Location
Flexible across the UK with core groundwater teams based in Birmingham, Epsom, Oxford and Peterborough.

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive salary commensurate with experience

About the Role
Groundwater modelling is central to how the UK plans and protects its water supply. Every major abstraction decision, environmental impact assessment, and investment case for water infrastructure relies on robust models that inform policy and withstand regulatory scrutiny. The demand and complexity of this work are growing. As an Associate Groundwater Modeller within the Water Management Consultancy at AtkinsRéalis, you will own a portfolio of projects, lead client relationships, develop new business areas, and shape the growth of the team. This role balances technical hands-on work with leadership, commercial ownership, and strategic development.

Your responsibilities will include winning, delivering, and managing groundwater modelling projects across a diverse client base including water companies, regulators, and major water users. You will build and maintain trusted client relationships, lead complex technical work such as conceptualisation, data gathering, numerical modelling, interpretation and reporting, while effectively delegating within the team. You will identify new business opportunities, contribute to innovative approaches and digital tools, mentor junior staff, and collaborate across disciplines including hydrologists, water resource planners, environmental scientists, and digital specialists.

This role offers the opportunity to influence the direction of a growing groundwater practice, working on complex projects spanning water supply, strategic planning, resource optimisation, and environmental assessment. You will be part of a consultancy that addresses the full spectrum of UK water challenges, supported by cross-disciplinary teams and a Global Technology Centre. The team is investing in digital capabilities, including AI-enhanced approaches and consistent methods for regulatory cycles. If you want to help evolve groundwater modelling beyond current delivery, this role is for you.

Experience
- Extensive experience in groundwater modelling, including building, developing and updating conceptual and numerical models at regional scale.
- Proven use of models for assessing abstraction impacts on the environment, ideally with UK regional groundwater models.
- Broad knowledge of water resources hydrogeology and hydrology including WINEP investigations, signal and pumping tests, borehole design, groundwater flooding, and water resource planning.
- Strong understanding of UK hydrogeology and regulatory frameworks.
- Proficiency in MODFLOW (including MODFLOW 6) and recharge models such as 4R or SWAc.
- Desirable coding skills in Python, R, Fortran, VBA or similar, and experience with GIS.
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects through full lifecycle: problem definition, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and recommendations.
- Effective communication skills for technical peer review, client presentations, and stakeholder engagement.

About you
You are an experienced groundwater modelling specialist ready to take ownership of client relationships, commercial aspects, and team development beyond technical delivery. You are a strong leader and collaborator who thrives in a growing, dynamic environment and is passionate about advancing groundwater modelling practice.

Qualifications
- Degree in science, engineering or mathematics.
- Postgraduate qualification in hydrogeology or related subject.
- Ideally chartered through a relevant professional body.