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Principal Hydrologist – Water Team
About the Role
Work with us. Change the world.
At AECOM, we’re delivering a better world by improving infrastructure, ensuring access to clean water, and transforming communities. Whether through flood risk management, water resources strategy, or environmental permitting, our Water Team needs bold thinkers to make an impact.
Join our dynamic and multidisciplinary Water Team as a Principal Hydrologist and be based in one of our UK or Ireland offices, benefiting from our flexible hybrid working model.
You will:
- Lead hydrological assessments informing UK and international projects
- Deliver technically excellent, client-facing work across flood risk, infrastructure, and catchment strategies
- Mentor and develop junior professionals
- Support business growth through bid preparation and relationship management
Capture the opportunity to join a global team of over 50,000 professionals who are shaping a sustainable future.
Key Responsibilities
As a Principal Hydrologist, your role will include:
-
Technical leadership: Lead hydrological assessments for:
- Flood risk appraisals and drainage strategies
- Infrastructure planning (transport, energy, water)
- Environmental impact assessments
-
Modeling & guidance:
- Rainfall-runoff modeling and river flow estimation
- Climate change assessments for resilience planning
- Review hydrological outputs against UK regulatory standards
-
Engagement & delivery:
- Provide technical consulting on flood risk policy and abstraction licensing
- Advise clients on environmental permitting and stakeholder liaison
- Mentor junior hydrologists fostering technical growth
-
Commercial contribution:
- Collaborate on frameworks and bid strategies to capture new business opportunities
- Represent AECOM professionally in client engagements
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Requirements
To excel in this role, you will demonstrate:
Education & Experience
✔ Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (BSc/BEng/MSc) in:
- Hydrology
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental Science
- Geography
- or a relevant discipline
✔ Extensive industry experience in consultancy or regulatory environments
- Specialized knowledge of UK hydrological guidance:
- Flood Estimation Handbook (FEH)
- River Environment Classification
- Environmental Agency (EA) methods
- Proficiency with hydrological modeling tools (e.g., InfoWorks RS, MIKE, HECRAS)
- Track record in data analysis and reporting
Professional Standing
✔ Chartered status (CEng, CSci, or CEnv or actively working toward chartership) ✔ Licensed (e.g., Environmental Mid†rs Licence/Environment Agency Approved) preferable
Skills & Attributes
✔ Client-facing skills: Engaging stakeholders, bridging technical knowledge with business needs ✔ Leadership: Proven ability to ensure multidisciplinary projects succeed ✔ Flexibility: Comfortable navigating ambiguous and complex challenges under pressure ✔ Collaboration: Committed to knowledge-sharing across the organization
What We Offer
Career Growth & Environment
- Global role: Work across UK, Ireland, and international projects
- Interdisciplinary challenge: Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and digital innovators
- Professional development: Access to AECOM University, industry networks, and leadership training
Flexibility & Well-Being
- Hybrid work arrangements: Customized model balancing remote client work with in-office collaboration
- Compensated opportunities: Hybrid ‘disconnect time’ to manage workload sustainably
- Development support:
- AECOM University programs for CFA, ASCE, etc.
- Career coaching from industry experts
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Benefits Package
- Competitive salary aligned with experience and market standards
- Health & security: Global medical insurance, life assurance, pension contributions
- Workplace safety: Ongoing health & safety training and programs
- Personalized benefits: Life events, real-time childcare support, financial health tools
- Social impact:
- Pledges/funds supporting volunteering projects
- Society in Sync commitment (e.g., feather clock hours’ donations)
Diversity & Belonging
AECOM is committed to an equal opportunity inclusive workplace:
- Neurodiversity-friendly recruitment practices
- Disability Confident Employer: Interview support for applicants with disabilities
- Reasonable accommodations for interview processes and training
About AECOM
Franchise for Progress – This is AECOM. As the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, we deliver outcomes that:
- Transform sustainable urban futures
- Secure critical energy and water resources
- Mitigate climate change risks
- Enhance community resilience and equity
We partner with leaders in public and private sectors to:
- Solve our most complex technical challenges
- Champion innovation and responsible water management
- Make lasting social and environmental impact.
Join us to work at the nexus of engineering and societal progress. Your expertise will shape systems that safeguard people and the planet for generations.
AECOM is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recognise individual strengths and celebrate diversity in thought, experience, and approach.
#AECOMUKHYDROLOGIST #LEGACY Location: Bristol, City of | Base Type: Hybrid | Group: Water – DCS Global Water
Next steps: Apply now to transform challenges into lasting solutions.
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