Principal Mechanical Engineer Water Sector

AECOM; Moor Side; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading infrastructure consulting firm in the UK is seeking a Mechanical Engineer to support the design and delivery of significant water utility projects. You will be responsible for developing feasibility studies, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, managing project budgets, and ensuring high technical quality. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, strong problem-solving abilities, and experience in the water industry. The role offers flexible working and a range of professional benefits.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Flexible hybrid working model

Volunteering days

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer status or working toward it through a recognized institution.
• Proven experience in engineering reports, designs, and specifications.
• A problem-solver with ownership of challenging technical issues.
• Leadership potential to manage and inspire fellow engineers.
• Experience in the water and/or wastewater industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop feasibility studies and detailed designs.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on projects.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and deliverables.
• Design mechanical installations for water systems.
• Conduct site surveys and liaise with stakeholders.

Skills

Mechanical engineering problem-solving

Client engagement skills

Team leadership

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Overview

In this role, you’ll play a key part in delivering major UK water utility investment programmes, supporting the design and delivery of projects that range from small rural sites to multi‑million‑pound infrastructure and non‑infrastructure schemes. These frameworks are long‑term and extend through AMP8 and AMP9, giving you the chance to contribute meaningfully to sustainable water solutions across multiple regions. You will support the delivery of several high‑value capital programmes, including:

• South West Water – Framework for Engineering Consultancy Services: Lot 3 – Multi‑Discipline Engineering Design
• Wessex Water – Capital Delivery Partner Framework Agreement: Lot 2 – Design Consultant
• Severn Trent Water – Lot 1 Major Projects Framework: Supporting AMP8 delivery plan valued at a TotEx of £14.9 billion
• Severn Trent D&B Projects – Supporting Tier 1 contractors on major non‑infrastructure wastewater schemes
• Southern Water Strategic Delivery Partner (SDP) Frameworks – Lot 1: Non‑infrastructure water projects; Lot 2: Non‑infrastructure wastewater projects
• Southern Water Low Complexity and Infrastructure Frameworks – Lot 2: Wastewater Infrastructure; Lot 3: Infrastructure Framework – Partnering exclusively with Tier 1 contractors to deliver efficient and sustainable water and wastewater solutions

Responsibilities

• Develop feasibility studies, outline and detailed designs, and provide construction support.
• Create design drawings, select mechanical plant, and prepare technical specifications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including civil, electrical, process, and mechanical engineers.
• Ensure high technical quality, contribute to bids, and maintain client relationships.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and deliverables to meet agreed targets.
• Design mechanical installations for water and wastewater systems, including pumps, screens, valves, and odour control.
• Conduct site surveys and liaise with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
• Produce layouts, technical specifications, datasheets, and P&IDs for system designs.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering with Chartered Engineer status (or working toward it) through a recognised institution like IMechE.
• Proven expertise in producing, reviewing, and approving engineering reports, designs, drawings, and specifications.
• A problem‑solver at heart, confident in taking ownership of challenging technical issues and seeing them through to resolution.
• Leadership potential, able to manage direct reports, inspire technical excellence, and support the growth of fellow engineers.
• Exceptional client and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience in team leadership, mentoring, and line management.
• Experience in the water and/or wastewater industry.

Benefits

At AECOM you’ll 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, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

About AECOM

We are the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services across the project lifecycle. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through unrivaled technical and digital expertise and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities.

Equal Opportunity Employer

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.