Associate Director - Civil Engineer, Water Infrastructure

Job Description

Are you ready to lead a team of talented engineers delivering Scotland’s next generation of water infrastructure?

Join our dynamic and multidisciplinary Water Team as an Associate Director Civil Engineer in our rapidly growing Edinburgh office – whilst also taking advantage of our flexible hybrid working model. At AECOM, we’re at the forefront of innovation, delivering an exceptional portfolio of water programmes and projects through long-term partnerships with key clients. These include local government, contractors, charities and water companies. In this role, you will be one of the lead technical team members supporting the junior members of the team deliver top quality projects.

This position offers an unparalleled opportunity to lead a talented, diverse team committed to innovation and efficiency in Edinburgh. The teams in Edinburgh have a diverse set of skills and we pride ourselves in being able to deliver large scale multidiscipline projects directly from the team supported by the wider AECOM groups.

Our teams in Edinburgh have a collaborative approach to working both locally and more broadly developing our relationships with the Energy, Environmental and Transportation sectors. We are a dynamic team looking to grow and support the teams in Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as across the UK.

In addition, AECOM has recently been named preferred bidder for one of two Primary Designers for Scottish Water’s SR27 Enterprise. This transformational, multi-billion-pound programme is the highest value venture ever put into place by Scottish Water and will reshape Scotland’s water and wastewater infrastructure from 2027 to 2033 (with potential to extend for another 6 years). AECOM will be at the heart of this ground-breaking delivery model, shaping design excellence at scale and working with Scottish Water and our Enterprise Partners to help drive outcomes that deliver value for customers in Scotland and go beyond net zero.

Some example current projects getting delivered out of Edinburgh include:

• Flood Protection Schemes and Surface Water Management plans looking to take opportunities to provide flood resilience to communities through to detailed design and construction.
• Asset Inspections for several key clients such as SEPA.
• Programme of reservoir works to support Scottish Water and the DV2 programmes.
• Scottish Canals Principal Inspections.
• Northern Lighthouse Board framework and associated works.
• River Restoration works.

Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Project Leadership
   • Lead a team of Engineers in the Edinburgh office – working collaboratively alongside the coastal, flood risk and structures teams.
   • Lead project teams to deliver high-quality outcomes that meet client expectations.
   • Manage design scope to ensure projects are delivered within budget and programme constraints.
2. Technical Expertise
   • Demonstrate strong technical understanding and maintain awareness of current industry practices and innovations.
   • Lead the quality assurance process for project deliverables, ensuring compliance with standards and client requirements.
   • Provide Lead Verification on the technical approach and have final sign off of project/technical deliverables.
3. Team Development
   • Develop and mentor junior staff, providing guidance and support to help them reach their full potential.
   • Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages professional growth.
4. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
   • Lead stakeholder engagement across projects, working closely with clients, delivery teams and external partners to ensure successful outcomes
5. Health & Safety Leadership
   • Possess a strong knowledge of current health and safety legislation.
   • Actively embed a safety-first culture within your area of responsibility, ensuring compliance and promoting best practices.

Enjoy the Perks.

You’ll thrive in an inclusive and forward-thinking environment where your contributions are valued - and let's not forget the perks! At AECOM, you'll enjoy a range of core benefits designed to support your future and well-being, and flexible benefits you can customise to suit your lifestyle. Take advantage of our technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days to accelerate your career development, and utilise our flexible hybrid working model to create a healthy work-life balance. We recognise that everyone’s circumstances are different, so we’re more than happy to discuss part-time or flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

Ready to push the limits of what’s possible?

Here’s what we’re looking for:

1. Education Base – BEng or MEng Civil Engineering Degree (or suitable equivalent).  
2. Professional Accreditation – Be professionally qualified (ICE, CIWEM etc.) or have equivalent experience.
3. Technical Knowledge – Have experience working within the water, wastewater and/or flood risk management sector leading project teams and managing design scope.
4. Project Management – have experience in client facing project management to support the efficient running of projects and programmes. Have a track record in delivering strong commercial performances. Have a good understanding of Construction and professional services contracts.
5. People Management – have experience in running teams internally from a people and line management perspective.

Additional Information

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 [email protected]. At AECOM, we value everyone's unique contributions and perspectives.

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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 a Disability Confident Employer 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 address [email protected]  if you would like to apply through the Disability Confident Interview Scheme.

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