Principal Water Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Principal Water Design Manager

Company: AECOM

Location: Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Job Type: Full-time

Category: Engineering & Infrastructure Operations

Date Posted: 2026-04-27T07:04:49.919

Experience Level: 10+ Years

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary water infrastructure design projects from concept through to construction, ensuring successful delivery and technical excellence.

• Manage project scope, program, resources, and budgets, while ensuring all technical outputs meet quality, time, and compliance requirements.

• Provide robust design leadership across all engineering disciplines, overseeing project execution from initial concept development through to final construction phases.

• Foster strong collaborative relationships with clients, project managers, and internal teams to effectively resolve issues and align technical and commercial outcomes.

• Contribute to bid development, methodology refinement, and team mentoring, promoting high-performance practices within the Water Infrastructure group.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is categorized under Engineering & Infrastructure Operations due to its focus on managing the design and delivery of water infrastructure projects, which involves significant operational oversight, process management, and cross-functional coordination typical of senior operations roles within engineering consultancies. The emphasis on "design delivery partnerships" and "design and construct solutions" further solidifies its operational management aspect.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design Leadership & Coordination: Lead and coordinate the multidisciplinary design of water and wastewater treatment plants, civil infrastructure, and defence sector projects, ensuring alignment with client requirements and AECOM's standards.

• Project Lifecycle Management: Oversee the entire project lifecycle for design elements, from initial concept studies and planning through to detailed design delivery, ensuring constructability and operational efficiency.

• Scope, Schedule, and Budget Control: Manage project scope, program timelines, resource allocation, and financial budgets, ensuring all design outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to stringent quality and compliance standards.

• Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: Collaborate effectively with internal project managers, multidisciplinary engineering teams, clients, contractors, and external stakeholders to resolve design challenges, mitigate risks, and ensure seamless integration of project components.

• Technical Excellence & Innovation: Drive technical excellence in water infrastructure design, incorporating sustainable outcomes, innovative solutions, and best practices in areas such as pipes, pumps, and treatment systems.

• Bid & Business Development Support: Contribute to the development of proposals, methodologies, and technical solutions for new project bids, supporting business development efforts within the Australian and New Zealand Water business.

• Team Mentoring & Development: Mentor and guide junior engineers and design teams, fostering a culture of continuous learning, high performance, and professional development within the Water Infrastructure group.

• Risk Management & Issue Resolution: Proactively identify and manage design-related risks, and effectively resolve technical and commercial issues that arise during the design and pre-construction phases.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities have been expanded to detail the specific operational aspects of design management within an infrastructure context, including lifecycle management, risk mitigation, and business development support, which are critical for a Principal-level role.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• Demonstrated track record in delivering complex water infrastructure projects on time, within budget, and to outstanding quality standards.

• Proven experience in design management, encompassing the planning, design, execution, and oversight of major infrastructure projects.

• Extensive experience in water infrastructure, specifically with pipes, pumps, or treatment systems, and a strong understanding of the WA water infrastructure client landscape.

Required Skills:

• Design Management: Proficient in leading and managing the entire design process for water infrastructure projects.

• Water Infrastructure Expertise: Deep understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, pipe networks, pumping systems, and related civil infrastructure.

• Project Delivery Excellence: Proven ability to deliver projects successfully against scope, schedule, budget, and quality targets.

• Multidisciplinary Team Leadership: Skill in coordinating and directing diverse engineering teams (civil, mechanical, electrical, process, etc.).

• Financial Acumen: Strong capabilities in managing project budgets, forecasting costs, and ensuring financial control.

• Stakeholder Management: Excellent ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with clients, contractors, regulatory bodies, and internal teams.

• Technical Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensuring designs meet all relevant Australian standards, regulations, and client specifications.

• Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Identifying potential design risks and developing effective mitigation strategies.

• Contract & Commercial Awareness: Understanding of contract types (design-build, PPPs) and commercial implications of design decisions.

• Mentoring & Team Development: Ability to guide and develop junior engineering and design staff.

Preferred Skills:

• WA Water Sector Experience: Specific knowledge of key water infrastructure clients and projects within Western Australia.

• Design-Build Project Experience: Familiarity with the nuances and demands of design and construct delivery models.

• Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Knowledge: Understanding of PPP frameworks and their impact on design management.

• Sustainability & Environmental Design: Experience in incorporating sustainable design principles and achieving environmental outcomes.

• Advanced Project Management Software: Proficiency with project management and design coordination tools.

📝 Enhancement Note: Qualifications have been detailed to reflect a Principal-level role in a specialized engineering field, emphasizing both technical depth and leadership/management competencies. Preferred skills highlight specific regional and project delivery model experience relevant to the role's success.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Project Delivery Case Studies: Showcase a portfolio of successfully delivered water infrastructure projects, highlighting your role in managing design and ensuring successful outcomes against key metrics (time, budget, quality).

• Design Management Process Documentation: Include examples of process flows or documentation illustrating your approach to managing design phases, from concept to construction, including risk management and quality assurance protocols.

• System Integration Examples: Demonstrate your ability to understand and manage the integration of complex water systems (e.g., treatment processes, pumping stations, pipe networks) and how you ensure seamless coordination across disciplines.

• Stakeholder Collaboration Evidence: Provide examples or descriptions of how you have effectively managed diverse stakeholder relationships, resolved conflicts, and achieved alignment on technical and commercial objectives.

• Budget & Resource Management: Illustrate your capabilities in managing project budgets, forecasting, and resource allocation through specific project examples or process descriptions.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing and optimizing workflows for multidisciplinary design processes, including clear phase gates, review cycles, and approval processes.

• Implementation & Automation: Examples of how you have overseen the implementation of design solutions and potentially leveraged technology or automation to improve efficiency or accuracy in the design phase.

• Performance Analysis & Reporting: Demonstrate how you track and report on design performance, including key metrics related to quality, timeliness, and budget adherence, and how this data informs future project planning.

📝 Enhancement Note: Portfolio requirements are tailored to a Principal Design Manager role, focusing on showcasing leadership in managing complex projects, demonstrating process ownership, and highlighting the ability to integrate technical and commercial aspects of design delivery.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Flexible Work Arrangements: Options for alternative start/finish times, part-time work, job-sharing, and hybrid work models to support work-life balance.

• Additional Annual Leave: Opportunity to purchase up to 6 weeks of additional annual leave per year.

• Volunteer and Representation Leave: Paid leave for volunteering activities or representation in professional bodies.

• Flexible Public Holidays: Ability to swap standard public holidays for others that better suit personal needs.

• Global Well-being Program: Access to a comprehensive program focused on employee health and well-being.

• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuous learning, training, and career advancement within a global organization.

• Retirement Savings Plan: Standard superannuation contributions as per Australian regulations.

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential counseling and support services.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours are typically 40 hours per week. AECOM offers flexibility with alternative start/finish times and hybrid work arrangements, allowing for adaptability in managing design workloads and personal commitments.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary range is estimated based on the role's seniority, location (Perth, Australia), industry (Engineering/Infrastructure), and experience level (10+ years), referencing typical compensation for similar Principal-level roles in Australian engineering consultancies. Benefits are listed as provided in the job description and enhanced with relevant context for operations professionals.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Infrastructure Consulting and Engineering Services. AECOM operates globally, providing advisory, planning, design, engineering, program, and construction management services across transportation, buildings, water, new energy, and the environment sectors.

Company Size: AECOM is a Fortune 500 company, indicating a large, publicly traded organization with thousands of employees worldwide. This size suggests a structured environment with established processes, extensive resources, and a broad range of project opportunities.

Founded: AECOM's history traces back over 90 years through its predecessor companies, with the current AECOM name and structure evolving over time. This long history points to a stable, experienced, and reputable organization with deep industry knowledge.

Team Structure:

• Water Infrastructure Group: This role sits within AECOM's dedicated Water Infrastructure group, which is part of the larger Australia and New Zealand Water business.

• Reporting: Likely reports to a Senior Director or General Manager within the Water business, with direct management of project design teams and close collaboration with Project Managers.

• Cross-functional Collaboration: Operates within a highly collaborative environment, working closely with other engineering disciplines (civil, structural, mechanical, electrical), environmental specialists, project management, commercial teams, and external clients and contractors.

Methodology:

• Integrated Project Delivery: AECOM emphasizes working across the entire project lifecycle, from advisory and planning through to design, engineering, program, and construction management, often utilizing design-build and public-private partnership (PPP) models.

• Sustainable Outcomes: A core focus on delivering sustainable solutions that benefit clients and communities, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities into project planning and execution.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: While not explicitly stated for this role, large consultancies like AECOM increasingly leverage data analytics for project planning, risk assessment, and performance monitoring.

• Client-Centric Approach: Prioritizing client needs and objectives, working collaboratively to solve complex challenges and deliver tailored solutions.

Company Website: https://www.aecom.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: Company context is synthesized from the provided description and general knowledge of AECOM as a major global engineering consultancy, highlighting its scale, history, and operational approach relevant to a senior management role.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal. This signifies a senior leadership position, recognized for deep technical expertise, extensive experience, and proven leadership capabilities in managing complex projects and teams. It implies a strategic role with significant influence on project outcomes and business development.

Reporting Structure: Typically reports to a senior executive within the Water business unit (e.g., Director, General Manager) and is responsible for leading multiple project design teams. This level of reporting indicates significant autonomy and accountability.

Operations Impact: The role has a direct impact on AECOM's success by ensuring the technical quality, financial viability, and timely delivery of critical water infrastructure projects. Effective design management contributes to client satisfaction, repeat business, and AECOM's reputation as a trusted infrastructure consultant.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance into broader leadership roles, such as General Manager of a business line, Regional Director, or a specialized technical director position with global reach.

• Strategic Business Development: Opportunity to play a key role in winning major projects, developing client relationships, and shaping AECOM's strategic direction in the water sector.

• Technical Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific areas of water infrastructure or advanced design methodologies, becoming a recognized subject matter expert within AECOM and the industry.

• Mentorship & Talent Development: Opportunity to significantly influence the development of future engineering leaders and contribute to AECOM's talent pipeline.

• Global Mobility: Potential for international assignments or collaboration on global projects, leveraging AECOM's worldwide presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The career analysis focuses on the "Principal" designation, interpreting its implications for responsibility, impact, and future growth within a large, global organization like AECOM, specifically within the context of infrastructure operations and management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: AECOM operates with a "Hybrid" work location model. This means the role is primarily based in the Perth office but allows for a blend of office-based and remote work. The Perth office is located at 58 Mounts Bay Road, suggesting a professional corporate environment.

Office Location(s): The primary location is Perth, Western Australia. AECOM has a global presence, but this specific role is tied to the Australian operations.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Hub: The Perth office likely serves as a hub for collaboration, client meetings, and team-based design work, fostering interaction among multidisciplinary teams.

• Technology Enabled: Expect access to industry-standard design software, project management tools, and communication platforms necessary for effective hybrid and multidisciplinary work.

• Team Interaction: The hybrid model allows for focused individual work and flexible remote collaboration, balanced with essential in-person interactions for strategic planning, team building, and complex problem-solving.

Work Schedule:

• The standard full-time work schedule is approximately 40 hours per week. The hybrid model and flexible start/finish times offer adaptability, allowing operations professionals to manage their workload efficiently while accommodating personal needs and project demands.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment description is based on the "Hybrid" work model and the provided office address, extrapolating the likely setup and collaborative dynamics for a Principal Manager in a corporate engineering setting.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: HR or a Talent Acquisition specialist will review applications to assess suitability against core requirements.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A detailed discussion with the Hiring Manager (likely a senior leader in the Water business) to assess technical expertise, leadership experience, and cultural fit.

• Technical Assessment/Case Study: Potential for a technical assessment or a detailed case study presentation where candidates showcase their approach to managing complex water infrastructure design projects, problem-solving capabilities, and strategic thinking. This is a crucial stage for demonstrating process knowledge and operational oversight.

• Panel Interview: May involve interviews with other senior team members, project directors, or cross-functional leads to evaluate collaboration skills and broader impact.

• Final Offer: Following successful interviews and reference checks.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Project Selection: Choose 3-4 of your most impactful water infrastructure design management projects.

Prioritize those that demonstrate complexity, scale, and your leadership in delivering successful outcomes.

• Structure Your Case Studies: For each project, clearly outline:

  • The Challenge: The client's need, project scope, and any specific technical or commercial complexities.
  • Your Role & Responsibilities: Detail your specific duties as Design Manager, emphasizing leadership, coordination, and decision-making.
  • Your Approach/Methodology: Explain your strategy for design management, risk mitigation, stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance. Highlight any innovative processes or systems you implemented.
  • The Outcome: Quantify the results where possible – on-time delivery, budget adherence, cost savings, client satisfaction, technical achievements, sustainability improvements.

