Principal Mechanical Engineer, Water

Principal Mechanical Engineer, Water Sector

• Full-time
• State/Province:
  Bristol, City of
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Infrastructure and Environment UK Limited
• Business Line:
  Water
• Work Location Model:
  Hybrid
• Operating Group:
  International
• Primary
  
  Location:
  
  UK - Bristol, 3 Rivergate

Are you ready to shape the future of water infrastructure? We’re looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our growing South West and Wales Water Solutions team, with flexibility to be based out of one of our South West (Exeter, Bristol & Cardiff).

In this role, you’ll play a key part in delivering multi-billion-pound capital programmes across the UK water sector, contributing to projects ranging from small rural sites to complex, multi-million-pound infrastructure and non‑infrastructure schemes in both water and wastewater. These long‑term frameworks extend through AMP8 and AMP9, offering security, variety, and the opportunity to make a real impact in shaping sustainable water solutions.

• Wessex Water – Capital Delivery Partner Framework (Lot 3 – Multi‑Discipline Engineering Design)
• Southern Water – £3.7 billion Capital Delivery Programme (Lot 2 – Design Consultants)
• Strategic Delivery Partner (SDP) Frameworks:
  Supporting Tier 1 Contractors on Lot 1:
  Non‑infrastructure water projects, Lot 2:
  Non‑infrastructure wastewater projects
• Low Complexity Delivery Route & SDP Lot 3 Infrastructure Frameworks:
  Partnering exclusively with Tier 1 Contractors to deliver high‑quality wastewater infrastructure projects.

• 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.

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering with Chartered Engineer status (or working towards it) through a recognised institution like IMechE.
• Proven expertise in pump station design, piping design, valve selection, hydraulics, 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.

• Opportunity to work on multi‑disciplinary projects across the UK and Ireland.
• Flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work‑life balance that suits your lifestyle.
• Career development opportunities, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.

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 Reaso 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!

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