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Lead Principal CFD Engineer for Dams & Hydraulic Structures

AECOMBelfast
Hybrid Full-time

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Experience Level

Experience

Qualifications

Are you ready to challenge the boundaries of what’s achievable?What We Expect From You:A degree (or equivalent) in civil, hydraulic, mechanical engineering, or a related field. Chartered engineer status or actively pursuing chartered status. Extensive experience in applying CFD methodologies to hydraulic structures (including dams, spillways, intakes, and outlet works). Expertise in CFD software such as Flow3D, OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent, or similar, along with proficiency in complementary tools like HEC-RAS, ICEM CFD, Paraview, Rhino, and Grasshopper. Demonstrated ability to integrate numerical and physical modelling to address complex hydraulic problems. Proven analytical problem-solving skills, practical engineering judgment, and effective client communication abilities (including report writing, presentations, and data visualization). Established track record of mentoring, ensuring quality assurance, and delivering high-quality outputs that comply with regulations.

About the job

Embark on a transformative career journey with us!

Are you eager to collaborate with an exceptional team of engineers and revolutionize the water sector? As a Principal CFD Engineer within our innovative Water Team, you will play a crucial role in executing projects across the UK and abroad. We offer a hybrid working model that allows you to work remotely and from one of our Reservoir Engineering hubs located in Edinburgh, Belfast, or Leeds.

At AECOM, we lead the charge in pioneering advancements, executing outstanding portfolios of water-related programs and projects through enduring partnerships with major clients. This role presents a unique opportunity to work with a diverse and talented team dedicated to fostering innovation and enhancing efficiency.

Your Responsibilities Include:

  • Oversee comprehensive 3D CFD modelling for spillways, energy dissipation structures, intake/outlet works, and other hydraulic systems.
  • Evaluate turbulent and transient flows, energy losses, cavitation risks, air entrainment, water-hammer effects, and scale interactions to inform the design process.
  • Integrate CFD with physical model results (calibration/validation) to derive insights for design optimization and risk mitigation.
  • Create high-quality technical reports, visualizations, and presentations for interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
  • Act as the technical authority for hydraulic CFD within the dams and reservoirs team; ensure adherence to QA standards and best practices.
  • Mentor and support junior modellers to promote skills development and knowledge sharing within the practice.
  • Contribute to scope definition, proposal writing, and cost estimation; assist in business development for CFD services.
  • Coordinate project planning, execution, and delivery timelines across multidisciplinary teams to fulfill project and client expectations.
  • Make occasional site visits for surveys and data collection for model development/calibration as needed (travel is typically infrequent but adaptable to project demands).

Discover the Benefits.

You'll excel in an inclusive and forward-thinking atmosphere where your contributions are recognized. Enjoy a variety of core benefits aimed at enhancing your future and well-being, along with customizable flexible benefits to align with your lifestyle. Leverage our technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteer days to fast-track your career progression, and utilize our adaptable hybrid work model for a healthy work-life balance. We understand that everyone has unique circumstances, so we're more than willing to discuss part-time or flexible working arrangements.

If you have a passion for innovation and bringing bold ideas to fruition, we would love to hear from you. Stay informed about our impactful projects by following our AECOM Water page on LinkedIn.

About AECOM

At AECOM, we are dedicated to making the world a better place through our integrated approach to engineering, design, and management. We strive to deliver innovative solutions that meet the world's most pressing challenges while building lasting relationships with our clients and communities.

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