Principal Mechanical Engineer, Water

Company: AECOM
Apply for the Principal Mechanical Engineer, Water
Location: Manchester
Job Description:

Overview

As Principal Mechanical Engineer in our Water Team, you lead mechanical design for wastewater and water infrastructure, coordinating across disciplines and with clients to deliver high-quality solutions. You will oversee site surveys, pump systems, screens, odour control, and plant layouts, guiding projects from feasibility to construction. You’ll drive digital design adoption (BIM, Projectwise, intelligent P&ID’s) and mentor junior staff while bidding for new work. This role blends technical leadership with cross-team collaboration to uplift communities through sustainable water solutions.

Pay / Benefits

  • flexible hybrid working
  • career development opportunities
  • AECOM University
  • volunteering days
  • well-being programs
  • diversity and inclusion

Responsibilities

  • Lead and review mechanical design for water and wastewater projects
  • Conduct site surveys and coordinate with clients, contractors, and suppliers
  • Design pumping stations, headloss analyses, pump selection, and plant/pipe layouts
  • Develop technical specs, datasheets, valve/equipment schedules, and P&IDs
  • Support all design stages from feasibility to construction design and ensure standards compliance
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders across locations
  • Mentor junior staff and delegate tasks
  • Lead bid preparation and client interfacing for proposals
  • Ensure timely, within-budget delivery of high-quality designs
  • Review calculations, drawings, and reports for quality and compliance
  • Support and advance AECOM’s digital design strategy (BIM, Projectwise, in-house tools)

Key requirements

  • Extensive design experience delivering large-scale water engineering projects
  • BEng or MEng in a related engineering field with water/wastewater experience
  • Chartered Member of a relevant Professional Institution
  • Experience in team leadership, mentoring, and line management
  • Project management experience with delegation and client liaison
  • Strong collaboration and coordination skills with teams, clients, and stakeholders
  • collaboration
  • mentoring and leadership
  • effective communication with clients and teams
  • mechanical design for water/wastewater systems
  • pumping systems and headloss calculations
  • pump selection and pumping station design

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Posted: October 1st, 2026