Principal CFD Engineer

Principal CFD Engineer focuses on leading end‑to‑end 3d cfd modelling for spillways, energy dissipation structures, intake/outlet works, and other hydraulic infrastructure.

What the role involves

• Leading end‑to‑end 3D CFD modelling for spillways, energy dissipation structures, intake/outlet works, and other hydraulic infrastructure.
• Analysing turbulent and transient flows, energy losses, cavitation risk, air entrainment, water‑hammer effects, and scale interactions to inform safe, efficient designs.
• Integrate CFD with physical model results (calibration/validation), translating insights into design optimisation and risk reduction.
• Produce high‑quality technical reports, visualisations, and client presentations for interdisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Serve as technical authority for hydraulic CFD within the dams & reservoirs team.
• Support business development related to CFD services.

Skills and requirements

• Degree (or equivalent) in civil, hydraulic, mechanical engineering or related field.
• Significant experience applying CFD to hydraulic structures (dams, spillways, intakes, outlet works).
• Proficiency in either Flow3D, OpenFOAM, ANSYS Fluent or other CFD software as well as complementary tools like HEC-RAS, ICEM CFD, Paraview, Rhino, Grasshopper or other pre/post-pro.
• Experience with analytical problem‑solving, practical engineering judgement, and client‑facing communication (reports, presentations, data visualisation).

Confirmed role details

• This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with flexibility to work from home and one of our Reservoir Engineering hub offices - Edinburgh, Belfast or Leeds.

Candidate fit

• technical judgement, safe working habits, careful diagnostics, and practical problem-solving