Water Engineer
Joining Arup
Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.
Our water team work in 90 countries, collaborating across over 50 related technical and advisory disciplines. This is how we’re able to respond to such a wide range of water projects and programmes, from the Shanghai drainage masterplan to the expertise and detailed design on Mansfield Sustainable Flood Resilience. We use consultancy, engineering, and research to bring the most insightful approaches to water projects wherever they are in the world.
Arup helps the world manage its water, from the supply of clean drinking water to understanding flood risks, from drainage to sanitation. Across the UK, we have a team of multi-disciplinary water engineers working closely collectively on a wide variety of flood and coastal risk management, waste and clean water infrastructure and non-infrastructure asset.
Watch this short clip to discover how Arup are shaping a better world and how you could be a part of it!
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 particular 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 contribute to developing stormwater management solutions. Your role 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. Expect to work on diverse challenges from flood risk management to sustainable drainage solutions.
Working as part of a team, 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 hydraulic modelling projects, including 1D-2D model build, calibration or validation, ensuring compliance with industry standards and specifications.
· Use 1D-2D hydraulic models for risk analysis and develop solutions for water quality and flood risk benefits, including surface water and fluvial flood mapping or reducing storm overflows through sustainable drainage and natural flood management.
· Contribute to developing stormwater management solutions through design development at different stages from feasibility to detailed design.
· Using GIS software and tools to analyse existing information such as digital terrains, and communicate future ideas or issues.
· Take ownership of project delivery and support the Project Manager with setting and managing programmes, budgets, and leading quality assurance procedures in your area of expertise.
· Develop catchment survey specifications and liaise with survey sub-contractors.
· Mentor and support junior modellers and engineers within your team, the wider modelling centre of excellence, and through our global training programme.
· Contribute to managing client relationships and expectations; present results, challenges, and proposals in a collaborative environment.
· Develop and review technical reports, models, supporting calculations, and deliverables; assist with bid preparation 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.
Requirements:
· Good experience of delivering water projects in the UK, including collaboration with private/public sector clients and regulators.
· Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline;
· Chartered or close to chartership with an appropriate professional body.
· Competent in GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS to incorporate complex 3D surfaces into hydraulic models and present results.
· Experience producing or contributing to Flood Risk Assessments and Drainage Impact Assessments.
· Experience working with 1D-2D integrated catchment models, with an appreciation of their opportunities and limitations.
· Basic working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D or other 3D design packages and how these integrate with hydraulic models.
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 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 www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup
We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Ali.wallace@arup.com 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 https://www.arup.com/careers/arup-careers-uk-application-process
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Closing date - 28/01/26