Principal Flood Risk Modeller

Let’s transform society together… We’re Sweco. We’re Europe’s leading design, engineering, environment and regulatory consultancy and we’re now recruiting for a Principal Flood Risk Modeller to join our Water team in Glasgow. This role can be worked flexibly with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office and the option of adjusted start and finish times.

As part of the Water team, you’ll help promote the sustainable management of water resources, protecting the water environment and making people and places safer and more resilient to flood risk and climate change. In this role, you’ll play a key part in shaping and delivering flood risk management solutions across the UK, supporting clients through complex regulatory, technical and climate‑driven challenges.

As a Principal Flood Risk Modeller, you will provide technical leadership across flood risk projects, setting best practice in hydraulic modelling and influencing decision‑making on flood mitigation and adaptation measures. You’ll work collaboratively with clients, regulators and multidisciplinary teams, while mentoring and developing colleagues within the modelling team.

What does the role involve?

• Leading and contributing to a wide range of flood risk assessments, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), flood risk management and flood alleviation schemes across the UK.
• Providing technical direction and quality assurance for flood risk and hydraulic modelling deliverables.
• Applying expert judgement in flood risk assessment and management within multidisciplinary project teams, influencing modelling approaches and mitigation strategies.
• Acting as a technical mentor, supporting the development of junior and mid‑level modellers through guidance, review and supervision.
• Supporting optioneering, outline and schematic design of flood risk mitigation measures.
• Contributing to public, stakeholder and statutory consultations where required.

To Be Successful In This Role You

• Hold an MSc/MEng and/or PhD focussed on either hydrology, hydraulic modelling, water resources or other applied environmental science subject.
• Hold chartered status from an appropriate institution (C.Eng or C.WEM).
• Have significant experience in hydraulic modelling applied to a range of projects.
• Demonstrate good technical understanding of UK hydrology and open channel hydraulics.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience of standard hydraulic modelling packages e.g. Infoworks ICM, Flood Modeller Pro, TUFLOW, HEC-RAS.
• Demonstrate ability to lead and manage projects, working within agreed deliverables, key milestones, project methodology, quality assurance and control strategy.
• Understand economic appraisals (MCM, B£ST etc).
• Experience interpreting and applying EA guidance, best practice and technical standards.
• Experience engaging with the Environment Agency, Lead Local Flood Authorities and other RMAs.
• Have experience in optioneering and schematic design.
• Knowledge of Flood Risk Assessment, Natural Flood Management and Sustainable Drainage techniques is also desirable.

What’s in it for you?

This is an exciting time to join Sweco and if you want to be part of a company who is small in all the best ways but large enough to provide a diverse and exciting workload, this job is for you. You will learn from experienced people who share a passion for working together with our clients to deliver technical excellence. If you believe you have the skill set required, are keen to join a business with genuine opportunities for career progression, then we’d love to hear from you.

Employee Benefits

• Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks Policy).
• Competitive pension contribution.
• Life Assurance.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Company car allowance.
• Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme.
• Payment of two relevant professional subscriptions.
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to purchase up to 5 additional days per year).
• Cycle2Work Scheme.
• Employee Assistance Programme (wellbeing, mental health, financial and work advice).
• Employee discounts via Sweco Benefit Select (Faircare).
• Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle Scheme.
• We plant a tree for all new starters!

About Us

Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future. Sweco is committed to enabling all its colleagues to achieve a great balance between work and their other priorities, such as caring responsibilities, leisure activities, further learning or other interests. We offer flexible start and finish times, part time and hybrid working options so that you can flex your hours around your day to day needs.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone. We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. We are an accredited Real Living Wage Employer and a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants who opt into the guaranteed interview scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. If you require reasonable adjustments to the application process, please contact GB_Function-HR-Resourcing@sweco.co.uk for assistance.