Principal Mechanical Engineer, Water

AECOM; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid working model

Career development opportunities

AECOM University

Volunteering days

Job summary

AECOM in the United Kingdom is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Water Team with opportunities to be based across North and Midlands offices—Birmingham, Chesterfield, Leeds and Manchester—while benefitting from a flexible hybrid working model.

You will lead the mechanical design for wastewater and water infrastructure, perform site surveys, pump station design, headloss calculations and prepare specifications, schedules and P&IDs.

Qualifications

• Experience leading mechanical design for water/wastewater projects.
• Proven ability to manage bids and client liaison.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and guiding project teams.
• Knowledge of design standards and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for wastewater and water infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams locally and nationally.
• Support bids and proposals and client interfacing.
• Deliver designs within budget and timelines with quality outputs.

Skills

Mechanical design

Project leadership

Client liaison

Mentoring

Bid management

Tools

WIMES

Job description

Job Description

Are you ready to shape the future of water infrastructure?

We are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our established and growing Water Team with opportunities to be based across our North and Midlands offices - Birmingham, Chesterfield, Leeds and Manchester - while also benefiting from our flexible hybrid working model.

Here’s what you’ll do:

Mechanical Design

• Lead, manage and review the design of mechanical elements in wastewater and water infrastructure / treatment projects, including:
  • Site visits to carry out site surveys and the support of liaisons with clients, contractors & suppliers
  • Pumping stations designs
  • Headloss calculations and pumping system analysis
  • Pump selection
  • Designs of screens, grit removal plant, penstocks and valves etc.
  • Odour control systems
  • Plant and pipework layouts
  • Technical specifications and reports, Wimes datasheets, valve schedules, equipment schedules, lifting strategies and P&IDs

Project Stages:

• Engage in all design stages, including Feasibility, Outline, Detail, and Construction Design, ensuring compliance with National and International Design Standards.
• Work closely with other discipline teams both locally and nationwide to deliver high-quality technical solutions.
• Communicate effectively with clients and collaborators throughout the design and planning phases.
• Delegate tasks, direct and oversee the work of others and act as a technical mentor to more junior staff.

Bid Support:

• Lead in the preparation and management of bids and proposals, interfacing with clients to understand their needs and expectations.

Project Delivery:

• Ensure the delivery of quality designs within agreed budgets and timelines, supporting a range of AECOM’s clients, including Severn Trent Water, Yorkshire Water, Wessex Water, South West Water, Southern Water, Thames Water, and Irish Water.
• Review and verify client deliverables, including calculations, drawings and technical reports to relevant standards and procedures.

AECOM’s digital strategy is driving the adoption of global digital solutions internally in our design process, to improve quality and consistency and streamline activities. You will help shape these digital offerings and use them on projects, including BIM, Projectwise, intelligent P&ID’s and AECOM’s own tools developed in-house, such as our pumping station generator.

Benefits and Perks:

Enjoy a range of core and personalised 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

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 [e-mail]. 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

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.

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

We are a DisabilityConfidentEmployer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role. Please let us know using this email address [e-mail] if you would like to apply through the DisabilityConfidentInterview Scheme.