Associate Engineer - Structures, Data Center

AECOM; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking an Associate Engineer - Structures based in Centurion, South Africa, with a strong background in structural engineering and leadership. The role supports both local and global teams and offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement.

The successful candidate will lead mid-to-large scale projects, mentor junior staff, and drive design excellence across multidisciplinary teams while maintaining client relationships and pursuing new business opportunities.

Qualifications

• Civil Engineering (Structural) degree required.
• 12+ years of post-qualification experience.
• Professional registration with ECSA as Pr.Eng. for at least 6 years.
• Ability to develop trusted client relationships that can lead to new business.
• Excellent presentation and sales skills with ability to influence closing major projects.
• Solid network in the built environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead a project team of Structures staff and mentor them.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams to deliver fully coordinated designs.
• Conduct design reviews and ensure quality outputs.
• Interface with clients on schedules, meetings and issues.
• Manage project budgets, scope and schedule within client expectations.
• Support the digital Transformation strategy and BIM implementation.

Skills

Leadership

Client relationships

Presentation skills

Collaboration

Advising complex matters

Education

Civil Engineering (Structural) degree

Tools

Revit

Tekla Structural Designer

Job description

AECOM is seeking a Associate Engineer - Structuresto be based in South Africa's Enterprise Capabilities office in Centurion. This position will support a team locally based in South Africa and Global Teams. As a part of AECOM's culture, it offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement which accommodates both office and out-of-office work schedules.

About Enterprise Capabilities

Fundamental to our Think and Act Globally strategy and digital adoption, Enterprise Capabilities (EC) is AECOM’s primary vehicle for workshare. Operating across geographic boundaries and time-zones, EC partners with regional and Global Business Line project teams to provide technical expertise, accelerate delivery and keep AECOM competitive in the industry.

With a team of over 3000 technical professionals located across nine countries and remote technical anchors, EC teams are trusted to deliver high-quality, specialist services that help to fill capability gaps, resourcing needs and technical constraints on projects of all scopes and sizes.

Start here. Grow here.

Here is what you will be doing:

The Associate Engineer is a senior technical resource and serves as the technical advisor for the team. Plans works, provides technical reviews and quality management. Shares technical expertise and experience with others in the company via internal technical communication and presentations. Responsible for the development of high-quality design outputs. Able to do hands‑on design. The Associate Engineer will have superb interpersonal and leadership skills, a growth mindset, attention to detail and an excellent work ethic. The Associate Engineer will serve as lead engineer on mid‑to‑large size projects, providing specialised technical input to studies and design for specific areas of expertise. The Associate Engineer will be able to proactively identify opportunities to support the discipline area's overall growth. This role requires a broad, multi‑disciplinary knowledge of engineering.

Team Responsibilities:

• Lead a project team of junior, mid‑level and senior Structures staff and provide mentorship, direction, and motivation on a daily basis and in a strategic manner to ensure AECOM remains an employer of choice for Structural skills.
• Effectively bring project teams together to work toward a shared goal ensuring the team’s results exceed the total achievements of the individuals.
• Mentor technical leadership talent and train staff, ensuring discipline skills are up to date and industry relevant.
• Create an environment where the team can operate with the highest standards of integrity.
• Coach to develop and maximize strengths of team members.
• Hold themselves and others to high standards.

Business Development:

• Assist with developing market sector intelligence including industry assessments, trends in key markets and client opportunities for investment and winning work.
• Assist with developing a robust technical network within AECOM globally to provide clients with the most appropriate technical solutions and is part of the global technical practice teams.
• Participate in preparing major bids and proposals on the technical side whilst supporting business development initiatives through their technical expertise.

Engineering:

• Responsible for technically leading aspects of projects, supporting Project Managers and technical teams to deliver within scope, budget, timeframe, and high‑quality standards.
• Conduct Design and Drawing reviews to ensure accurate implementation of the scheme design into Detail Design and from Detail Design to Drawings.
• Ensure that projects are delivered within the client budget and schedule.
• Manage, co‑ordinate and resource structural teams.
• Have a working knowledge of Revit, Tekla Structural Designer and other associated design programmes.
• Have a working knowledge of running a structural engineering team in a multi‑disciplinary team environment where all project drawings are generated using BIM tools (Autodesk Revit).
• Interface with clients on schedules, meetings, and issues (manage client expectations and perceptions).
• Anticipate potential schedule or priority delays and initiate plans for alternative actions.
• Apply diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices in broad areas of assignments and related fields.
• Act independently on technical matters and demonstrate innovation to deliver technical excellence.
• Perform technical quality reviews and serve as Lead Verifier on projects confirming that the technical approach satisfies the client scope of services and expectations.
• Support digital transformation strategy and implementation and embrace change within the discipline.
• Ensure assigned teams effectively coordinate with the other disciplines to ensure there are no design gaps providing fully coordinated design deliverables. This includes the support of the construction supervision teams.

Here is what we are looking for:

• Degree in Civil Engineering (Structural), preferably M.Eng or MSc.Eng.
• At least 12 years’ experience post obtaining qualification.
• Professionally registered with ECSA as Pr.Eng. for at least 6 years.
• Ability to develop key and trusted client relationships that can lead to new business.
• Excellent presentation and sales skills with proven ability to influence and persuade, particularly in relation to closing major project deals
• Experienced and solid network in the built environment
• Demonstrated collaborative skills, both internally and externally.
• Ability to advise on complex matters to non‑specialists.

At AECOM, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

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 proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees.

Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include

• medical
• dental
• vision
• life
• AD&D
• disability benefits
• paid time off
• leaves of absences
• voluntary benefits
• perks
• flexible work options
• well-being resources
• employee assistance program
• business travel insurance
• service recognition awards
• retirement savings plan
• employee stock purchase plan

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private‑sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting‑edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award‑winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.