Water Engineer

Joining Arup

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

Our water team works across 90 countries, bringing together more than 50 technical and advisory disciplines to tackle some of the world’s most complex water challenges. From strategic drainage planning to sustainable flood resilience, we combine engineering, consultancy and research to create solutions that make a real difference to communities and the environment.

Across the UK, our multidisciplinary water teams work on a diverse range of projects spanning flood and coastal risk management, drainage, clean and wastewater infrastructure, and wider water challenges.

The Opportunity

The focus of Arup’s Water team in Sheffield is stormwater. We advise our clients on the risk of flooding at strategic (city or region-wide) or site scale. We model the movement of water and the risks associated with flooding, using integrated hydraulic models. We plan and design nature-based solutions to manage stormwater and provide wider benefits in the built and rural environment. This team has enjoyed strong organic growth, but demand for practical and rigorously proven solutions continues to rise.

We are seeking an experienced person with deep curiosity for the impact that water can have on people’s lives; someone who is driven to help us protect others. For this role, we would expect you to have experience of hydraulic modelling and/or the engineering skills required to develop design solutions. We predominantly use InfoWorks ICM, but we will consider applicants with backgrounds in other hydraulic modelling software such as InfoDrainage/Microdrainage.

You might also be digital-savvy and have an interest in using digital tools to solve complex problems or eliminate repetitive tasks. Part of your role will be supporting the development of junior modellers or engineers. Your educational background could be as an engineer, a scientist or in a related discipline. We appreciate the value of diversity of education and experience because it allows us to bring new perspectives and alternative solutions.

What you’ll do

Reporting to the Water Team Leader in Sheffield, you will be building or applying hydraulic models (including integrated models), using engineering judgment, and developing stormwater management design solutions for a range of clients such as the UK Environment Agency, water companies, local authorities, international clients and major infrastructure operators.

Working as part of a team spread across Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham you will provide hands-on input through technical analysis and design using industry-standard software. The ideal candidate will have experience in hydraulic modelling, flood risk management, and a basic understanding of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS).

Your responsibilities are likely to include

• Deliver 1D–2D hydraulic modelling projects, including model build, calibration and validation, in line with industry standards.
• Use hydraulic models to assess flood risk and water quality, including surface water and fluvial flooding, storm overflows, SuDS and natural flood management.
• Develop stormwater management solutions from feasibility through to detailed design.
• Use GIS and terrain data to analyse information and communicate risks and proposed solutions.
• Take ownership of technical project delivery, supporting programmes, budgets and quality assurance.
• Develop survey specifications and liaise with survey subcontractors.
• Mentor and support junior modellers and engineers across the team and wider modelling community.
• Prepare and review technical reports, models, calculations and deliverables, and contribute to bids and proposals.

What we’re looking for

As a Water Engineer/Hydraulic Modeller at Arup, you will build and simulate hydraulic models, extract results, and draw conclusions to inform design solutions. You’ll use GIS software to manipulate results, create informative images, and produce technical reports to convey complex concepts. Practical experience with hydraulic modelling software, ideally InfoWorks ICM or other Autodesk water products is essential. We also welcome candidates experienced in other urban drainage or river modelling tools such as MIKE, FloodModeller, Tuflow, or HEC-RAS.

You will contribute to UK and international projects at all stages, including strategic advice, catchment and city-level planning, concept and detailed solutions, and post-construction evaluation.

We are looking for these skills

• Experience delivering water projects in the UK, working with clients and regulators.
• A degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline.
• Working towards chartership, with a relevant professional body.
• Experience using GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS.
• Experience contributing to Flood Risk Assessments and/or Drainage Impact Assessments.
• Experience with 1D–2D integrated catchment models.
• Basic knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar 3D design software.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who is keen to learn, share ideas and contribute to a collaborative team. Your background could be broad or specialised — we value the different perspectives and experience that people bring to our projects.

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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 recognises 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.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at

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