Hydraulics Engineers - UK Wide in Manchester

At Jacobs, we are challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world’s most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing. The UK water sector is entering its most transformative era in decades. With the Independent Water Commission (IWC) review and unprecedented investment, this is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to redefine how water and wastewater infrastructure serves communities for generations to come. You won’t just witness this change—you’ll drive it. As a Hydraulic Engineer, you will shape the future of water by delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that protect resources and strengthen resilience.

From feasibility and planning to advanced design, construction, and commissioning, you will play a critical role in projects that matter. Working alongside industry leaders like United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent Water, and Anglian Water, you will help set new standards for excellence—impacting millions of lives and creating a legacy of sustainability. We’re looking for Hydraulic Engineers at all levels—from ambitious early‑career professionals to experienced leaders—to join our teams across the UK and support major water utility investment programmes. Whether you’re starting out or ready to take on a senior role, you’ll work on detailed design and Design & Build projects for water, wastewater, and bioresources infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver hydraulic engineering solutions across clean and wastewater treatment facilities, pressurised and gravity pipelines, pumping stations, CSOs, reservoirs, river intakes, and associated infrastructure.
• Perform hydraulic modelling and analysis using industry‑standard software to support design and operational decisions.
• Develop and review technical documentation, including reports, design calculations, and specifications, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams, integrating hydraulic considerations into broader project designs and objectives.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders, presenting technical findings, recommendations, and project updates clearly and confidently.
• Stay informed on evolving standards and best practices in hydraulic engineering to maintain technical excellence.
• Support project delivery activities, including resource planning, scheduling, and coordination to meet deadlines and quality targets.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and environmental guidelines, promoting sustainable and compliant solutions.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers (for senior roles), fostering technical development and knowledge sharing.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Proven experience in the UK Water Industry, including detailed hydraulic design and understanding of treatment process units.
• Exposure to Design & Build projects with contractors or joint ventures is highly desirable.
• Professional accreditation, such as Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent, with a recognised institution.
• Strong communication skills, capable of translating complex hydraulic assessments into clear technical reports and presentations.
• Deep knowledge of hydraulic theory and practical applications, ensuring robust and innovative solutions.
• Proficiency in open‑channel hydraulic modelling tools, such as HADES, WinHydro, SWMM, or similar software.
• Familiarity with hydraulic transients and surge analysis, with experience using tools like Bentley Hammer, AFT Impulse, or Wanda considered advantageous.
• Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with meticulous attention to detail.
• Demonstrated leadership capability, including managing hydraulic studies and mentoring junior engineers to support their professional growth.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process, please contact the team via Careers Support.