At Jacobs, we're 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, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.
Your impact
Not every technical leadership role gives you the chance to shape the future of an entire capability. This one does.
- As Senior Associate Director or Technical Lead in Coastal Modelling, you'll help define how modelling is used to solve some of the most complex coastal, environmental and infrastructure challenges facing society today.
- You’ll be a key technical voice within our coastal and maritime business, influencing how we develop new approaches, adopt emerging technologies and respond to evolving client needs. From protecting communities against coastal change and flooding to improving water quality and supporting major infrastructure investment, your expertise will help clients make better judgements with confidence.
- Just as importantly, you'll help grow the next generation of technical specialists, strengthening a capability that delivers meaningful outcomes for people, places and the environment.
What's In It For You
This isn't a role where you inherit a fixed brief.
It's an opportunity to build on your strengths, pursue the technical areas that genuinely interest you and help shape where our coastal modelling capability goes next.
At Jacobs, you'll have the freedom, support and platform to
- Influence the future direction of a nationally recognised coastal and maritime modelling team
- Develop specialist capability in areas such as coastal water quality, sediment transport, automation and digital modelling
- Work on a fascinating mix of UK and international projects
- Collaborate with respected experts across coastal engineering, hydroinformatics, environmental science and digital delivery
- Spend more time solving complex technical issues and less time navigating unnecessary bureaucracy
- Grow your industry profile through technical leadership, publications, conferences and thought leadership activities
- Mentor talented modellers and technical specialists, helping shape the people who will be spearheading this in the future
- Benefit from flexible and hybrid working arrangements that fit around your life
- Access excellent professional development opportunities and long‑term career progression
We Offer
- Compensation That Reflects Your Skills And Experience
- Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- 24 days annual leave plus the option to buy up to 10 additional days
- Enhanced pension contributions of up to 10%
- Private medical cover and Digital GP access
- Family planning and fertility support services
- Enhanced parental leave and family support programmes
- Employee Networks We have a commitment to hiring a diverse workforce and supporting colleagues of different backgrounds
- Life assurance at four times your salary
- Income protection for long‑term financial security
- Access to wellbeing support, including Calm and Daily Burn
- Professional memberships funded and ongoing development opportunities
- Paid volunteering time, matched charity funding, and community engagement programmes
About The Opportunity
Demand for coastal, environmental and water sector modelling has never been greater.
As climate resilience, environmental regulation and digital transformation continue to reshape the industry, we're expanding our capability to help clients tackle increasingly complex issues.
This role sits at the heart of that growth.
You’ll work alongside an established modelling senior team members, providing technical direction across a wide range of projects while helping us identify where the next opportunities lie.
Your work could involve
- Coastal process, hydrodynamic and sediment transport modelling
- Coastal water quality and environmental modelling studies
- Maritime infrastructure and port developments
- Climate resilience and coastal adaptation projects
- Water sector and environmental improvement programmes
- Development of innovative digital, automated and data-driven modelling solutions
You’ll act as a trusted technical advisor, supporting project teams, reviewing complex modelling studies and helping ensure excellence across project delivery.
Beyond projects, you’ll play a major role in capability building, supporting recruitment, mentoring colleagues and helping develop the tools, standards and approaches that will underpin the future success of our modelling team.
It's an opportunity for someone who enjoys thinking beyond today's challenges and wants to help define what's next.
Here's what you'll need
- Significant experience in coastal, maritime or environmental modelling
- Strong technical expertise in areas such as hydrodynamics, coastal processes, sediment transport, morphology or water quality modelling
- Experience providing technical leadership, review and guidance on complex modelling projects
- The ability to mentor and develop technical teams
- Strong communication skills and confidence engaging with clients and project stakeholders
- A degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline
The Future of Coastal Modelling Is Being Written Right Now. We're looking for someone who wants to do more than deliver projects. Someone who wants to influence technical direction, champion innovation and help solve the environmental issues that matter most.
Additional Information
Jacobs offers hybrid working and a standard 40‑hour working week.
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 maximise your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering programme, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place.
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. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.
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.
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Senior Associate Director / Technical Lead - Coastal Modelling in Reading employer: Jacobs
At Jacobs, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises safety, integrity, and collaboration. Our Glasgow office provides flexible working arrangements and a wealth of opportunities for professional growth, allowing you to contribute to innovative maritime projects while being part of a supportive team that values diverse perspectives. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the world of civil and structural engineering, all while enjoying the benefits of a global network and a commitment to employee well-being.
