Principal Mechanical Engineer, Water Sector

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

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.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We’re one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Start here. Grow here.

Are you ready to shape the future of water infrastructure?

We’re looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our growing South West and Wales Water Solutions team, with flexibility to be based out of one of our South West locations (Exeter, Bristol & Cardiff). In this role, you’ll play a key part in delivering multi‑billion‑pound capital programmes across the UK water sector, contributing to projects ranging from small rural sites to complex, multi‑million‑pound infrastructure and non‑infrastructure schemes in both water and wastewater. These long‑term frameworks extend through AMP8 and AMP9, offering security, variety, and the opportunity to make a real impact in shaping sustainable water solutions.

Key Programmes You’ll Support

• South West Water – Engineering Consultancy Services Framework: Lot 3 – Multi‑Discipline Engineering Design
• Wessex Water – Capital Delivery Partner Framework: Lot 2 – Design Consultants
• Southern Water – £3.7 billion Capital Delivery Programme
• Strategic Delivery Partner (SDP) Frameworks: Supporting Tier 1 Contractors on:
  • Lot 1: Non‑infrastructure water projects
  • Lot 2: Non‑infrastructure wastewater projects
• Low Complexity Delivery Route & SDP Lot 3 Infrastructure Frameworks: Partnering exclusively with Tier 1 Contractors to deliver high‑quality wastewater infrastructure projects.

With flexible working from our locations, you’ll collaborate across multi‑disciplinary teams to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions. As part of AECOM, you’ll engage in impactful projects from inception through to delivery, enhancing the environment and supporting communities.

Here’s what you’ll do

• 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.

As well as providing innovative and industry‑leading MEICA solutions to clients, the team also collaborates with a wide variety of disciplines from other offices in delivering projects, including a close working relationship with our Enterprise Capabilities centres in India, South Africa and Romania.

Come & Grow With Us

Become part of our dynamic Water business, which boasts around 700 experts across the UK & Ireland, including 170 specialists across our England & Wales Water Solutions team. Collaborate with top‑tier civil, mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to deliver a variety of captivating projects, from small initiatives to large‑scale ventures, all the way from concept to completion. Here, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward‑thinking environment where your contributions are valued.

Enjoy the Perks

At AECOM you’ll enjoy a range of core and personalized benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, customised to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work‑life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering with Chartered Engineer status (or working towards it) through a recognised institution like IMechE.
• Proven expertise in pump station design, piping design, valve selection, hydraulics, 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.

We celebrate diversity, including neurodiversity, and believe it enriches our team. 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. At AECOM, we value everyone’s unique contributions and perspectives.

If you meet some of the requirements above or have transferable skills you believe would benefit us, we would be delighted to hear from you!

Additional Information

Interested in the role or curious about life at AECOM? Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to explore our AECOM voices, employee stories, latest projects, and much more!

For further information about the role, reach out to the recruiter on LinkedIn: Anne Marie Flynn

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.