Principal Engineer - Mechanical, Data Centers

AECOM is seeking a Principal Engineer - Mechanical, Data Centers to be based in South Africa's Enterprise Capabilities office in Cape Town. This position will support a team locally based in South Africa and Global Teams. As a part of AECOM's culture, it offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement which accommodates both office and out-of-office work schedules.

About Enterprise Capabilities

Fundamental to our Think and Act Globally strategy and digital adoption, Enterprise Capabilities (EC) is AECOM’s primary vehicle for workshare. Operating across geographic boundaries and time-zones, EC partners with regional and Global Business Line project teams to provide technical expertise, accelerate delivery and keep AECOM competitive in the industry.

With a team of over 3000 technical professionals located across nine countries and remote technical anchors, EC teams are trusted to deliver high-quality, specialist services that help to fill capability gaps, resourcing needs and technical constraints on projects of all scopes and sizes.

Start here. Grow here.

Here is what you will be doing:

The Principal Engineer is a senior technical resource and serves as the technical advisor for the team. Plans works, provides technical reviews and quality management. Shares technical expertise and experience with others in the company via internal technical communication and presentations. Responsible for the development of high-quality design outputs. Able to do hands-on design.

Technical Delivery Management:

• May act as a line manager and should be able to mentor, monitor timekeeping and carry out performance reviews, providing feedback on allocated technical staff.

• Plays an active role in the technical development of the allocated team. Acts in a supporting role to the Team Leader/ Manager/ Associate Director /Director by delegating work and directing less experienced staff to complete assigned projects' technical tasks.

• Able to monitor and track the budget for specific tasks within the project.

Technical Excellence:

• Prepares technical specification sections and completes feasibility studies and is able to add input and value to designs.

• Performs quality control reviews of design calculations and drawings following policies and procedures and serves as Lead Verifier, confirming that the technical approach satisfies the client scope of services and expectations.

• Provides specialised input to studies and design within their specific area of expertise.

• Contributes as an in-house expert on specific technologies or processes.

• Develops solutions to complex and challenging issues using engineering methodologies to define new procedures when needed.

• Independently evaluates, selects, and applies standard industry techniques to execute work assignments.

• Identifies and develops new processes that lead to improved efficiency or work quality.

• Engages with project technical teams within a field of expertise to confirm project approach and review deliverables within budget and scope.

• Liaises with authorities to obtain permits and approvals and to discuss technical advances.

• Resolves technical issues concerning conflicting requirements or complex coordination.

• Develops construction cost estimates and estimates of technical effort/man-hours for projects.

• Should support the design team with design tasks and able to do hands-on design when required.

• Supports the design team on technically complex and challenging projects and brings innovation into the design.

• Assisting with Project Bids.

• Lead Verification

Project Management:

• Act as Project Manager on small to medium size discipline-specific projects.

• Has an excellent understanding of project delivery requirements and is well versed with AECOM’s project delivery procedures.

• Should be well versed in the use of Earned Value Management to assess the progress of design against budget.

Client Relationship Management:

• Supports business development and selling initiatives to expand work assignments, including managing client relationships and expectations.

• Assists with proposals and participates in the development of bids and technical write-up for proposals.

• Leads communication with clients to discuss work scope, requests information to support project execution and receives client comments on draft work products.

• Presents to clients, senior leadership and other project stakeholders to demonstrate progress and clearly explains design principles.

Interdisciplinary Coordination:

• Coordinate with the other disciplines to ensure there are no design gaps and provide fully coordinated design deliverables.

• Provides support of the construction supervision teams.

Here is what we are looking for:

• Bachelor of Science or Engineering from an accredited University

• 12 + years' experience within the built environment after obtainment of undergrad

• Professionally registered as an Engineer with ECSA

• Experience in all three of the main mechanical engineering disciplines (HVAC, Wet Services & Fire) will be advantageous

At AECOM, you will have freedom to grow in a world of opportunity

At AECOM, our Freedom to Grow philosophy supports flexibility and balance to help our people thrive. As part of this approach, we ask all hybrid employees to work from an AECOM office at least three days per week.

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.