Senior or Principal Hydraulic Modeller

Jacobs; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs in the Ireland/UK water team is seeking a Senior or Principal Hydraulic Modeller to advance flood risk and water resources projects. You will develop, calibrate and review 1D and 1D-2D models using Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, InfoWorks ICM, or HEC-RAS, applying hydrological analysis and delivering robust technical outputs.

Joining a multidisciplinary team, you’ll mentor junior colleagues, support technical assurance, and help shape major frameworks across Ireland and the UK while pursuing

Qualifications

• Degree, Master’s or equivalent in Civil Engineering or related field.
• Experience developing 1D and 2D hydraulic models for flood risk.
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic modelling software (Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, InfoWorks ICM, HEC-RAS).
• Experience in hydrological assessments and calculations.
• Ability to review and assure technical modelling outputs.
• Collaborative approach and willingness to mentor others.
• Chartered status with ICE or CIWEM or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop, calibrate and review 1D and 1D-2D hydraulic models.
• Apply hydrological and hydraulic analysis to solve complex water management challenges.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Support technical assurance, peer review and quality management.
• Analyse data using GIS and analytical tools.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior staff.
• Contribute to project delivery from feasibility to detailed design.
• Champion innovation and sustainable approaches in delivery.

Skills

Hydraulic modelling

GIS analysis

Collaborative/teamwork

Mentoring juniors

Education

Bachelor/Master in Civil Engineering or related

Tools

Flood Modeller

TUFLOW

InfoWorks ICM

HEC-RAS

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 Resilience - Dublin, Cork, Belfast

Flood risk, water security, environmental protection and climate resilience are some of the biggest infrastructure challenges facing Ireland and the UK. As a Senior or Principal Hydraulic Modeller at Jacobs, you'll play a key role in delivering the innovative solutions that help communities thrive, protect critical infrastructure and support sustainable growth for generations to come.

Join a team that's helping shape major investment programmes across Ireland's water and environmental sectors while working on projects that make a lasting difference to people and the planet.

What's In It For You

This is an opportunity to advance your technical career while working on some of the most significant water and environmental programmes in Ireland and the UK.

You'll benefit from:

• The opportunity to work on landmark flood risk, drainage, reservoir and water resources projects
• Exposure to high-profile national frameworks and long-term strategic programmes
• Clear pathways for technical and professional career progression
• The chance to collaborate with industry-leading specialists across multiple disciplines
• Opportunities to mentor and develop others while expanding your own leadership skills
• A flexible and supportive environment that enables you to do your best work
• Access to innovative tools, technologies and complex technical challenges that will accelerate your professional growth

Your Impact

As a Senior or Principal Hydraulic Modeller, you'll help deliver solutions that protect communities, improve water resilience and support sustainable infrastructure investment.

Your work will:

• Reduce flood risk and improve climate resilience for communities across Ireland and the UK
• Support the planning and delivery of critical water and environmental infrastructure
• Drive technical excellence across major multidisciplinary projects
• Influence sustainable approaches to water management and environmental protection
• Help develop the next generation of hydraulic modelling professionals through mentoring and technical leadership
• Every project you contribute to will create tangible benefits for clients, communities and the environment.

About the Opportunity

Our Water Catchment Management team is growing rapidly, creating exciting opportunities for experienced hydraulic modellers to join us at either Senior or Principal level.

You'll become part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team delivering a diverse portfolio of projects spanning flood risk management, drainage, water resources planning, reservoir design and environmental protection. Working closely with specialists across Jacobs, you'll support major frameworks and programmes for leading public and private sector clients throughout Ireland.

In this role, you'll:

• Develop, calibrate and review 1D and 1D-2D hydraulic models using industry-leading software
• Apply hydrological and hydraulic analysis to solve complex water management challenges
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-quality outcomes for clients
• Support technical assurance, peer review and quality management activities
• Analyse and interpret data using GIS platforms and analytical tools
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior team members
• Contribute to project delivery from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design and construction
• Champion innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement across project delivery

Whether you're looking to deepen your technical expertise or take the next step into technical leadership, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while developing your career.

Here's what you'll need

• Degree, Master's degree or equivalent qualification in Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, Geography, Mathematics or a related discipline
• Experience developing and applying 1D and 2D hydraulic models for river, urban or coastal flood risk projects
• Strong knowledge of hydraulic modelling software such as Flood Modeller, TUFLOW, InfoWorks ICM or HEC-RAS
• Experience undertaking hydrological assessments and calculations
• Ability to review and assure technical modelling outputs
• A collaborative approach and passion for sharing knowledge and supporting team development
• Working towards, or already holding, Chartered status with ICE, CIWEM or an equivalent professional institution

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 traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs .

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here .

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .