Principal Mechanical Engineer, Water

AECO; Manchester (NH); Hybrid; USD 93,708 - 120,482; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Water Team with opportunities across Birmingham, Chesterfield, Leeds and Manchester, leveraging a flexible hybrid working model. Lead the mechanical design of wastewater and water infrastructure, manage bids, and mentor junior staff while delivering high-quality solutions to major water clients.

Collaborate with civil, mechanical, electrical and process engineers on projects from concept to completion within a global, 50,000-strong

Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and review the design of mechanical elements in wastewater and water infrastructure / treatment projects, including site visits for surveys, pumping stations design, headloss calculations, pump selection, screens, grit removal, penstocks and valves, odour control systems, plant and pipework layouts, and related specifications.
• Engage in all design stages (Feasibility to Construction), ensure compliance with design standards, and collaborate with other discipline teams to deliver high-quality technical solutions.
• Lead in the preparation and management of bids and proposals, interfacing with clients to understand needs and expectations.
• Ensure delivery of quality designs within budgets and timelines, supporting multiple water clients such as Severn Trent Water and others, reviewing calculations, drawings and reports to standards.
• AECOM’s digital tools and BIM processes are integrated into project design to improve quality and streamline activities, mentoring junior staff and shaping digital offerings.

Job description

• Legal Entity: AECOM Infrastructure and Environment UK Limited
• Business Line: Water
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Operating Group: International
• Primary Location: UK - Chesterfield

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

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.

If you're passionate about innovation and turning bold ideas into reality, AECOM welcomes you. Join our team, where we don't just construct infrastructure but also uplift communities and enhance lives. Why not give our AECOM Water page on LinkedIn a follow to stay updated on the impactful projects we're working on and see firsthand the difference we're making in the industry!

Come & Grow with Us.

Become part of our dynamic Water business, which boasts around 600 experts across the UK & Ireland, including 300 specialists across our England & Wales Water team. Collaborate with top-tier civil, mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to deliver a variety of captivating projects, from small initiatives to large-scale ventures, all the way from concept to completion. Here, you’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued.

Enjoy the Perks.

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 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 [e-mail]. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.

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 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 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, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. 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.

We are aDisabilityConfidentEmployer 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 [e-mail] if you would like to apply through theDisabilityConfidentInterview Scheme.

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