Senior Principal Hydrologist; Flood Risk & Sustainable Drainage

The Opportunity

Scotland's water environment faces some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Flood risk is increasing. Climate resilience has never mattered more. And the communities that depend on a safe, sustainable water supply deserve solutions that are built to last.

Based in either our Edinburgh or Glasgow office, you will join a collaborative UK group of over 90 Hydrologists, Hydrogeologists, Water Resources Planners and Water Quality Scientists. Scotland is a key and growing part of that network, and this role sits at the heart of its next chapter.

Your work will span flood risk and drainage, hydraulic modelling, hydrology, nature-based solutions and development planning. You will lead the delivery of complex, climate‑resilient projects, engage with our key client Scottish Water, and play an active role in shaping the direction of the Scotland hydrology team as it continues to grow.

Day‑to‑day you will manage multiple projects simultaneously, support business development opportunities and mentor junior colleagues on their journey towards chartership. You will be a trusted voice for clients and a steady hand for the people around you.

Your technical toolkit will include experience leading work across some or all of the following: hydraulic modelling using Flood Modeller, TUFLOW or Info Works ICM; hydrological methods including FEH, ReFH2 and WINFAP; surface water drainage strategies incorporating SuDS; flood risk assessments and EIAs in line with national planning policy; river restoration and natural flood management; and GIS‑based spatial analysis using ArcGIS Pro or QGIS.

You will also be comfortable liaising with regulatory bodies including SEPA, local authorities and water companies.

The projects you lead here will enhance the resilience of Scotland's public water supply, reduce the environmental impact of wastewater infrastructure and protect communities from flood risk. That is work worth doing, and it requires someone who brings both technical authority and genuine care for the outcomes they are creating.

Beyond the projects themselves, your impact will be felt in the team you help to build. By mentoring the next generation of hydrologists and driving continuous improvement across project delivery, you will leave a mark that lasts long after any individual scheme is complete.

You hold a degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science or a related discipline, and you are Chartered with a relevant professional body such as CIWEM or ICE. You bring more than ten years of experience delivering water environment projects, ideally within the regulated water sector.

You are as comfortable in a client meeting as you are in a technical review. You communicate clearly with both technical and non‑technical audiences, manage complexity without losing sight of the detail, and lead with the kind of quiet confidence that brings out the best in the people around you.

Most importantly, you are looking for more than just another senior role. You want to be somewhere your leadership makes a real difference, to your team, your clients and the communities your work serves.

• We put people first: proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve:
  Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025, named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right:
  Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network.
• Growth:
  We are on an exciting growth journey across the UK – we want you to be part of it!
• Great benefits:
  Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as…