Principal Hydraulic Engineer

Stantec; Warrington, Leeds, Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus schemes

Enhanced pension

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Gym discount

Annual leave buy/sell

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Principal Hydraulic Engineer to join our growing national Hydraulic Engineering team in Warrington, Leeds or Cambridge. You will lead the technical delivery of hydraulic studies across water infrastructure projects, guiding feasibility, optioneering, detailed design and construction support.

You’ll mentor engineers, review models and calculations, and collaborate with Project Managers and clients to deliver innovative, resilient solutions while strengthening long‑term

Qualifications

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards professional registration.
• Significant experience delivering hydraulic engineering projects within the UK water sector.
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, hydraulic structures and transient analysis.
• Experience using hydraulic modelling software such as HADES, VARISM, Flow-3D or equivalent.
• Experience leading technical delivery across multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience mentoring and supporting developing engineers.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex hydraulic studies, including steady state and transient analysis.
• Provide technical guidance on hydraulic structures, pumping systems and conveyance assets.
• Review hydraulic models, calculations and technical reports to ensure engineering excellence.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, Project Managers and clients to develop innovative engineering solutions.
• Mentoring and supporting developing engineers across the Hydraulic Engineering team.
• Building strong relationships with clients while contributing to technical innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Hydraulic engineering

UK water sector experience

Fluid mechanics

Hydraulic modelling

Stakeholder management

Mentoring engineers

Project leadership

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Civil/Mechanical/Hydraulic Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Tools

HADES

VARISM

Flow-3D

Job description

The UK water sector is experiencing unprecedented investment, creating exciting opportunities to deliver innovative engineering solutions that improve resilience, protect the environment and support communities for generations to come. At Stantec, our national Hydraulic Engineering team is at the forefront of this transformation, providing specialist expertise across some of the UK's largest regulated water frameworks.

We're looking for a Principal Hydraulic Engineer to join our growing team in Warrington, Leeds or Cambridge. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of technically complex hydraulic engineering projects while working alongside recognised industry specialists within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment. You'll play a key role in delivering innovative solutions, strengthening client relationships and supporting the continued growth of our nationally recognised Hydraulic Engineering capability.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Principal Hydraulic Engineer, you'll lead the technical delivery of hydraulic engineering studies across a wide range of water infrastructure projects, supporting delivery from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design and construction support.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading complex hydraulic studies, including steady state and transient analysis.
• Providing technical guidance on hydraulic structures, pumping systems and conveyance assets.
• Reviewing hydraulic models, calculations and technical reports to ensure engineering excellence.
• Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, Project Managers and clients to develop innovative engineering solutions.
• Mentoring and supporting developing engineers across the Hydraulic Engineering team.
• Building strong relationships with clients while contributing to technical innovation and continuous improvement.

YOUR IMPACT

Your expertise will directly influence the resilience, efficiency and long-term performance of critical water infrastructure across the UK. Through high-quality hydraulic engineering, you'll help clients improve operational performance, reduce risk and deliver sustainable solutions that meet future environmental and regulatory challenges.

Beyond project delivery, you'll play an important role in developing technical capability across the business by mentoring colleagues, sharing specialist knowledge and driving engineering excellence. Your contribution will help strengthen Stantec's reputation as a trusted partner for complex hydraulic engineering solutions.

ABOUT YOU

Essential

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards professional registration.
• Significant experience delivering hydraulic engineering projects within the UK water sector.
• Strong understanding of fluid mechanics, hydraulic structures and transient analysis.
• Experience using hydraulic modelling software such as HADES, VARISM, Flow-3D or equivalent.
• Experience leading technical delivery across multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience mentoring and supporting developing engineers.

Desirable

• Experience supporting framework delivery and business development.
• Experience reviewing technical standards and engineering governance.
• Experience working collaboratively with contractors and delivery partners.
• Knowledge of digital engineering tools and modern methods of project delivery.

WHY JOIN US

We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.

We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.

We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.

We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).

Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!

Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.

Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

If you're looking to lead complex hydraulic engineering projects while helping shape the future of water infrastructure across the UK, we'd love to hear from you.