Principal Engineer - Water, Hydraulics and Drainage

Company Description

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer – Water, Hydraulics and Drainage to join our Enterprise Capabilities Design Center in Bogotá D.C. The selected candidate will lead the hydraulic modelling and design of complex wastewater, stormwater, and urban drainage systems for a diverse range of infrastructure projects. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong expertise in hydraulic modelling using InfoWorks ICM, network design, flood mitigation, and CSO spill reduction, while collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams and Lead Offices across different regions. This role requires a high level of technical leadership, project management, and stakeholder engagement to deliver innovative, high-quality, and sustainable water infrastructure solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end hydraulic modelling using InfoWorks ICM for wastewater and stormwater networks, including model build, calibration/verification, scenario testing, and results interpretation.
• Model and assess CSOs, pump stations, and treatment works; develop and evaluate CSO spill reduction programs and flood mitigation schemes.
• Deliver hydraulic design of foul sewer, storm sewer, and urban drainage networks, translating model outputs into constructible solutions and clear deliverables.
• Define modelling strategies, data requirements, and QA/QC plans; ensure compliance with AECOM’s quality standards and applicable client/industry guidelines.
• Coordinate effectively with Lead Offices and multidisciplinary teams across time zones, ensuring aligned scope, interfaces, and delivery milestones.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers; conduct technical reviews and maintain high standards of technical excellence and consistency.
• Manage work packages, schedules, and budgets independently; proactively identify risks and implement mitigation to achieve on-time, on-quality delivery.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders to communicate methodologies, findings, and recommendations; support value engineering and optioneering.
• Prepare technical reports, drawings, specifications, and digital assets; ensure robust data management, traceability, and reproducibility of analyses.
• Support bid/estimate inputs, level-of-effort planning, and continuous improvement of tools, templates, and modelling best practices.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline (e.g., Environmental, Water Resources).
• 6+ years of experience in hydraulic modelling and design of foul sewer, storm sewer, and urban drainage networks with strong proficiency in InfoWorks ICM.
• Demonstrated experience in model build and verification, CSO system modelling, pump station and treatment works assessment, and flood risk/mitigation analysis.
• Proven ability to lead work packages, coordinate with distributed design teams, and deliver to defined scope, schedule, and quality standards.
• Strong understanding of hydrology and hydraulics principles, network design standards, and asset performance assessment.
• Proficiency with complementary tools such as GIS, AutoCAD/Civil 3D (or equivalent), and data handling for model input/output management.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
  Commitment to structured QA/QC, health and safety, and data governance.
• Intermediate conversational English (B2–C1)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Civil/Water Resources Engineering or related field.
• Professional registration (e.g., CEng, PE, P.Eng., CPEng) or on track to charter/licensure.
• Experience delivering stormwater and wastewater modelling projects across multiple regions, including:
• UK & Ireland (e.g., Sewers for Adoption/Design and Construction Guidance, UKWIR/CIRIA practices, CSO compliance considerations).
• United States (e.g., EPA/WEF guidance, local/state drainage criteria, urban drainage design).
• Middle East (e.g., municipal drainage standards, arid hydraulics considerations).
• ANZ (e.g., WSUD, regional design guides and codes).
• Experience with advanced capabilities in InfoWorks ICM such as RTC, 2D overland flow integration, risk-based optioneering, and CSO event analytics.
• Working knowledge of complementary tools (e.g., SWMM/XP/PCSWMM, HEC-HMS/HEC-RAS, MicroDrainage/InfoDrainage, Python/SQL for data workflows).
• Evidence of team leadership, staff mentoring, and technical governance across complex, multi-office programs.
• Track record of client-facing delivery, value engineering, and presenting complex modelling outputs to technical and non-technical audiences.

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.