• Highlight Process & Systems: Explicitly discuss the design management processes, systems, and tools you utilized. Explain how you ensured seamless integration across disciplines and managed the project lifecycle effectively.

• Demonstrate Big-Picture Thinking: Showcase your ability to understand how different systems, processes, and stakeholders interconnect, and how you leveraged this understanding to achieve project goals.

• Prepare for Q&A: Be ready to discuss your portfolio in detail, answer questions about your decision-making, and elaborate on any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Challenge Preparation:

• Scenario-Based Questions: Prepare for questions that present hypothetical design management challenges (e.g., scope creep, design clashes, budget overruns, difficult client feedback) and ask how you would address them. Focus on your structured problem-solving approach.

• Leadership & Team Management: Anticipate questions about how you motivate teams, manage performance, resolve conflicts within design teams, and mentor junior staff.

• Technical Acumen: Be ready to discuss specific aspects of water infrastructure design (treatment processes, pipe hydraulics, pump selection) at a high level, demonstrating your foundational understanding.

• AECOM Context: Research AECOM's values, recent projects, and its approach to sustainability and integrated project delivery. Understand how your skills and experience align with their strategic objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section provides detailed, actionable advice for preparing a portfolio and interviewing for a Principal-level design management role, emphasizing the demonstration of process ownership, strategic thinking, and operational leadership.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Design & Engineering Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency with industry-standard CAD platforms such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit (for BIM), and potentially specialized water modeling software.

• BIM (Building Information Modeling): Experience with BIM workflows and platforms is increasingly critical for integrated design and construction management, enabling better clash detection and coordination.

• 3D Design & Visualization Tools: Familiarity with software that allows for advanced visualization and design review.

Project Management & Collaboration Tools:

• Project Management Software: Experience with platforms like Microsoft Project, Primavera P6, Asana, or similar tools for scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for team communication and document sharing.

• Document Management Systems (DMS): Experience with systems like SharePoint, ProjectWise, or other enterprise DMS for organizing and controlling project documentation.

Data Analysis & Reporting Tools:

• Microsoft Excel: Advanced skills for data analysis, financial tracking, and report generation.

• Business Intelligence (BI) Tools: Familiarity with tools like Power BI or Tableau for creating dashboards and visualizing project performance metrics (budget, schedule, quality).

CRM & Integration:

• CRM Systems: While not directly a sales role, understanding how client interactions and project data are managed within a CRM system can be beneficial for business development and client management aspects.

• Integration Platforms: Awareness of how different software systems (e.g., design, project management, financial) integrate to provide a cohesive project data flow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The tools and technology stack are inferred based on the requirements of a Principal Design Manager in a large engineering consultancy, covering design, project management, collaboration, and data analysis essential for managing complex infrastructure projects.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Integrity & Excellence: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all dealings and striving for technical and project delivery excellence.

• Collaboration & Inclusion: Fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all team members feel valued and respected, and where great ideas can emerge from diverse perspectives.

• Sustainability: A commitment to delivering solutions that are environmentally responsible and contribute to long-term community well-being.

• Innovation & Forward-Thinking: Encouraging pioneering mindsets and embracing new technologies and approaches to solve complex infrastructure challenges.

• Client Focus: Dedication to understanding and exceeding client expectations, building strong, long-term relationships.

Collaboration Style:

• Integrated Approach: AECOM promotes a highly integrated approach, where teams work seamlessly across disciplines and project phases, breaking down traditional silos.

• Cross-Functional Synergy: Emphasis on leveraging the expertise of various departments (engineering, environmental, planning, project management) to deliver comprehensive solutions.

• Open Communication: Encouraging transparent and frequent communication among team members, stakeholders, and clients to ensure alignment and facilitate problem-solving.

• Feedback Culture: Valuing constructive feedback as a means of continuous improvement for both individuals and project processes.

📝 Enhancement Note: Team culture and values are inferred from AECOM's stated commitments to diversity, inclusion, sustainability, and their integrated project delivery model, tailored to how these values would manifest in the daily operations of a senior management role.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Managing Complex Interdependencies: Effectively coordinating multiple engineering disciplines, contractors, and stakeholders on large-scale water infrastructure projects, each with their own priorities and constraints.

• Balancing Technical Rigor with Commercial Pressures: Ensuring high-quality, compliant design while adhering to strict project budgets and timelines, often in competitive bidding environments.

