around 700 experts across the UK & Ireland. Collaborate with top-tier engineers and consultants to deliver a variety of captivating projects, from small initiatives to large-scale ventures, all the way from concept to completion.

At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued – and let's not forget about the perks! You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well-being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, technical practice networks, AECOM University, volunteering days and our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work‑life balance that suits your lifestyle. We recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different, so we’re happy to discuss part-time or flexible working arrangements that suit you.

Why Join Us:

• Be part of a dynamic team that tackles challenging and impactful water projects.
• Work alongside industry-leading professionals and thought leaders.
• Engage in a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Access to continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Enjoy the flexibility to work in a way that fits your lifestyle while supporting a healthy work–life balance.

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Here’s what we’re looking for:

• Significant experience in flood forecasting modelling (Flood Modeller).
• Strong knowledge of Environment Agency requirements, including preparing flood forecasting models compatible with their Incident Management Forecasting Systems.
• Proven ability in applying and calibrating hydrological models in flood forecasting (e.g. Muskingum-Cunge, Probability Distribution Model).
• Excellent analytical skills, with experience in processing and analysing hydrometric data, including gauge rating reviews.
• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or another relevant discipline.
• Strong GIS skills (QGIS, ArcGIS and/or MapInfo).
• Practical knowledge of scripting (Python, Anaconda, Ruby, or similar) would be an advantage.

You will also be self‑motivated with an ability to work both autonomously where required, with a strong sense of commitment, a willingness to learn and a desire to work in a dynamic deadline driven team environment.

At AECOM, we believe in creating a better world through innovative and sustainable solutions. If you share our vision and are ready to make a difference in the water industry, we want to hear from you.

Additional Information

Application Support

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Additional Information

“Want to find out more about the role or what working at AECOM is like?”

You can learn more about us here: Candidate Brochure

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously.

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.

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 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, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. 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.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [e-mail] if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

ReqID: J10146560

Business Line: Water

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Europe & India

Career Area: Science

Work Location Model: Hybrid