Water infrastructure only works when the hydraulics are right. The forces at play - pressure transients, flow dynamics, the behaviour of fluids under stress, determine whether critical systems perform safely and sustainably, or fail at the worst possible moment. Getting that engineering right, first time, at scale, is exactly what our hydraulic team does.
At Stantec, we're looking for a Senior or Principal Hydraulic Engineer to join our specialist national team, delivering complex hydraulic studies and infrastructure solutions across some of the UK's most significant regulated water frameworks, including Scottish Water, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water and more. Whether you're ready to step into a senior technical role or you're already operating at principal level, there's a place for you here.
ABOUT THE ROLE
This is a role defined by technical depth and breadth. You'll take on technical leadership across the full project lifecycle, from analysis and design through to reporting, monitoring and troubleshooting, with a core focus on detailed steady-state, rapid and long-term transient hydraulic studies. You'll be the technical authority on hydraulic structures and systems, applying advanced analysis tools including Hades, Varism and Flow 3D to engineer robust, evidence-led solutions for clients operating in complex regulated environments.
Beyond the project work, you'll play an active role in shaping the wider hydraulic engineering community at Stantec - mentoring junior engineers, fostering key industry relationships, and contributing to a culture of technical rigour that the team is known for.
YOUR IMPACT
The hydraulic systems you design and assess underpin infrastructure that communities depend on every day. A pressure transient study that prevents a pipeline failure, a hydraulic structure designed to perform across decades of changing demand, a complex troubleshooting exercise that gets a critical asset back on track - this is the kind of work where engineering skill has direct, tangible consequences. Across Tier 1 frameworks with some of the UK's largest water companies, the scale of that impact is significant.
ABOUT YOU
You hold a degree in a relevant engineering discipline, or bring equivalent experience, and you have demonstrable expertise in hydraulic engineering and fluid mechanics within the UK water industry. You're proficient with advanced hydraulic analysis software such as Hades, Varism, Flow 3D or similar and you're comfortable taking technical ownership of complex, high-stakes projects.
At senior level, you'll be ready to step into a leadership-focused role and grow your influence across a national team. At principal level, you'll bring established expertise and a track record of mentoring others and driving technical standards. Wherever you sit on that spectrum, what matters is that you're genuinely motivated by solving difficult hydraulic problems, and that you want to do it somewhere the work is taken seriously.
WHY JOIN US
- We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
- We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named 'Best Place to Work' and 'International Consulting Firm of the Year' at the NCE Awards 2024.
- We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
- We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups)
- Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
- Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
- Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.