Principal CFD Engineer - Dams & Hydraulic Structures

Overview

Join our dynamic and multidisciplinary Water Team as a Principal CFD Engineer and help us deliver projects throughout the UK and internationally. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with flexibility to work from home and one of our Reservoir Engineering hub offices - Edinburgh, Belfast or Leeds. At AECOM, we’re at the forefront of innovation, delivering an exceptional portfolio of water programmes and projects through long-term partnerships with key clients.

This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to support and work alongside a talented, diverse team committed to innovation and efficiency.

• Lead end‑to‑end 3D CFD modelling for spillways, energy dissipation structures, intake/outlet works, and other hydraulic infrastructure.
• Analyse turbulent and transient flows, energy losses, cavitation risk, air entrainment, water‑hammer effects, and scale interactions to inform safe, efficient designs.
• Integrate CFD with physical model results (calibration/validation), translating insights into design optimisation and risk reduction.
• Produce high‑quality technical reports, visualisations, and client presentations for interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Serve as technical authority for hydraulic CFD within the dams & reservoirs team; uphold QA standards and best practice.
• Mentor and guide junior modellers, fostering capability growth and knowledge‑sharing across the practice.
• Contribute to scope definition, proposals, and cost estimation; support business development related to CFD services.
• Coordinate planning, execution, and delivery schedules across multidisciplinary teams to meet project and client requirements.
• Undertake occasional site visits (e.g., surveys, data collection for model build/calibration). Travel typically occasional; can flex to project needs.

Enjoy an inclusive and forward‑thinking environment where your contributions are valued. Take advantage of core benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, flexible benefits you can customise to suit your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days to accelerate your career development. Our flexible hybrid working model supports a healthy work‑life balance. We’re happy to discuss part‑time or flexible working arrangements.