Principal Engineering Hydrogeologist

Jacobs; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working

24 days annual leave

Enhanced pension contributions

Private medical cover

Life assurance

Income protection

Wellbeing support

Professional development

Volunteer time & charity funding

Diverse networks commitment

Job summary

Jacobs in the United Kingdom is seeking a Principal or Associate Director level Hydrogeologist to join our national Hydrogeology team and lead technical delivery across a diverse portfolio of groundwater projects.

You'll provide senior hydrogeological expertise—from groundwater assessments to major engineering studies—while mentoring colleagues and engaging with clients across the UK, with flexible hybrid working and collaborative cross-disciplinary work.

Qualifications

• Significant professional experience in hydrogeology.
• Groundwater conceptualisation, assessment, and interpretation.
• Experience designing and delivering hydrogeological investigations.
• Numerical/analytical groundwater modelling experience.
• Ability to lead technical delivery within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring and developing junior professionals.
• Strong communication and client-facing skills.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake occasional site visits.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical delivery across groundwater projects.
• Provide senior hydrogeological expertise across studies and programmes.
• Mentor junior professionals.
• Engage with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Support projects in the UK and Europe.

Skills

Hydrogeology

Groundwater modelling

Project leadership

Mentoring

Client engagement

Driving licence

Tools

MODFLOW

FEFLOW

MIKE SHE

SEEP/W

PLAXIS

Python

GIS

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

• Shape the future of water, infrastructure, and environmental resilience across the UK and beyond.
• As a Principal or Associate Director level Hydrogeologist, you'll help solve some of the UK's most complex groundwater and environmental challenges, influencing projects that directly impact water resources, major infrastructure, sustainability, and future energy solutions.
• From supporting sustainable abstraction programmes for water companies to advising on nationally significant infrastructure and pioneering geological disposal projects, your expertise will help shape critical decisions that affect communities, the environment, and future generations.
• You'll also play a key role in developing the next generation of hydrogeologists, strengthening a growing capability and helping build long-term technical excellence across the business.

What's In It For You

• Work on projects that genuinely matter You'll contribute to nationally important programmes across water resources, transportation, environmental management, major infrastructure, renewables, and emerging nuclear projects.
• Variety you won't find everywhere Rather than being confined to a single framework or specialist niche, you'll have the opportunity to work across the full spectrum of hydrogeology, from groundwater modelling and water resources to engineering and environmental applications.
• Flexibility built around you Our hydrogeology team operates as a national, highly connected virtual team. We're open to talent across the UK and are focused on finding the right person, not forcing you into a specific location.
• Accelerate your career Whether you're an established Principal looking for broader project exposure or an experienced professional ready to step towards Associate Director level, you'll have access to meaningful progression opportunities, technical leadership responsibilities, and the chance to help shape future team growth.
• Collaborate with exceptional people Join a respected team of hydrogeologists, engineers, environmental specialists, modellers, and infrastructure experts who value collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence.

We Offer

• Compensation That Reflects Your Skills And Experience
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• 24 days annual leave plus the option to buy up to 10 additional days
• Enhanced pension contributions of up to 10%
• Private medical cover and Digital GP access
• Family planning and fertility support services
• Enhanced parental leave and family support programmes
• Employee Networks We have a commitment to hiring a diverse workforce and supporting colleagues of different backgrounds
• Life assurance at four times your salary
• Income protection for long-term financial security
• Access to wellbeing support, including Calm and Daily Burn
• Professional memberships funded and ongoing development opportunities
• Paid volunteering time, matched charity funding, and community engagement programmes

About The Opportunity

• We're looking for an experienced Principal or Associate Director level Hydrogeologist to join our national Hydrogeology team and lead technical delivery across a diverse portfolio of projects.
• You'll provide senior hydrogeological expertise across groundwater assessments, water resources programmes, environmental studies, ground investigations, and major engineering projects. The role combines technical leadership, project delivery, client engagement, and mentoring, making it ideal for someone who enjoys both solving complex technical challenges and helping others succeed.
• You'll work closely with multidisciplinary teams across the UK and increasingly support projects within Europe, bringing hydrogeological insight to some of the industry's most exciting and technically demanding programmes.

This is a role for someone who wants influence, variety, and the opportunity to make a visible impact.

Here's what you'll need

Essential

• Significant professional experience in hydrogeology (typically already at Principal Consultant level)
• Strong grounding in groundwater conceptualisation, assessment, and interpretation
• Experience designing and delivering hydrogeological investigations
• Numerical and/or analytical groundwater modelling experience
• Ability to lead technical project delivery within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience mentoring and developing junior professionals
• Strong communication and client-facing skills
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to undertake occasional site visits

Ideally, you'll also bring experience of

• Water resources and sustainable abstraction programmes
• Groundwater modelling software such as MODFLOW, FEFLOW, MIKE SHE, SEEP/W or PLAXIS
• Python, GIS, or other data analysis and modelling tools
• Infrastructure, environmental, water utility, or engineering consultancy projects

The Opportunity You've Been Waiting For

You'll work on some of the UK's most complex groundwater and infrastructure projects, enjoy genuine flexibility, and help shape the future direction of a growing hydrogeology capability.

If you're ready for a role that offers more scope, more variety, and more impact, now is the time to start the conversation.

Jacobs offers hybrid working and a standard 40-hour working week

Good luck with your application

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