AECOM
Associate Director, Lead Design Engineer - Water Sector
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Join Our Team: Associate Director - Lead Design Engineer, Water Solutions
Company Description At AECOM, we believe in delivering a better world. As the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, we partner with clients to solve complex challenges—from improving transport and water access to sustaining energy networks.
With global investment in infrastructure accelerating, AECOM’s demand for skilled professionals has never been higher. Join a team of 50,000+ planners, designers, engineers, and scientists who lead transformative projects worldwide.
About the Role
Position: Associate Director – Lead Design Engineer, Water Solutions Location: South East (hybrid model), based in Hampshire Business Unit: Water ** Brief:** Lead a multidisciplinary design team to deliver sustainable water infrastructure solutions, shaping projects from feasibility to full operation.
AECOM partners with pioneering clients like Wessex Water, Thames Water, Welsh Water, and Severn Trent Water, designing projects such as:
- Alderney & Knapp Mill water treatment plants (South West Water)
- Avonmouth Water Recycling Centre (Wessex Water)
- AMP8 treatment works upgrades (Southern Water)
Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership: Drive the design and delivery of complex water/w wastewater projects, managing multidisciplinary teams across all phases (from feasibility to handover, including construction, operations, and asset management).
- Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with clients, contractors, and internal teams to ensure seamless project execution and alignment on innovative solutions.
- Team Development: Mentor junior engineers, shape technical capability, and ensure strong team performance.
- Cultural Contribution: Uplift AECOM’s values—diversity, equity, and sustainability—alongside delivering projects that drive positive impact.
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Additional Opportunities
For those eager to expand their leadership reach:
- Hybrid team leadership for Water business in England & Wales
- Influencing AECOM’s cultural growth and technical ambitions
Why Join AECOM Water?
As part of a dynamic 700-strong team across the UK & Ireland, you’ll:
- Collaborate with top-tier civil, mechanical, electrical, and process engineers
- Work on diverse projects, from concept maturation to large-scale delivery
- Thrive in an inclusive, forward-thinking culture where bold ideas shape the future.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential:
- Proven experience leading multi-disciplinary water/wastewater engineering projects, with expertise in designing treatment solutions and/or infrastructure networks.
- Technical feasibility studies, options appraisal, and multi-stage design experience.
- Degree or equivalent in civil, electrical, mechanical engineering (or equivalent).
- Chartered/Incorporated status (CEng, ICE, CIWEM, or working towards) strongly preferred.
- Relevant experience in supporting water company clients or contractors.
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For Extra Development: If you’re interested in taking on additional leadership responsibility (e.g., managing the UK Water business), flag this in your application.
Work-Life Balance and Growth
We offer: ✔ Hybrid working flexibility to suit individual needs and project demands. ✔ AECOM University for professional training and career progression ✔ Support networks & volunteer initiatives embedding community impact.
We Commit to Inclusivity. At AECOM, we embrace diversity (including neurodiversity) to enrich our technical and creative capacity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and guarantee interviews to candidates with disabilities that meet the role criteria. If you need adjustments during recruitment, please contact [email protected].
Interested? Follow us on LinkedIn or @AECOM to explore more about our projects, people, and purpose.
Come join us and grow collectively.
Located at: UK – Basingstoke, Hampshire Reports to: Water Solutions Director
You’re encouraged to apply today and shape a future of know-how with impact.
AECOM is a Disability Confident Employer. All application details protected per EEO guidelines.
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