At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative 3D CFD modelling for hydraulic structures and mentor junior engineers.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting with a focus on water projects.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid work, competitive salary, and tailored benefits to suit your lifestyle.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the water industry while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in engineering and experience with CFD software required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 € per year.
Start here. Grow here. Are you ready to support a team of talented engineers and shape the future of the water industry? 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.
Here’s what you’ll do:
- 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).
Enjoy the Perks. You’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued - and let's not forget the perks! At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core benefits designed to support your future and well-being, and flexible benefits you can customise to suit your lifestyle. Take advantage of our technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days to accelerate your career development, and utilise our flexible hybrid working model to create a healthy work-life balance. We recognise that everyone's circumstances are different, so we're more than happy to discuss part-time or flexible working arrangements.
If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, we want to hear from you.
Qualifications Ready to push the limits of what’s possible? Here’s what we’re looking for:
- Degree (or equivalent) in civil, hydraulic, mechanical engineering or related field.
- Chartered engineer status or actively working towards being chartered.
- Significant experience applying CFD to hydraulic structures (dams, spillways, intakes, outlet works).
- Proficiency in either Flow3D, OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent or other CFD software as well as complementary tools like HEC-RAS, ICEM CFD, Paraview, Rhino, Grasshopper or other pre/post-processing tools.
- Demonstrated strength in combining numerical and physical modelling to solve complex hydraulic challenges.
- Experience with analytical problem-solving, practical engineering judgement, and client-facing communication (reports, presentations, data visualisation).
- Proven capability to mentor, enforce quality assurance, and deliver robust outputs aligned with regulatory and safety requirements.
We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us.
At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives. Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!
Principal CFD Engineer - Dams & Hydraulic Structures TLNT1_NI in Belfast employer: IrishJobs
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions innovation and inclusivity within the water industry. Our dynamic work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering flexible hybrid working arrangements and a wealth of professional development opportunities through AECOM University and technical practice networks. Join us in Edinburgh, Belfast, or Leeds, and be part of a team where your contributions are valued, and you can make a meaningful impact on projects that shape the future of our communities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal CFD Engineer - Dams & Hydraulic Structures TLNT1_NI in Belfast
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, webinars, or even local meetups. The more you engage with professionals, the better your chances of landing that Principal CFD Engineer role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your experiences with CFD modelling and how you've tackled complex hydraulic challenges. Let them see your passion and expertise in action.
✨Ask Questions
During interviews or networking chats, ask insightful questions about the projects they’re working on. This shows you're genuinely interested and helps you understand how you can contribute to their team.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it gives you a chance to showcase your enthusiasm for joining AECOM and being part of our innovative Water Team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal CFD Engineer - Dams & Hydraulic Structures TLNT1_NI in Belfast
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Principal CFD Engineer role. Highlight your experience with CFD software and any relevant projects you've worked on, as this will show us you're a great fit for our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the water industry and how your background makes you the perfect candidate. Don't forget to mention your mentoring experience and how you can contribute to our team's growth.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We want to see your technical prowess! Include specific examples of how you've applied CFD in hydraulic structures and any innovative solutions you've developed. This will help us understand your problem-solving abilities and technical expertise.
Apply Through Our Website:To make sure your application gets the attention it deserves, apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it reaches the right people. Plus, it shows us you're serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at IrishJobs
✨Know Your CFD Software Inside Out
Make sure you're well-versed in the CFD software mentioned in the job description, like Flow3D or ANSYS Fluent. Brush up on your skills and be ready to discuss specific projects where you've applied these tools effectively.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to face technical questions related to hydraulic structures and CFD modelling. Review key concepts such as turbulent flows, energy losses, and cavitation risk. Being able to explain these topics clearly will show your expertise and confidence.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Experience
Since the role involves mentoring junior modellers, be prepared to share examples of how you've guided others in the past. Highlight any experiences where you fostered growth and knowledge-sharing within a team.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous projects and how you overcame them. Be ready to discuss your analytical problem-solving approach and how it led to successful outcomes, especially in client-facing situations.
