About the job
Embark on Your Journey with Us.
Are you prepared to collaborate with a team of skilled engineers and influence the future of the water industry?
Become a vital part of our innovative and multidisciplinary Water Team as a Principal CFD Engineer, where you will contribute to projects across the UK and beyond. This position allows for a hybrid work model, providing the flexibility to work from home and from one of our Reservoir Engineering hubs located in Edinburgh, Belfast, or Leeds.
At AECOM, we lead the charge in innovation, delivering a remarkable array of water programs and projects through long-lasting partnerships with prestigious clients. This role presents a unique opportunity to collaborate with a diverse team dedicated to advancing innovation and operational efficiency.
Your Responsibilities:
- Oversee comprehensive 3D CFD modeling for various hydraulic infrastructures, including spillways and energy dissipation structures.
- Evaluate turbulent and transient flows, energy losses, cavitation risks, air entrainment, and water-hammer effects to guide the development of safe and efficient designs.
- Combine CFD results with physical model data (calibration/validation), translating findings into enhanced designs and minimized risks.
- Create detailed technical reports, visual representations, and presentations for interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
- Act as the principal technical authority for hydraulic CFD within the dams and reservoirs team; maintain quality assurance standards and best practices.
- Provide mentorship to junior modellers, promoting skill development and knowledge sharing throughout the practice.
- Assist in defining project scopes, proposals, and cost estimates; support business development initiatives related to CFD services.
- Coordinate planning, execution, and delivery timelines across multidisciplinary teams to fulfill project and client expectations.
- Occasionally conduct site visits for surveys and data collection necessary for model building and calibration (travel is typically infrequent but adaptable to project demands).
Benefits of Joining Us.
You will flourish in an inclusive and progressive environment where your contributions are recognized. At AECOM, you will benefit from a comprehensive range of core benefits aimed at enhancing your future and well-being, along with customizable flexible benefits tailored to your lifestyle. Take advantage of our technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteer days to advance your career while enjoying our adaptable hybrid working model that promotes a healthy work-life balance. Understanding that individual circumstances vary, we are open to discussing part-time or flexible working arrangements.
If you are excited about innovation and transforming ambitious ideas into reality, we would love to hear from you. Follow our AECOM Water page on LinkedIn to keep abreast of the impactful projects we are engaged in.

