Senior Water Engineer

Arup; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Sharing

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Accident insurance

Income protection cover

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Arup is seeking a Drainage and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) engineer to join our growing water team in Birmingham, Nottingham or Cardiff. You will help shape resilient, low‑carbon places through integrated water management across the full project lifecycle, from strategy and flood risk assessment to detailed design and construction support.

Join a multidisciplinary team where you can deepen technical expertise, take ownership of projects and client relationships, and contribute to

Qualifications

• A relevant degree or equivalent practical experience in drainage, SuDS or surface water management.
• Experience developing drainage or SuDS solutions for development, infrastructure or the built environment.
• Working knowledge of UK drainage standards, guidance and legislation.
• Experience contributing to drainage strategies, hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessments or design development.
• Progress towards Incorporated or Chartered status, or interest in pursuing professional accreditation.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborative approach with sound judgement and focus on high-quality, sustainable outcomes.
• Experience with InfoDrainage, Civil 3D or similar design/modelling software.
• Familiarity with BIM, digital engineering or data-led design.
• Experience coordinating work packages and supporting budgets/programmes.
• Involvement in bids, fee proposals, client relationships or business development.
• Experience in aviation, highways, rail, development or critical infrastructure.

Responsibilities

• Work across the full project lifecycle from strategy, flood risk assessment and masterplanning through to detailed design and construction support.
• Contribute to drainage strategies, hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessments and design development.
• Support bids, client relationships and budgets within multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

Drainage design

SuDS

Hydraulic modelling

Communication

Team collaboration

BIM

InfoDrainage

Civil 3D

Project budgeting

Client management

Education

Bachelor's degree in drainage/SuDS

Tools

InfoDrainage

Civil 3D

BIM/digital engineering

Data-led design

Job description

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup has a long track record in the UK water industry working with all the major water companies and the Environment Agency.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Drainage and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) engineer to join our growing water team in Birmingham, Nottingham or Cardiff . This is an opportunity to help shape resilient, low‑carbon places through practical, integrated water management solutions that deliver benefits for communities, nature and the environment.

You will work across the full project lifecycle, from early strategy, flood risk assessment and masterplanning through to detailed design and construction support. Our varied portfolio includes innovative SuDS and drainage programmes including sustainable flood resilience work, as well as major airport and infrastructure projects across the UK and internationally.

You will join a supportive, multidisciplinary team where you can deepen your technical expertise, take increasing ownership of projects and client relationships, and contribute to research, digital innovation and the development of others. We value different perspectives and career paths.

You do not need to have worked in every sector or to bring every desirable skill from day one. We are interested in your core drainage or SuDS experience, your approach to solving problems and collaborating with others, and your motivation to keep learning.

Is this role right for you?

We are seeking the below essential skills and knowledge:

• A relevant degree or equivalent practical experience, with experience in drainage, SuDS or surface water management.
• Experience developing drainage or SuDS solutions for development, infrastructure or the built environment.
• A working knowledge of relevant UK drainage and SuDS standards, guidance and legislation.
• Experience contributing to drainage strategies, hydraulic modelling, flood risk assessments, drainage impact assessments or design development.
• Progress towards Incorporated or Chartered professional status, or an interest in working towards professional accreditation.
• The ability to communicate technical information clearly and work effectively with clients and multidisciplinary teams.
• A collaborative approach, sound judgement and a commitment to high‑quality, sustainable outcomes.
• Experience with InfoDrainage, Civil 3D or similar design and modelling software.
• Familiarity with BIM, digital engineering or data‑led design.
• Experience coordinating work packages and supporting project budgets and programmes.
• Involvement in bids, fee proposals, client relationships or business development.
• Experience in aviation, highways, rail, development or critical infrastructure.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.
We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy.

Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.