Principal Engineer- Flood Risk & Hydraulic Modelling

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.

The Opportunity

The focus of Arup’s Water team in Sheffield is stormwater and wastewater modelling. 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 and lead design solutions.

You will be part of a senior leadership team that will develop and deliver innovative solutions to solve complex problems for our clients and their customers. Our framework wins for AMP8 position us to work across the entire design process including strategic planning, feasibility, detailed design and design and build support. You will deliver a wide variety of projects, and see your solutions developed from start to finish. We live our Strategy every day “sustainability is everything” and we actively promote, prioritise and deliver nature-based 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 and Manchester 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 an understanding of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS).

You will have the opportunity to lead and deliver hydraulic modelling projects across the entire design process. You will have good understanding of 1D and 2D hydraulic models for risk analysis and the development of solutions to improve water quality and reduce flood risk, with particular focus on storm overflows and wastewater treatment.

You will be part of our Modelling team delivering holistic catchment solutions with a strong focus on nature-based solutions and integrated urban drainage modelling. This will include leading others to develop technical reports, undertake hydraulic model analysis, produce business cases, investigate multi-capitals economics and support the checking calculations, and other key modelling project deliverables.

What we’re looking for

In this role, 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.

We are looking for qualifications, skills and knowledge in the following:

• Proven track record of successfully delivering water projects in the UK, including collaboration with both public and private sector clients and regulatory bodies to deliver flood risk and urban drainage projects.
• Practical experience in hydraulic modelling techniques within the UK water industry, specifically using InfoWorks ICM, ideally including Level 1 UPM water quality modelling or integrated urban drainage modelling including fluvial studies.
• Degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline, with progress toward chartership with an appropriate professional body
• Strong project management skills, including managing scope, programme, budget, resources, risk and change.
• Experience leading project teams, coordinating technical specialists and producing client deliverables such as reports, scopes and business cases.
• Strong client and stakeholder management, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent commercial awareness, with experience monitoring project performance, forecasting and profitability.
• Strong organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills, with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior team members, with a collaborative and professional approach.

Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

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

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact ***email_hidden*** to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies - We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.