Principal Hydrologist

AECOM; Chesterfield; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Career development opportunities

Volunteering days

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Principal Hydrologist to lead hydrological assessments and modelling for UK and international projects. Based in the UK or Ireland with a flexible hybrid work model, you will guide flood risk appraisals, infrastructure design and catchment strategies while overseeing project delivery.

You will manage technical direction, liaise with clients and stakeholders, and mentor junior staff in a dynamic water team known for impact and innovation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Hydrology or related field.
• Experience delivering hydrological assessments in consultancy or regulatory settings.
• Strong knowledge of UK hydrological guidance (FEH, FEH methods, EA guidance).
• Experience with hydrological modelling tools and data analysis software.
• Proven ability to lead projects and provide technical oversight.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership.
• Excellent communication with clients and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrological assessments to support flood risk appraisals, infrastructure design, catchment strategies and EIAs.
• Provide technical direction on rainfall-runoff modelling, river flow estimation, climate change allowances and catchment analysis.
• Oversee and review modelling outputs for quality and regulatory compliance.
• Act as technical lead on frameworks and multidisciplinary projects across sectors.
• Advise clients on flood risk policy, drainage strategy and licensing requirements.
• Mentor junior hydrologists and promote knowledge sharing.
• Support business development including bid preparation and client relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Hydrological assessments

Client engagement

Rainfall-runoff modelling

Regulatory guidance knowledge

Education

Degree (BSc/BEng/MSc) in Hydrology/Civil Engineering/Environmental Science/Geography

Chartered status (CEng/CSci/CEnv) or working towards chartership

Tools

Hydrological modelling software

Data analysis software

Job description

Company Description

"Lead hydrology projects that protect communities and shape the future of water!"

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 bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of nearly 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 hydrologists and shape the future of the Water Industry?"

Join our dynamic and multidisciplinary Water Team as a Principal Hydrologist. You can be based in one of our UK or Ireland offices whilst also taking advantage of our flexible hybrid working model.

You will be a key player in delivering impactful water projects across the UK and internationally. You will lead hydrological assessments that inform flood risk management, major infrastructure planning, water resources strategy, and environmental permitting.

This is a senior role combining technical excellence, client engagement, project oversight and team leadership within a growing water team.

Here’s what you’ll do:

• Lead hydrological assessments to support flood risk appraisals, infrastructure design, catchment strategies and environmental impact assessments.
• Provide technical direction on rainfall‑runoff modelling, river flow estimation, climate change allowances and catchment analysis.
• Oversee and review hydrological modelling outputs, ensuring quality, accuracy and compliance with UK regulatory guidance.
• Act as technical lead on major frameworks and multidisciplinary projects across transport, energy, water and development sectors.
• Advise clients on flood risk policy, drainage strategy, abstraction licensing and environmental permitting requirements.
• Mentor and develop junior hydrologists, fostering technical excellence and knowledge sharing.
• Support business development activities, including bid preparation and client relationship management.

If you’re passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality AECOM welcomes you. Join our team, where we don’t just construct infrastructure but also uplift communities and enhance lives. 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 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.

At AECOM, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward‑thinking environment where your contributions are valued. 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:

• Degree (BSc/BEng/MSc) in Hydrology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Geography or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience delivering hydrological assessments within consultancy or regulatory environments.
• Strong knowledge of UK hydrological guidance (e.g., FEH methods, Flood Estimation Handbook, EA guidance).
• Experience with hydrological modelling tools and data analysis software.
• Proven ability to lead projects and provide technical oversight.
• Chartered status (CEng, CSci or CEnv) or working towards chartership.
• Excellent communication skills with experience engaging clients and stakeholders.

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 nuclear 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

• AECOMUKHYDROLOGIST

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 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.