Principal Mechanical Engineering - Water Infrastructure

AECOM; Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 170,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work options

Extra annual leave

Volunteer leave

Flex public holidays

Job summary

AECOM in Melbourne is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead design and delivery of water infrastructure projects. Join a team that leverages mentoring from industry leaders and collaboration across interstate and international offices.

You will contribute to feasibility studies, plant layouts, P&IDs, and hydraulic analyses while supporting hybrid work arrangements and diverse client portfolios. This role offers opportunity to drive innovative solutions in water and wastewater sectors.

Qualifications

• Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Progress toward Chartered status with a relevant institution (e.g., IMechE or Engineers Australia).
• Proven ability to deliver engineering designs, reports, drawings, technical specifications, and calculations with confidence and precision.
• Hands-on experience delivering innovative water and wastewater engineering projects.
• Proficiency in hydraulic modelling and related software (network hydraulic grid modelling, adding new connections, assessing overall grid performance, and transient/surge modelling).

Responsibilities

• Prepare feasibility studies, outline designs, detailed designs, and construction support.
• Produce plant layouts, design drawings, and mechanical plant selections, including specifications, WIMES Data Sheets, valve schedules, equipment schedules, lifting strategies, hydraulic headloss calculations, and P&IDs for water projects.
• Collaborate with our water and other discipline teams, including civil, electrical, process, and mechanical engineers nationwide.
• Conduct site visits to perform surveys and liaise with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
• Participate in and contribute to design review meetings such as HAZOPs, HAZIDs, ALMs, and SWIFTS.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Chartered status progress

Engineering design

Hydraulic modelling

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Company Description

Grow with Us.

At AECOM, we are committed to balancing the world’s need for safe, reliable water while protecting this vital natural resource for future generations. Our approach requires a profound understanding of interconnected systems, and we pride ourselves on working with clients throughout the entire project lifecycle, from initial planning studies to final construction and ongoing operations and maintenance services. We offer both traditional and innovative project delivery options, including design-build, public-private partnerships, and financing.

Why AECOM?

We believe that everyone belongs at AECOM . Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging ensures that great ideas emerge from diverse perspectives. AECOM is honored to be recognised as a Fortune 500 Most Admired Company, a WGEA Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, and a recipient of the #Work180 Equitable Workplace Awards 2025, along with being an AWEI Bronze Tier LGBTQ+ Inclusive Employer.

Job Description

About the Role

Due to significant contract awards within our ANZ Water business, we are expanding our Water Infrastructure Team in Melbourne, VIC. Our Water Infrastructure group provides essential services to a diverse range of clients, focusing on water and wastewater treatment, dams, asset management, major conveyance, industrial, civil infrastructure, mining, and defense sectors. We are dedicated to supporting sustainable outcomes for our clients and the communities they serve.

We are seeking a passionate Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will benefit from mentoring and guidance from industry‑leading experts and have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across interstate and international offices.

How You’ll Make a Difference

• Prepare feasibility studies, outline designs, detailed designs, and construction support.
• Produce plant layouts, design drawings, and mechanical plant selections, including specifications, WIMES Data Sheets, valve schedules, equipment schedules, lifting strategies, hydraulic headloss calculations, and P&IDs for water projects.
• Collaborate with our water and other discipline teams, including civil, electrical, process, and mechanical engineers nationwide.
• Conduct site visits to perform surveys and liaise with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
• Participate in and contribute to design review meetings such as HAZOPs, HAZIDs, ALMs, and SWIFTS.

Qualifications

While the following qualifications and experience are highly desired, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. All applications will be considered!

• A degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Progress toward Chartered status with a relevant institution (e.g., IMechE or Engineers Australia).
• Proven ability to deliver engineering designs, reports, drawings, technical specifications, and calculations with confidence and precision.
• Hands‑on experience delivering innovative solutions for water and wastewater engineering projects.
• Proficiency in hydraulic modelling and related software (mechanical or civil), including network hydraulic grid modelling, adding new connections, assessing overall grid performance, and transient/surge modelling.

Why You’ll Love Working with Us

• Flexible work arrangements, including alternative start/finish times, part‑time, job‑sharing, and hybrid work options.
• Purchase up to 6 weeks of additional annual leave per year.
• Volunteer and representation leave.
• Flex public holidays—swap Easter or other holidays for those that suit you better.

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.

#WORK180

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.

AECOM acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which we, our clients and our communities live and work around 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.