Principal Mechanical Engineer, Water Sector

Company Description: At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

Job Description: We’re looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our growing Water Solutions team, with opportunities to be based across our England & Wales offices. In this role, you’ll play a key part in delivering major UK water utility investment programmes, supporting the design and delivery of projects that range from small rural sites to multi-million-pound infrastructure and non-infrastructure schemes.

You will support the delivery of several high-value capital programmes, including:

• South West Water – Framework for Engineering Consultancy Services: Lot 3 - Multi-Discipline Engineering Design
• Wessex Water – Capital Delivery Partner Framework Agreement: Lot 2 - Design Consultant
• Severn Trent Water – Lot 1 Major Projects Framework: Supporting AMP8 delivery plan valued at a TotEx of £14.9 billion
• Severn Trent D&B Projects – Supporting Tier 1 contractors on major non-infrastructure wastewater schemes
• Southern Water Strategic Delivery Partner (SDP) Frameworks: Lot 1: Non-infrastructure water projects, Lot 2: Non-infrastructure wastewater projects
• Southern Water Low Complexity and Infrastructure Frameworks: Lot 2: Wastewater Infrastructure, Lot 3: Infrastructure Framework

Working flexibly, you’ll visit client sites and collaborate with teams across multi-year frameworks. As part of our thriving business, you’ll take on rewarding multi-disciplinary projects from inception to delivery, creating innovative solutions that enhance the environment and improve communities.

Responsibilities:

• Develop feasibility studies, outline and detailed designs, and provide construction support.
• Create design drawings, select mechanical plant, and prepare technical specifications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including civil, electrical, process, and mechanical engineers.
• Ensure high technical quality, contribute to bids, and maintain client relationships.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and deliverables to meet agreed targets.
• Design mechanical installations for water and wastewater systems, including pumps, screens, valves, and odour control.
• Conduct site surveys and liaise with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
• Produce layouts, technical specifications, datasheets, and P&IDs for system designs.

Qualifications:

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering with Chartered Engineer status (or working towards it) through a recognised institution like IMechE.
• Proven expertise in producing, reviewing, and approving engineering reports, designs, drawings, and specifications.
• A problem-solver at heart, confident in taking ownership of challenging technical issues and seeing them through to resolution.
• Leadership potential, able to manage direct reports, inspire technical excellence, and support the growth of fellow engineers.
• Exceptional client and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience in team leadership, mentoring, and line management.
• Experience in the water and/or wastewater industry.

AECOM is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds and abilities. If you are an applicant with a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact us at ReasonableAccommodations@aecom.com.