Principal Urban Drainage Modeller

Stantec; Exeter; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid / Flexible working

Professional subscriptions support

Competitive salary

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Principal Urban Drainage Modeller to lead technical delivery across urban drainage and wastewater projects in the UK. You’ll supervise modelling studies, calibrate hydraulic models and guide project teams, with a focus on resilience and client value.

You’ll work across Warrington, Manchester, Redditch, Birmingham, Derby, Cardiff, Bristol or Exeter, mentoring junior staff and contributing to bids and digital innovation while developing leadership within our growing Urban

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng/IEng) or working towards.
• Extensive experience delivering urban drainage, wastewater or hydraulic modelling.
• Strong knowledge of InfoWorks ICM and hydraulic modelling of wastewater networks.
• Proven leadership and ability to review work and deliver projects.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring modellers and developing technical capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of urban drainage and wastewater modelling studies across UK water programmes.
• Develop, verify, calibrate and analyse hydraulic models using InfoWorks ICM and GIS tools.
• Lead modelling assessments covering wastewater networks, storm overflows, flooding, water quality, pollution management and network resilience.
• Review modelling approaches, outputs and key technical deliverables, providing technical assurance and guidance.
• Interpret complex modelling results and provide clear, practical recommendations to support client investment and operational decisions.
• Work closely with project managers, engineers, environmental specialists, digital teams and clients to develop effective and sustainable solutions.
• Support project planning, programming and delivery, including managing technical tasks, resources and deadlines.
• Mentor and support less experienced modellers, helping to develop technical capability and share best practice.
• Contribute to bids, frameworks, technical innovation and improvements to modelling processes and approaches.

Skills

InfoWorks ICM

Hydraulic modelling

Project leadership

Technical direction

Client relationship

Mentoring

Education

Degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering

CEng/IEng or working towards

Tools

InfoWorks ICM

Job description

The Opportunity

Urban drainage modelling is playing an increasingly important role in how the UK water sector responds to flooding, environmental pressures and the need for more resilient wastewater networks. At Stantec, we’re bringing together technical expertise, digital innovation and industry knowledge to help our clients understand complex network challenges and deliver solutions that stand up to the demands of the future.

The Opportunity

Urban drainage modelling is playing an increasingly important role in how the UK water sector responds to flooding, environmental pressures and the need for more resilient wastewater networks. At Stantec, we’re bringing together technical expertise, digital innovation and industry knowledge to help our clients understand complex network challenges and deliver solutions that stand up to the demands of the future.

We’re looking for a Principal Urban Drainage Modeller to join our growing teams in Warrington, Manchester, Redditch, Birmingham, Derby, Cardiff, Bristol or Exeter. This is an opportunity to take a leading technical role within our Urban Drainage Modelling community, working alongside specialists across the UK and internationally. You’ll have the opportunity to lead technically challenging work, influence project outcomes, develop strong client relationships and support the people around you. With a diverse portfolio of water programmes, you’ll be able to broaden your experience while making a meaningful contribution to the future of wastewater and urban drainage.

About The Role

As a Principal Urban Drainage Modeller, you’ll take a leading technical role across a range of urban drainage and wastewater projects. You’ll combine strong modelling expertise with project leadership, providing technical direction to teams, supporting clients and helping deliver high-quality solutions.

You Will

• Lead the technical delivery of urban drainage and wastewater modelling studies across a range of UK water programmes.
• Develop, verify, calibrate and analyse hydraulic models using InfoWorks ICM and associated GIS tools.
• Lead modelling assessments covering wastewater networks, storm overflows, flooding, water quality, pollution management and network resilience.
• Review modelling approaches, outputs and key technical deliverables, providing technical assurance and guidance.
• Interpret complex modelling results and provide clear, practical recommendations to support client investment and operational decisions.
• Work closely with project managers, engineers, environmental specialists, digital teams and clients to develop effective and sustainable solutions.
• Support project planning, programming and delivery, including managing technical tasks, resources and deadlines.
• Mentor and support less experienced modellers, helping to develop technical capability and share best practice.
• Contribute to bids, frameworks, technical innovation and improvements to modelling processes and approaches.

YOUR IMPACT

Your technical leadership will help water companies better understand their wastewater networks and make informed decisions around investment, performance and long-term resilience. The projects you lead will contribute to addressing challenges such as flooding, storm overflow impacts, water quality and pollution, helping deliver better outcomes for communities and the environment. You’ll also play an important role in strengthening our Urban Drainage Modelling capability by supporting colleagues, developing client relationships and contributing to innovative digital approaches. With exposure to a broad range of projects and clients, you’ll have the opportunity to expand your influence and continue developing towards future senior leadership opportunities.

ABOUT YOU Essential

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (CEng/IEng) or actively working towards
• Significant experience delivering urban drainage, wastewater or hydraulic modelling projects.
• Strong knowledge of InfoWorks ICM and expert technical understanding of hydraulic modelling and wastewater networks.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership, reviewing work and supporting high-quality project delivery.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex modelling outputs and develop technical recommendations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience working with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience mentoring and developing less experienced modellers and contributing to the wider technical capability of a team.

Desirable

• Membership of a relevant professional institution such as ICE or CIWEM.
• Experience working with UK regulated water companies and across AMP programmes.
• Experience across storm overflows, water quality, flood risk, pollution management and wastewater network modelling.
• Experience contributing to digital innovation, automation, data analytics or innovative modelling solutions.
• Experience supporting bids, frameworks or business development activities.
• Experience contributing to technical standards, best practice or continuous improvement initiatives.

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.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities. Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities. Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. At Stantec we want you to perform best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.