Principal Design Engineer - Water

AECOM Corporation; Abu Dhabi; Hybrid; AED 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM in Abu Dhabi seeks a Principal Design Engineer - Water to drive the design, development and delivery of water infrastructure projects. You will provide technical leadership, mentor engineers, and shape regional water systems by applying advanced modeling tools and sustainable design principles.

You will oversee complex projects, manage client relationships, and contribute to proposals while aligning with regulatory standards and corporate goals.

Qualifications

• PE/MICE certification required; LEED AP or PMP desirable.
• Minimum 15 years in wet utilities engineering, with at least 8 years in UAE or GCC.
• Proven track record managing large multidisciplinary projects.
• Extensive experience with hydrology, hydraulic modeling, and municipal design.
• Proficiency in SewerGEMS, WaterGEMS, InfoWorks, InfoWater and GIS tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction for wet utilities projects and technical leadership for the team.
• Oversee planning, design and delivery of complex water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Lead client meetings, reporting, and stakeholder coordination to secure projects.
• Mentor engineers and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Drive technical excellence with advanced modeling and sustainable design practices.
• Lead proposals and develop relationships to secure repeat business.

Skills

Strong leadership

Water and wastewater design

Hydrology & hydraulic modeling

Communication & stakeholder mgmt

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) / MICE

LEED AP or PMP desirable

Tools

SewerGEMS

WaterGEMS

InfoWorks

InfoWater

GIS

Job description

• Legal Entity: AECOM MIDDLE EAST LIMITED ABU DHABI
• Business Line: Transportation
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AE - Abu Dhabi, UAE - International

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

We are seeking an accomplished Principal Design Engineer - Water to join our organization in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. In this strategic leadership role, you will drive the design, development, and delivery of innovative water infrastructure projects while providing technical expertise and mentorship to our engineering team. As a visionary leader, you will shape the future of water systems in the region by combining advanced engineering practices with sustainable design principles.

• Strategic Leadership:
  • Provide strategic direction and leadership for wet utilities projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and client requirements.
  • Act as a technical authority and subject matter expert in the field of wet utilities engineering.
• Project Oversight:
  • Oversee the planning, design, and execution of complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards.
  • Manage risk and ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards.
• Client and Stakeholder Engagement:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies
  • Lead client meetings, presentations, and negotiations to secure and maintain projects.
• Team Development:
  • Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within the team.
• Technical Excellence:
  • Lead the development of innovative solutions for complex engineering challenges.
  • Ensure the application of advanced modeling techniques and software tools, such as InfoWorks and InfoWater, in project delivery.
  • Promote the adoption of sustainable and resilient design practices in all projects.
• Business Development:
  • Lead proposal development efforts.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with key clients to secure repeat business

Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (Peng) certification, MICE or similar is required; additional certifications such as LEED AP or PMP are highly desirable.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in wet utilities engineering, including leadership roles out of which minimum 8 years should be in UAE or other GCC countries.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale, multidisciplinary projects.
• Extensive experience with hydrology, hydraulic modeling, and municipal infrastructure design.
• Proficiency in relevant software tools, including Sewer GEMS, Water GEMS, Info Works, InfoWater, and GIS applications.

Key Skills:

• Strong leadership and team management abilities.
• Expertise in water and wastewater infrastructure design and management.
• Advanced knowledge of hydrology and hydraulic modeling.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.

Additional Information

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.