Senior / Principal Hydrologist (Flood Risk Consultant)

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; City of Edinburgh; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in the UK is looking for a Senior or Principal Hydrologist - Flood Risk Consultant to enhance their Hydrology and Flood Risk team. The successful candidate will deliver sustainable flood risk and drainage solutions, prepare Flood Risk Assessments, and mentor junior staff. The role requires a relevant degree and experience in hydraulic modelling and GIS. This is an opportunity to join a collaborative team committed to addressing climate resilience in water management projects.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in delivering and managing water environment projects.
• Experience with hydrological methods for flow estimation.
• Confidence in managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Responsibilities

• Deliver sustainable flood risk and drainage solutions.
• Mentor junior staff and share technical expertise.
• Prepare Environmental Impact Assessments including flood risk chapters.

Skills

Hydraulic modelling

Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs)

Water environment projects

Communication skills

GIS proficiency

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, or related discipline

Tools

Flood Modeller

TUFLOW

InfoWorks ICM

MicroDrainage (InfoDrainage)

ArcGIS Pro

QGIS

Job description

Stantec is seeking a Senior or Principal Hydrologist - Flood Risk Consultant to join our growing Hydrology and Flood Risk discipline within the Water Environment team. You can be based in one of our Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol, or Cardiff offices, joining a friendly team and a collaborative group of over 90 Hydrologists, Hydrogeologists, Water Resources Planners, and Water Quality Scientists.

Our projects include enhancing the resilience of the public water supply, reducing the impact of wastewater treatment infrastructure on the water environment and working with Lead Local Flood Authorities. You will play a key role in delivering sustainable, climate-resilient flood risk and drainage solutions, with opportunities to work across hydraulic modelling, hydrology, Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) design, flood risk appraisal, and development planning support.

You will also contribute to the growth and development of the team - mentoring junior staff, sharing technical expertise, and supporting continuous improvement across our project delivery and quality assurance processes.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will hold a degree in Civil Engineering, Geography, Environmental Science, or a related discipline, and have achieved or are working towards Chartership with a relevant professional body (e.g. CIWEM, ICE).

You will bring significant experience in delivering and managing water environment projects, with a blend of technical expertise, leadership ability, and communication skills that enable you to guide team members and build trusted client relationships. You’ll be confident managing multiple complex projects simultaneously, supporting business development opportunities, and helping shape the future direction of our water and flood risk capability.

Experience and Responsibilities

• Preparation of Flood Risk Assessments (FRAs) in accordance with national planning policy
• Hydraulic modelling using software such as Flood Modeller, TUFLOW or InfoWorks ICM
• Application of hydrological methods, including FEH, ReFH2 and WINFAP for flow estimation
• Development of surface water drainage strategies incorporating SuDS, aligned with CIRIA guidance and LLFA requirements
• Surface water drainage design using tools such as MicroDrainage (InfoDrainage)
• Delivery of flood risk and drainage studies for LLFAs, including Flood Studies, Surface Water Management Plans (SWMPs), Local Flood Risk Management Plans and Flood Protection Schemes (FPSs)
• Contribution to river restoration and natural flood management schemes
• Supporting planning applications with appropriate flood and drainage documentation
• Preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), including screening, scoping and supporting flood risk and drainage chapters
• Proficient use of GIS for spatial analysis and mapping, with experience in software such as ArcGIS Pro and QGIS
• Liaison with regulatory bodies, including LLFAs, Environment Agency, SEPA and water companies
• A sound understanding of relevant planning and technical guidance, including the NPPF, SuDS Manual, and non-statutory technical standards
• Excellent report writing and communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world‑class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.