Drainage Engineering - Ireland

Jacobs; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangements

Pension scheme with company contribute

Life assurance and income protection

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Drainage Engineer to lead drainage schemes for highways, rail and urban developments across Ireland. You will manage design delivery, model hydraulic systems and mentor junior engineers, shaping resilient infrastructure for Ireland.

The role offers hybrid working, opportunities to work on major transport projects, and a path toward chartership within a collaborative, globally connected firm.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng MIEI, ICE or equivalent) or working towards chartership.
• Significant experience delivering drainage infrastructure projects within transportation, highways or civil infrastructure sectors.
• Strong knowledge of drainage design standards, SuDS principles and flood risk management.
• Experience developing and reviewing designs across multiple project stages.
• Experience managing technical deliverables and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentor others.

Responsibilities

• Leading the development and delivery of highway, rail, urban and development drainage schemes.
• Undertaking drainage assessments, feasibility studies and optioneering exercises.
• Delivering detailed drainage designs in accordance with Irish, UK and international standards.
• Producing and reviewing hydraulic modelling, calculations and design reports.
• Designing sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and nature-based solutions.
• Supporting flood risk assessments and surface water management strategies.
• Providing technical oversight and quality assurance for project deliverables.
• Working collaboratively with environmental, highways, structures and water specialists.
• Building strong client relationships and supporting project delivery from concept through construction.
• Mentoring graduate and junior engineers, contributing to the continued growth of the team.

Skills

Drainage design

Hydraulic modelling

Client engagement

Mentoring juniors

Team leadership

Standards knowledge

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer status

Tools

InfoDrainage

MicroDrainage

Causeway Flow

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

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow.

Due to our continued success and sustained growth across Ireland, we are looking for a Senior Drainage Engineer to join our expanding Water and Transportation team. This is an opportunity to apply your technical expertise to projects that genuinely matter, helping to shape resilient infrastructure, protect communities and support Ireland's future development.

As a Senior Drainage Engineer, you'll be trusted to bring sound engineering judgment, challenge assumptions, identify opportunities for innovation and mentor the next generation of engineers. From major transportation schemes and urban regeneration projects to flood alleviation and sustainable drainage solutions, your work will have a visible and lasting impact across Ireland.

About The Opportunity

As part of our growing Civil Infrastructure team, you'll lead and contribute to a diverse portfolio of drainage and water management projects throughout Ireland.

Your responsibilities will include

• Leading the development and delivery of highway, rail, urban and development drainage schemes.
• Undertaking drainage assessments, feasibility studies and optioneering exercises.
• Delivering detailed drainage designs in accordance with Irish, UK and international standards.
• Producing and reviewing hydraulic modelling, calculations and design reports.
• Designing sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) and nature-based solutions.
• Supporting flood risk assessments and surface water management strategies.
• Providing technical oversight and quality assurance for project deliverables.
• Working collaboratively with environmental, highways, structures and water specialists.
• Building strong client relationships and supporting project delivery from concept through construction.
• Mentoring graduate and junior engineers, contributing to the continued growth of the team.

About Our Team

Jacobs delivers some of Ireland's most significant infrastructure projects, helping clients solve complex challenges while creating a more sustainable future.

Our drainage and water management specialists work across transportation, urban development, climate resilience and environmental improvement schemes. We support projects through all phases of delivery, from feasibility and planning through detailed design, construction support and asset optimisation.

We combine technical excellence, digital innovation and practical engineering expertise to develop solutions that improve resilience, enhance environmental outcomes and deliver long‑term value for communities.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Degree-qualified in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng MIEI, ICE or equivalent) or working towards chartership.
• Significant experience delivering drainage infrastructure projects within transportation, highways or civil infrastructure sectors.
• Strong knowledge of drainage design standards, SuDS principles and flood risk management.
• Experience developing and reviewing designs across multiple project stages.
• Proficiency in drainage modelling software such as InfoDrainage, MicroDrainage, Causeway Flow or similar.
• Experience managing technical deliverables and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentor others.

Even Better If You Have

• Experience working on TII, local authority or National Highways projects.
• Knowledge of Irish planning and environmental consenting processes.
• Experience incorporating nature-based and sustainable drainage solutions into infrastructure projects.
• Project management or design management experience.

Why Jacobs?

At Jacobs, you'll join a collaborative team where your expertise is valued, your career development is supported and your work contributes to creating a more connected and sustainable Ireland.

We offer

• Competitive salary and annual performance bonus
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• 23 days annual leave plus public holidays, with the option to purchase additional leave
• Pension scheme with company contribution
• Life assurance and income protection cover
• Professional membership fees paid
• Structured career development and chartership support
• Access to industry‑leading training and global career opportunities
• Employee Assistance Programme and mental wellbeing resources
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Tax Saver commuter travel scheme
• Family‑friendly policies, including enhanced parental leave provisions
• Inclusive and diverse working environment where everyone can thrive

#DrainageIreland

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 ourJacobs 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.