• Navigating Evolving Regulatory Landscapes: Staying abreast of and implementing changes in environmental regulations, construction standards, and water management policies in Western Australia.

• Driving Innovation in Traditional Sectors: Introducing and implementing new design technologies and sustainable practices within established water infrastructure frameworks.

• Remote & Hybrid Team Management: Effectively leading and motivating dispersed teams, ensuring consistent performance and collaboration across different work locations.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Design Methodologies & Technologies: Access to training and resources on cutting-edge design software, BIM, digital twins, and advanced water treatment technologies.

• Leadership and Management Skills: Opportunities for executive coaching, leadership development programs, and management training tailored for senior roles.

• Industry Conferences & Networking: Participation in major water industry and engineering conferences to stay current with trends, network with peers, and represent AECOM.

• Sustainability Certifications & Training: Pursuing specialized knowledge and certifications in sustainable infrastructure design and ESG principles.

• Mentorship Programs: Engaging in formal or informal mentorship relationships with senior leaders within AECOM to gain strategic insights and career guidance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges and growth opportunities are identified based on the seniority of the role, the industry (water infrastructure), and the nature of AECOM's operations, focusing on leadership complexities, technological advancements, and professional development pathways.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Operations Strategy: "Describe your approach to managing the design lifecycle for a major water treatment plant project. How do you ensure integration between conceptual design, detailed engineering, and constructability reviews?" Prepare to articulate a structured process, including key milestones, decision points, and stakeholder involvement.

• Stakeholder Management & Collaboration: "How do you handle conflicting priorities between a client's budget constraints and a design team's technical recommendations? Provide an example of a challenging stakeholder situation you resolved." Focus on communication, negotiation, and finding balanced solutions.

• Problem-Solving & Process Improvement: "Imagine a significant design clash is discovered late in the design phase. What steps would you take to resolve it efficiently, minimize impact on schedule and budget, and prevent recurrence?" Demonstrate a methodical problem-solving process and a focus on root cause analysis.

Company & Culture Questions:

• AECOM Alignment: "How do your personal values and professional approach align with AECOM's commitment to sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion?" Research AECOM's stated values and be ready to provide specific examples of how you embody them.

• Team Dynamics: "Describe your leadership style and how you foster a high-performing, collaborative culture within a multidisciplinary design team, especially in a hybrid work environment." Prepare to discuss your approach to motivation, conflict resolution, and team building.

• Impact Measurement: "How do you measure the success of your design management efforts beyond on-time and on-budget delivery? What metrics do you prioritize to demonstrate overall project value and operational efficiency?" Be ready to discuss KPIs related to quality, risk reduction, client satisfaction, and sustainability.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Concise & Impactful: Aim for a 10-15 minute presentation of your key portfolio pieces, leaving ample time for Q&A.

• Focus on Your Role: Clearly articulate your specific contributions and leadership as Design Manager. Avoid simply describing the project; highlight your management actions.

• Quantify Achievements: Use data to demonstrate success wherever possible (e.g., "delivered 10% under budget," "reduced design review time by 15%," "achieved client satisfaction score of 9.5/10").

• Process Visualization: If possible, use simple diagrams or flowcharts to illustrate your design management processes, showing how you ensure integration and efficiency.

• Storytelling: Frame your case studies as compelling narratives that highlight challenges, your strategic approach, and successful resolution.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation advice is specifically tailored to a Principal Design Manager role, focusing on demonstrating strategic thinking, operational leadership, problem-solving skills, and alignment with AECOM's values and project delivery methodologies.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Principal Water Design Manager position:

• Submit your application through the AECOM careers portal via the provided link.

• Portfolio Customization: Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your most relevant experience in water infrastructure design management, project delivery, and stakeholder engagement, using keywords from the job description. Prepare your portfolio to showcase 3-4 key projects that best exemplify your capabilities.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly details your years of experience, specific project types managed (water treatment, pipes, pumps, civil infrastructure), your leadership roles, and quantifiable achievements in scope, budget, and schedule management.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your design management methodology, stakeholder engagement strategies, and problem-solving approaches. Prepare specific examples from your career that demonstrate your leadership and operational oversight.

• Company Research: Familiarize yourself with AECOM's recent projects in Australia, their approach to sustainability, and their company values. Understand their position in the infrastructure consulting market.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.