Coastal Engineer

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy committed to delivering impactful work that shapes the future.

We are a team of over 20,000 experts working across the world in more than 50 countries.
We are proud to be part of an ever-changing global industry, delivering transformative work that’s defining our future. It’s our people who power that performance. As an employee-owned business, we invest in creating a space for everyone to feel safe and valued and empowered with the right tools and support.

Whether you want to pursue excellence in your specialism or broaden your experience with flexible roles across our business, you’ll be connected to a community of global experts championing you to be your best. Join us and shape your story with Mott MacDonald, where everyone has the opportunity to be brilliant.

About the role

Mott MacDonald is growing its coastal engineering presence across the Middle East—and we’re looking for a passionate Coastal Engineer to join our dynamic land development team. You’ll collaborate with experts across mobility, utilities, sustainability, environment, and waste to deliver transformative coastal and maritime infrastructure projects in the UAE, KSA, and beyond.

This is a unique opportunity to make your mark on high‑profile coastal developments, working on everything from strategic masterplanning to cutting‑edge numerical modelling. If you thrive in multidisciplinary environments and want to help shape resilient, future‑ready coastlines, we want to meet you.

You’ll play a key role in delivering and winning projects that define the region’s coastal landscape. Typical assignments include:

• Major masterplanning and infrastructure design
• Breakwaters, harbors, marinas, and shoreline protection
• Beach design, stabilization studies, and land reclamation
• Numerical modelling (waves, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, flushing, and more)

Key responsibilities and duties are listed, but not limited to, below:

• Support proposal preparation and business development activities where required.
• Assist in preparing technical inputs for tender submissions.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary teams across coastal and marine projects.
• Undertake hydrodynamic, wave, sediment transport, and water quality modelling using industry-standard software such as MIKE21 and Delft3D.
• Support the delivery of engineering analysis and design for recreational, commercial, and industrial maritime facilities.
• Prepare technical reports, engineering calculations, drawings, and project documentation.
• Conduct met-ocean assessments and analyse wind, wave, tide, and water level data.
• Apply relevant international standards and engineering best practices.
• Support project delivery and client engagement activities, including occasional travel within the region.

Candidate specifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marine, Coastal, Civil, or related Engineering discipline.
• 3-6 years of relevant experience in coastal and marine engineering.
• Experience in coastal or marine engineering projects, preferably within the UAE or Middle East.
• Experience in the analysis and design of one or more of the following: coastal structures, marinas, beaches, shoreline protection works, intakes/outfalls, quay walls, or reclamation projects.
• Experience in numerical modelling and met-ocean data analysis.
• Familiarity with MIKE21, Delft3D, AutoCAD, and GIS software.
• Working toward professional accreditation or chartered status is desirable.
• Excellent communication and report-writing skills.
• Commercial awareness and ability to work within budget and programme requirements.

Your benefits and rewards

Our benefits vary by country and are subject to eligibility and local policy:

• Rewards and bonuses: we are owned by our people (no external investors) and through our employee ownership model success is shared through annual bonus opportunities and longer-term participation as your career grows (subject to local plan, eligibility and business performance)
• Medical insurance and life insurance as per local plan (standard and enhanced coverage may vary by country and policy).
• Annual leave in line with local policy (competitive within the market).
• Maternity leave above and beyond local provisions and paternity leave provisions where applicable
• Professional membership/ institution subscription support
• Learning and career development through project variety, technical networks and structured development opportunities.
• An inclusive culture: we’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.