Principal Water Infrastructure Engineer

Aecom; Cape Town; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM in Cape Town is seeking a Principal Water Infrastructure Engineer to lead and grow the local Water Infrastructure team while supporting project delivery across Australia’s NQNT region. The role blends technical leadership, delivery oversight and people management to ensure quality and safety across water and wastewater projects.

You will mentor staff, build capability, and foster collaboration with Australian project managers and technical leads to drive long-term growth of the Cape Town

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited University.
• Master of Science / Engineering, in relevant discipline.
• Professionally registered as an Engineer with ECSAi.
• 12+ years of relevant experience after obtainment of Qualification.
• Chartered or professional member of relevant professional body (or eligible for registration / chartered status CPEng / RPEQ).
• Proven experience in water and/or wastewater projects within consulting and design environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and grow the Cape Town Water Infrastructure team and support project delivery across the North Queensland and Northern Territory region in Australia.
• Coordinate delivery of engineering services across water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Ensure high-quality outcomes, safety, and adherence to project, safety and quality requirements.
• Develop capability and foster collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement within the Cape Town team.
• Mentor and develop people and strengthen cross-regional relationships for long-term growth.

Skills

Project management

Team leadership

Communication

Time management

Commercial acumen

Interpersonal skills

Leadership & accountability

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Client focus

Commitment

Education

Bachelors in Civil Engineering

Master of Science/Engineering

Professional Engineer with ECSAi

Chartered or professional member (CPEng/RPEQ)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced Principal Water Infrastructure Engineer to lead and grow our Cape Town Water Infrastructure team while supporting the delivery of projects across the North Queensland and Northern Territory (NQNT) region in Australia. As the team leader, you will be responsible for developing a high-performing engineering team that operates as an integrated extension of the Australian Water Infrastructure business.

The role combines technical leadership, project delivery oversight, and people management. Working closely with Australian project managers and technical leads, you will coordinate the delivery of engineering services across a range of water and wastewater infrastructure projects, ensuring high-quality outcomes, effective resource management, and adherence to project, safety, and quality requirements.

A key focus of the position is building capability and fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the Cape Town team. The successful candidate will be a recognised technical leader with a passion for mentoring and developing people, strengthening cross-regional relationships, and supporting the long-term growth and success of both the Cape Town delivery team and the NQNT Water Infrastructure business.

Behaviours to Demonstrate

DEVELOP YOURSELF + OTHERS

• Leads by example
• Creates an inclusive work environment based on trust and respect. Coaches to develop and maximise strengths of team members
• Bias to listen and communicate
• Provides timely, honest feedback regularly to promote learning, development and improved results. Listens to learn.
• Safety and integrity always
• Ensures team operates with high standards of integrity. Makes safety a priority.

BE CLIENT- FOCUSED

• Collaborative
• Operates in a manner that improves, optimizes the company by removing silos. Compels teams to cooperate with a unity of purpose.
• Innovative
• Executes new and creative solutions that supports continuous improvement and advances internal/external client’s objectives.
• Client-focused
• Identifies opportunities for long-term relationship with clients by anticipating cross-functional solutions and other opportunities.

DELIVER RESULTS

• Demands excellence
• Works through ambiguity to drive performance. Sets standards and delivers high-quality work.
• Accountable
• Aligns resources to critical business needs and delegates where appropriate, escalates issues as necessary to senior leadership to impact results. Ensures decisions are implemented, evaluated and takes accountability for results.
• Makes fact-based decisions
• Seeks out factual information and assesses risk to make the best possible decision.
• Leads change
• Positively embraces change and acts as a role model for others

Skills

• Experience in managing complex projects and meeting delivery requirements
• Experience in successfully leading project teams
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Effective time management and organisational skills
• Commercial acumen, and the ability to develop a strong client base
• Strong team leader with excellent interpersonal skills, who works with and supports staff
• An effective leader with tenacity and drive to achieve outstanding results
• High level attention to detail and accuracy
• Collaborative; willing to share knowledge, experience, ideas and expertise for the betterment of group and self
• Diligent and able to work consistently to deadlines under tight time frames
• High-level problem-solving skills and judgement capability
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Client focused (both internal and external clients)
• A strong sense of commitment, a willingness to learn and a desire to work in a dynamic deadline driven team environment

Knowledge

• Able to use all Microsoft Office packages
• Knowledge of the market for consulting services
• Knowledge of applicable Australian codes and standards.

Essential Performance Criteria

• Increase revenue in the area/business including margins
• Grow the size of the team
• Develop the team

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited University
• Master of Science / Engineering, in relevant discipline
• Professionally registered as an Engineer with ECSAi
• 12+ years of relevant experience after obtainment of Qualification
• Chartered or professional member of relevant professional body (or eligible for registration / chartered status CPEng / RPEQ with Engineers Australia and Board of Professional Engineers Queensland).
• Proven experience in water and/or wastewater projects within consulting and design environments

Additional Information

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

At AECOM, our Freedom to Grow philosophy supports flexibility and balance to help our people thrive. As part of this approach, we ask all hybrid employees to work from an AECOM office at least three days per week.

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, and 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.