Senior Python Engineer

Queen Square Recruitment; Coventry; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen Square Recruitment is seeking a Senior Python Engineer to develop digital twin capabilities for wastewater treatment sites. You will build first-principles models and scalable Python solutions, integrating sensor data and process knowledge to enable forecasting and optimisation.

The role combines engineering, data science and software development, requiring strong Python expertise, numeracy and experience with mechanistic modelling and real-time systems. ASAP start for a 6‑month contract.

Qualifications

• Strong Python engineering experience, 5+ years.
• Mechanistic, physics-based or first-principles modelling.
• Understanding of differential equations and numerical methods.
• Experience in wastewater/utilities or related infrastructure sectors.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop physics and chemistry-based models of wastewater treatment processes.
• Translate mass balances, reaction kinetics and process design equations into robust models.
• Create modular, well-tested Python applications for simulation and optimisation.
• Integrate mechanistic models into real-time digital twin environments.
• Combine sensor data with simulation models for forecasting and optimisation.
• Calibrate and validate models using operational data.
• Collaborate with process engineers, data scientists and stakeholders.
• Explain modelling outcomes to technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills

Python

Mechanistic modelling

First-principles modelling

NumPy

SciPy

Pandas

Pyomo

CasADi

Matplotlib

Plotly

Industrial IoT

ASM models

STOAT

SCADA

10+ years Python engineering

Azure

AWS

Tools

Git

Job description

Senior Python Engineer - Digital Twin & Mechanistic Modelling

Contract: 6 Months

Start Date: ASAP

We're looking for a Senior Python Engineer with expertise in mechanistic modelling, first-principles simulation, and digital twin development to support the creation of advanced digital twin capabilities for wastewater treatment sites.

This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of engineering, data science, and software development, building high-fidelity models that enable process optimisation, forecasting, and operational decision‑making across sewage treatment operations.

The Role

You will design and develop physics and chemistry‑based models of wastewater treatment processes, translating engineering principles into scalable, production‑ready Python solutions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing first‑principles models for wastewater treatment processes, including activated sludge systems, sedimentation, hydraulics, biological reactions, and process control systems.
• Translating mass balances, reaction kinetics and process design equations into robust computational models.
• Building clean, modular and well‑tested python applications for simulation and optimisation.
• Integrating mechanistic models into real‑time digital twin environments.
• Combining sensor and operational data, including flow rates, dissolved oxygen and ammonia measurements, with simulation models.
• Delivering capabilities such as predictive forecasting, scenario analysis and process optimisation.
• Calibrating and validating models using operational data, including parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis.
• Working with SCADA systems, historians and data pipelines to support model integration.
• Collaborating closely with process engineers, data scientists and operational stakeholders to deliver practical, business‑focused solutions.
• Explaining complex modelling outcomes to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

Required Experience

• Strong Python engineering experience, 5+ years.
• Proven expertise in mechanistic, physics‑based or first‑principles modelling.
• Strong understanding of differential equations and numerical methods; mass and energy balances; reaction kinetics.
• Experience within at least one of the following: wastewater or sewage treatment; environmental engineering; chemical or bioprocess engineering; process systems engineering.
• Experience with scientific computing tools such as NumPy, SciPy and pandas.
• Hands‑on use of optimisation and modelling libraries including Pyomo, CasADi or similar.
• Experience with Git and software engineering best practices, including testing and documentation.
• 10+ years' experience in Python engineering, mechanistic modelling or digital twin development.
• Experience developing reusable Python modules and libraries.
• Background in utilities, water, energy, manufacturing or infrastructure sectors.
• Knowledge of wastewater modelling frameworks such as ASM models or STOAT.
• Experience with digital twin architectures and hybrid modelling approaches that combine machine learning with mechanistic models.
• Exposure to cloud platforms such as Azure or AWS.
• Experience working with industrial IoT or real‑time systems.
• Familiarity with visualisation tools including Matplotlib and Plotly.

About You

You are a strong problem‑solver who can translate complex real‑world processes into mathematical and computational models. Comfortable working across engineering, software and data disciplines, you take pride in developing accurate, reliable solutions that deliver measurable operational value.