Job Description
Metocean & Hydrodynamic Modelling Engineer
Edinburgh or Orkney (hybrid working)
About Orbital
Orbital Marine Power is a visionary Scottish renewable energy company focused on the global application of its pioneering floating turbine technology that can supply predictable power from tidal streams and ocean currents, every day, regardless of the weather. The technology has already been proven at full scale, with the company operating the world’s most powerful tidal turbine since July 2021. This provides invaluable operational insight while clearly demonstrating the technology’s commercial viability. With global interest in tidal energy accelerating, Orbital is expanding its team to support larger‑scale manufacture, multi‑turbine delivery and the next stage of commercial growth.
The company recently secured an additional £7m investment and won a major new project in Canada that will see at least six turbines deployed in one of the world’s most promising locations for tidal energy generation. Orbital enters this next phase with strong momentum and a clear pathway to larger deployments and long‑term expansion.
What this role is about
You will support the design and development of Orbital’s tidal projects through site characterisation, metocean analysis and hydrodynamic modelling. This includes analysing wave and tidal data, designing turbine array layouts and helping advance Orbital’s in‑house wake modelling tools.
The role suits someone who enjoys detailed technical modelling, collaborating with internal specialists and external research partners, and contributing directly to design decisions that influence the performance, reliability and layout of future turbine arrays.
Depending on experience, you may also support floating structure hydrodynamic modelling, including mooring and umbilical design using industry‑standard tools such as OrcaFlex.
What you will be doing
* Characterising tidal sites through wave and tidal data analysis, with emphasis on ADCP datasets.
* Completing yield assessments using harmonic analysis.
* Managing GIS workspaces and presenting spatial data for decision‑making.
* Capturing key constraints — resource distribution, wakes, cable routes, environmental and navigational factors, permitting and operational windows.
* Developing array layouts informed by site conditions and performance needs.
* Using and improving Orbital’s wake‑modelling tools to predict turbine interactions and optimise array performance.
* Collaborating with university partners to advance wake‑modelling methods.
* Supporting hydrodynamic modelling of the floating platform using OrcaFlex, depending on experience.
* Contributing to design studies for moorings, umbilicals and installation activities.
What you will bring
* A degree in engineering, physics or a related discipline.
* Experience in at least one of the following areas: metocean analysis (including ADCP), coastal hydrodynamic modelling or wake modelling, or floating offshore structure modelling (e.g., OrcaFlex).
Useful but not essential:
* Knowledge of hydrodynamic modelling in marine renewables or wind energy.
* Experience across multiple of the essential areas mentioned above.
* Experience with mooring design, offshore operations planning or GIS/marine spatial planning.
Why the role matters and why it’s interesting
This role sits at the core of Orbital’s future project development pipeline. The insights you generate—from resource assessment to wake interactions to floating platform behaviour—directly shape the performance and efficiency of Orbital’s next‑generation deployments.
You will work closely with internal engineering teams and leading academics, helping push forward the modelling capabilities that underpin Orbital’s technology roadmap. This is a chance to apply technical modelling skills to real‑world engineering challenges with global renewable‑energy impact.
Interested in taking things further?
If you want more information or would like to discuss your suitability, please apply or contact Eden Scott in confidence at anita.galbraith@edenscott.com. Even if you are not actively looking or do not have an updated CV, you are very welcome to get in touch for an initial conversation.
Eden Scott is working exclusively on this appointment. Any direct or 3rd‑party applications to Orbital Marine Power will be directed to Eden Scott for consideration.
Remuneration Package
Orbital offers a competitive salary based on experience, a robust benefits package designed to support the wellbeing, security and long‑term growth of Orbital employees, including private medical care and generous holiday allowance, and excellent opportunities for professional growth as the business continues to expand.