Principal / Associate Director - Mechanical Engineer (Buildings)

AECOM Corporation; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Extra annual leave

Professional development

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Associate Director/Principal Mechanical Engineer for Buildings in Sydney. You will lead mechanical design for major projects, mentor engineers, and ensure high-quality deliverables across complex building scopes. The role combines client engagement with hands-on technical leadership in a hybrid work environment.

The ideal candidate has Chartered Engineer status, 11+ years in Building Services, and strong communication to drive project success with national teams.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer with professional registration or equivalent recognition.
• 11+ years in Building Services consultancy or mechanical contracting design.
• Proven track record in technical design and project delivery with strong client relationships.
• In-depth knowledge of Building Services projects and standards; able to share expertise with teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design and delivery for major client projects from concept to completion.
• Deliver innovative, practical, and cost-effective solutions across varying project sizes.
• Participate in design reviews and assurance to meet high standards.
• Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to project outcomes.

Skills

Client engagement

Mentoring

Mechanical design

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Chartered Engineer registration

RPEQ/RPEV registration

Job description

Principal / Associate Director - Mechanical Engineer (Buildings)

• Full-time
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Australia Pty Ltd
• Business Line: B&P - Buildings & Places
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: AU - Sydney, NSW

Come and grow with us.

Our global portfolio of work comprises the design of iconic and award-winning buildings and landscapes. From strategic planning through to project realisation, the connections we make among people and place provide sustainable outcomes for our clients and the communities we serve. We place a premium on investing in digital capabilities and innovations which bring a unique consistency and efficiency to our scalable work. Together with our clients, we are working to evolve and elevate the built environment across sectors including social infrastructure, transit, technology and logistics, and commercial and corporate real estate, while focusing on solutions that promote long term health and wellbeing for all.

Everyone belongs at AECOM

We’re committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging - because great ideas come from diverse perspectives. AECOM is proud to be a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025 Winner and an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

Due to strategic growth, we are looking for an Associate Director or Principal level Mechanical Engineer to join our Building Engineering team, based in Sydney. This opportunity is ideal for a well-connected industry professional who brings deep technical expertise, strong client engagement skills and experience delivering complex building engineering projects across multiple sectors.

How you’ll make a difference:

• Lead mechanical design and delivery for major client projects, from concept through to completion.
• Apply your extensive design experience to deliver innovative, practical and cost-effective solutions across projects of varying size, scope and complexity.
• Participate in technical reviews and design assurance, ensuring project deliverables meet the highest standards.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary engineering teams, contributing to interdisciplinary reviews and project outcomes.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, helping to drive successful project delivery.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers, sharing your technical knowledge and supporting the growth of our local and national teams.
• Undertake quality control reviews of design calculations, drawings and technical documentation.

The qualities that help you thrive:

The following qualifications and experience are highly desired, but if you don’t tick all the boxes, you could still be a perfect fit for this role.

• Chartered Engineer with relevant professional engineer registration, or transferrable RPEQ/RPEV registration. Equivalent recognition with a relevant professional body will also be considered.
• Ideally, 11+ years’ experience in a Building Services consultancy or significant design experience within the Mechanical Contracting field.
• Proven record in technical design and project delivery while building and maintaining strong client relationships.
• In-depth knowledge of Building Services projects and Standards, able to share technical expertise with clients, junior engineers, and broader teams across major projects.
• Experience managing multiple technical projects simultaneously, with demonstrable design experience across a variety of market sectors.
• Excellent communication and soft skills, with a passion for mentoring and developing junior engineers.

Due to the nature of projects, Australian Citizenship is required, with current / previously held defence clearance highly regarded.

Why you’ll love working with us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times,job-sharing and hybrid work options
• Purchase up to 6 weeks additional annual leave per year
• Flex public holidays – swap Easter or other holidays for ones that suit you better
• Continuous learning and growth - lunch and learns, professional development courses, financial study assistance, 5 days paid study leave, global career opportunities

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, additional health or mental health needs, and/or neurodiverse conditions. If you require any adjustments during the hiring process, please let us know.

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.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the landson which we, our clients and our communities live and workaround Australia.We pay our respects to their cultures and to their Elders — past, present, and emerging. We are committed to connecting to Country in our work through meaningful engagement with First Nations peoples and businesses.Find out more about our Australian Reconciliation Action Plan here:https://aecom.com/au/our-vision-for-reconciliation/.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options.Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion – a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation and benefits programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We also provide a robust global well-being program. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry‑leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility.As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

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