Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water

Job Description

Shape the future of water infrastructure across New Zealand

AECOM is looking for a seasoned Mechanical Engineer to join our growing Water business in Christchurch.

In this role, you'll help deliver the infrastructure that communities rely on every day, from major pump stations and water networks through to nationally significant dam and resilience projects. You'll bring deep mechanical engineering expertise while taking on greater technical leadership, influencing project direction, mentoring engineers, and partnering closely with clients to solve some of the industry's most complex challenges.

This is an opportunity to step beyond pure design delivery and play a key role in shaping projects and driving innovation across the water sector.

What you'll be doing

• Leading the mechanical design and delivery of complex water, wastewater and dam infrastructure projects.
• Providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams, helping to bring together civil, structural, electrical and process engineering solutions.
• Solving challenging engineering problems involving hydraulics, pump stations, mechanical infrastructure, pipelines and valves.
• Guiding project teams through design development, technical reviews and quality assurance processes.
• Building trusted relationships with clients and stakeholders, becoming a key advisor on critical infrastructure projects.
• Supporting and mentoring engineers, sharing your expertise and helping develop future technical leaders.
• Contributing to bids, proposals and project opportunities that help grow our Water business.
• Championing innovative and practical engineering solutions that create lasting value for our clients and communities.

Qualifications

What you'll bring

You're an experienced Mechanical Engineer who enjoys tackling technically challenging projects and collaborating with great people. You're comfortable leading design packages, mentoring others, and working directly with clients, while remaining hands-on with the engineering that inspires you.

You'll likely bring:

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Around 10+ years of experience delivering water, wastewater, hydraulic or dam infrastructure projects.
• Strong experience with pump stations, pipelines, valves, hydraulic systems and associated mechanical infrastructure.
• Experience leading technical workstreams and coordinating multidisciplinary project teams.
• Well-developed communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• A passion for mentoring and developing others.
• CPEng status, or a clear pathway towards chartership.

Additional Information

You'll join a team that's delivering some of New Zealand's most significant water infrastructure projects, backed by the resources, technical experts and project opportunities of a truly global organisation.

Whether it's improving network resilience, supporting population growth, strengthening critical infrastructure or helping communities adapt to future challenges, the work you do here will make a real and lasting impact.

At AECOM, you'll have the freedom to grow your career, the support of world-class technical specialists, and the opportunity to help shape a better future for our communities.

Ready to make your mark?

If you're looking for a role that combines technical challenge, project influence and genuine career progression, we'd love to hear from you.

Bring your expertise. Lead meaningful projects. Help deliver a better world.

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.