Associate Director - Plumbing Engineering, Data Centers

Job Description

AECOM's Enterprise Capabilities is seeking an experienced and bilingual Associate Director – Plumbing Engineering (Data Centers) to join our Plumbing Engineering team in Medellin, Colombia. This role will be pivotal in designing fire plumbing systems, particularly for Data Centers.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead design for domestic cold/hot water, sanitary, vent, stormwater, roof drainage, and specialty/process systems.
• Produce basis-of-design, load calculations, pump/tank sizing, water hammer control, equipment selection, specifications, P&IDs, and coordinated Revit models.
• Apply IPC/UPC or client-specified plumbing codes and applicable standards; integrate cross-discipline and site utility constraints.
• Develop redundancy and maintainability strategies.
• Coordinate with architectural, structural, electrical, mechanical, and fire disciplines to eliminate clashes and ensure maintainable layouts.
• Lead QA/QC and design reviews; manage RFIs, submittals, and technical clarifications during procurement and construction.
• Support commissioning, start-up, flushing/disinfection, testing, and turnover documentation; assist with O&M package content.
• Standardize details, specifications, calculation templates, and model content; drive continuous improvement and digital workflows.
• Manage scope, schedule, cost, and risk; contribute to proposals, resourcing plans, and multi-site delivery strategies.
• Mentor and develop engineers/designers; promote safety, quality, and information management best practices.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Public Health, Sanitary, or related engineering discipline.
• 8+ years of plumbing/process utility design experience, including 5+ years on mission-critical/Data Center projects.
• Strong command of IPC/UPC (or equivalent) and local code application; familiarity with water quality, backflow prevention, and cross-connection control.
• Proficiency with Revit MEP; competency with hydraulic modeling tools.
• Demonstrated leadership in design delivery (scope/schedule/budget) and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Strong client-facing communication skills; ability to lead technical decisions and design reviews.
• Bilingual fluency in Spanish and English (written and spoken).

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Hydraulics/Water Resources Engineering, Sanitation, Public Health or related issues.
• Professional licensure in Colombia and/or international credential (e.g., CPD, PE or equivalent).
• Deep Data Center experience with process water systems, water reuse, leak detection, reliability-centered design, and maintainability planning.
• Experience with BIM coordination tools (Navisworks, BIM 360/ACC) and model-based QA/QC workflows.
• Commissioning/start-up leadership, including sanitation, flushing, pressure testing, and robust turnover documentation.
• Experience with program-standard design content, modularization/prefabrication, and multi-site deployment.

Additional Information

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Sponsorship for Colombia work authorization is not available for this position, now or in the future.

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.