Associate Technical Director – Surge / CFD Modelling

Overview

You will lead Arcadis’ hydraulic engineering discipline, setting standards and directing complex surge, CFD, and advanced modelling for water and wastewater assets. As technical conscience of the Water business, you mentor a specialist team and translate modelling outputs into practical, defensible solutions that reduce risk and inform large-scale investment. The role sits within AMP8 framework delivery, collaborating with contractors and clients to deliver reliable, efficient infrastructure. You will shape technical governance, champion digital innovations, and raise Arcadis’ profile in hydraulic engineering. This is a chance to drive impactful, cross-disciplinary projects at national and国际

Responsibilities

• Act as the named technical authority for pressure surge, transient hydraulics, and CFD studies across capital schemes, framework programmes, and operational risk work
• Direct and oversee advanced transient and CFD studies (e.g., rising mains, pump-station protection, air entrainment, multiphase flow, priming/draining, treatment plant hydraulics) ensuring outputs are defensible and client-ready
• Develop, maintain and embed technical standards, model assurance frameworks, QA protocols and design guidance for surge and CFD
• Apply and champion modelling platforms (HAMMER, Wanda, VariSim, ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM, HADES) and evaluate new tools
• Drive integration of data-driven methods, AI/ML, digital twins and automated workflows into hydraulic modelling practice
• Provide cross-functional technical leadership to improve whole-system outcomes across multi-disciplinary programmes
• Build and maintain trusted technical relationships with UK water utilities and contractors
• Lead technical delivery within AMP8 framework programmes and manage quality and obligations in complex delivery structures
• Manage project finances including fee negotiation, earned value, cost control and variations to ensure profitable, on-schedule studies
• Represent Arcadis at industry conferences, contribute to publications and build external profile for the firm’s hydraulic engineering brand
• Recruit, develop and lead a team of hydraulic modelling specialists, from graduate to principal level
• Mentor engineers towards chartered status (CEng/CIWEM/IMechE) and support professional development
• Lead technical forums, internal training, and cross-business knowledge sharing to embed hydraulic expertise
• Maintain academic and industry links to attract talent and keep practice at the frontier

Key requirements

• Minimum 12 years of progressive hydraulic engineering experience with specialization in pressure surge/transient analysis and/or CFD for water and wastewater facilities
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with membership/fellowship of CIWEM (FCIWEM/MCIWEM), IMechE, ICE or equivalent
• Technical authority in transient hydraulic modelling including surge and pump-station protection design using HAMMER, Wanda, VariSim or equivalent
• Proven CFD modelling capability using ANSYS Fluent, OpenFOAM for water and wastewater hydraulics and related applications
• Track record of governance, assurance frameworks, QA standards, and design guidance to improve programme quality
• Experience leading and developing specialist engineering teams and growing hydraulic capability
• Experience with major UK water utilities and understanding of AMP framework, capital delivery, and client procurement
• Strong commercial acumen with experience in bids, framework submissions, and maintaining profitable client relationships

• leadership and mentoring
• stakeholder management
• cross-functional collaboration
• HAMMER
• Wanda
• VariSim

…