Let’s find your next opportunity
AI Assistant: {{ chat.assistant.message }}
{{meta?.totalCount}}
results found
Sort By
{{ job.job_posting_title
}}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}
We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.
Suggested roles matches
{{ job.title }}
{{ job.title }}
{{ [job.cities[0], job.regions[0], job.countries[0]].join(', ') }}
Various locations
We are sorry there are no jobs that match your exact criteria. Try a new search term, or use the filters to continue browsing for available opportunities.
Let’s find your next opportunity
{{ job.job_posting_title
}}
{{ job.job_posting_title }}
{{ job.is_cms_job ? (job.cities.split(';').length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) : (job.location_mappings.length > 1 ? 'Various locations' : job.location_mappings[0]) }}
Hydraulic engineering is a branch of civil engineering that specializes in building hydraulic engineering designs—'hydraulic' stemming from the Ancient Greek word for water.
Hydraulic power, the use of water and machinery to generate movement, is something humans have been working on for millennia. As far back as Ancient Egypt, Rome, and the California Gold Rush of the 1800s, hydraulic engineering has played a pivotal role in the evolution of our society.
Modern hydraulics has evolved far beyond water mills and dams; it is now a multi-billion dollar industry that spans mechatronics, industrial automation, construction activities, and agriculture.
Whether you're a civil engineer who's curious about specializing in hydraulics or a recent graduate seeking an internship in engineering, it can be helpful to understand the well-established sector of hydraulics engineering and the opportunities it presents.
Let's take a look at hydraulic engineering from the perspective of its history, where it stands today, and what trends are paving its future.
What are some of the major developments in the history of hydraulics?
Reportedly, the first instance of hydraulic engineering dates back to the Perachora Wheel invented in 3 BC. This first example of a hydro-powered wheel sits alongside many other monumental hydraulic inventions at the hands of the Ancient Greeks, such as dams, tunnels, and water pumps.
In Ancient Rome, water mills were used to process stone, flour, and wood. This laid the foundation upon which hydraulic mining was developed, which went on to be instrumental during the Californian Gold Rush from 1848-1855.
What do hydraulic engineers do?
Today's hydraulic engineers are often tasked with conceptualizing and constructing water management systems. Dykes, bridges, underwater tunnels, flood defenses, new canals, and water treatment plants are all examples of hydraulic engineering.
Typically supported by a team of other engineers, professional hydraulic engineers find innovative solutions related to water problems—like rising sea levels—while accounting for environmental impact, safety, and costs.
But that's not the full spectrum of hydraulics engineering.
The hydraulics power sector is a branch of mechatronics that specializes in heavy machinery run on hydraulic principles. Hydraulics equipment is commonly used in aviation, agriculture, and construction.
What are the latest developments in hydraulics?
- Fluid-hydraulic pumps have revolutionized many industries, like pharmaceuticals and construction. Centrifugal pumps make up one of the key sectors of the modern hydraulics market, alongside other pump sets and hydraulics services.
- Hydraulic-powered Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are creating a stir in the industry today, bringing forth the advent of an automated device that can carry loads weighing several tons at a time.
- Hydraulic accumulators are a subset of hydraulic engineering that have changed the industry landscape in recent times, with compressed gas accumulators—or hydro-pneumatic accumulators—being the most commonly used.
What are the future uses of hydraulics?
An interesting—albeit uncertain—future sits on the hydraulics industry's horizon. The rapidly increasing integration of IT in the engineering world will undoubtedly seep into the hydraulic engineering sector.
This leaves experts wondering whether an—as of yet, undefined—technological shift will divert the hydraulics industry away from the electromechanical and towards a new frontier.
As long as energy efficiency continues to sit atop the list of global priorities, one can surmise that hydraulics-focused civil engineers will continue to play an instrumental role in achieving sustainability goals.
Explore hydraulic engineer jobs with AtkinsRéalis
Now that you have a more in-depth understanding of the hydraulics industry and its potential opportunities, why not discover hydraulic engineering and civil engineering careers with AtkinsRéalis?
We pride ourselves on being at the forefront of opportunities in the engineering sector and are passionate about sustainable innovation. If these values speak to you, we hope you'll reach out about your career progression today.
Related blogs
The confidence to explore, the courage to innovate, and the opportunity to grow: Sindhu's journey at AtkinsRéalis.
Sindhu joined AtkinsRéalis through the India Graduate Development Programme in 2020. Five years later, her journey reflects the power of curiosity, innovation, and a willingness to step beyond her comfort zone.
International women in engineering day: from first step to leadership
Sometimes the biggest career shifts come from the smallest moments. For me, it started with a desk move that opened the door to something entirely new.
Powering major infrastructure: Paul on leading electrical engineering in British Columbia
I’m the Manager of Electrical Engineering for British Columbia at AtkinsRéalis, where I lead our Vancouver electrical team and support the delivery of complex infrastructure projects.
Engineering impact starts below the surface
Meet Preethi and read how she transforms complex ground engineering challenges into practical solutions that make a lasting impact.
From India to South Korea: building a career in HSE on one of Asia’s biggest pet food expansions
Meet Ashish, and read about what it takes to lead HSE on a major construction project and why he’s invested his career in helping a multinational organisation operate safely.
From delivery to legacy: Smita on engineering what matters
From project delivery to quality leadership, Smita's journey has been guided by a simple belief: great engineering is not just about what we build, but the impact it leaves behind.
Leading geotechnical work with purpose in Québec city
Meet Marielle and read how she built a career that brings together engineering expertise and leadership.
What early careers really look like in engineering: Teresa Chan’s journey
Discover how Teresa Chan is building her engineering career at AtkinsRéalis — learning through collaboration, support, and real-world project experience.
Designing for better learning environments, from Bengaluru to the UK.
Discover how Bhavya is helping design sustainable, future-ready education spaces for UK communities while building her architectural career at AtkinsRéalis.
From tree planting to carbon modelling: A small tradition that shaped a career.
For Faye, sustainability started with a simple habit and grew into a career. From studying geology to contributing to carbon modelling on major infrastructure projects, her journey shows how personal passion can evolve into meaningful impact.
How Belal Deiranieh is shaping Middle East transportation.
Transportation is at the heart of the Middle East’s transformation. Discover how Belal Deiranieh will help drive the next phase of growth and connectivity at AtkinsRéalis.
From Pune to UK rivers: what Aishwarya’s intern work in water quality looks like.
At AtkinsRéalis, meaningful environmental impact can begin early in your career. As an intern in the Water Management Consultancy team, Aishwarya is helping assess water quality and pollution risks in UK rivers, applying her academic knowledge to real-world challenges that support healthier ecosystems and better environmental outcomes.
Related jobs
Everyone belongs
We empower each individual to shine and contribute to our collective impact. We believe in the power of unique perspectives. It’s how we’re engineering a better future every single day.