Principal Engineer - Water Supply Network Modelling

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Job Description

Key responsibilities

Hands-on technical delivery

• Lead and personally deliver water distribution model build, calibration, verification and maintenance projects, from asset audit through to final calibrated and peaked model submission.

• Own the full technical workflow: field test planning, data cleansing, demand analysis, total head graphs, flow and reservoir balances, flow, pressure and dynamic calibration, model peaking and scenario development.

• Undertake network capacity, growth and development impact assessments, zonal analysis, DMA and pressure managed area design, and level-of-service assessment against client criteria.

• Develop and appraise engineering options — pipe upsizing, rezoning, new transmission mains, storage, booster and pump upgrades, pressure control — and make evidence-based recommendations to clients.

• Undertake fire flow and firefighting supply assessments in line with the applicable national code.

• Lead rehabilitation, mains flushing and asset renewal studies as these services are introduced, including validating continuity of supply to downstream customers during works.

Team leadership

• Act as line manager for the Philippines water supply modelling team, including objective setting, performance review and progression recommendations. Final approval on progression and reward sits with the Discipline Lead.

• Set and maintain the technical standard for the team, and act as the senior technical authority on modelling method and engineering judgement.

• Allocate work across the team against programme, capability and development need, and manage capacity across concurrent commissions.

• Provide technical direction, coaching and structured development to Senior Engineers, Engineers and graduate modellers, and support the defined progression framework from routine assessment work into independent modelling workstreams.

• Support recruitment: technical assessment of candidates, interview panels, onboarding and technical induction as the team scales.

• Establish standard workflows, checklists, model user manuals and technical documentation for the team.

Quality, assurance and technical governance

• Act as internal technical checker, applying client QA/QC specifications and modelling standards before any deliverable leaves the team.

• Hold delegated technical sign-off for the Philippines team’s deliverables within the agreed scope, escalating scope, criteria or commercial changes to the Discipline Lead.

• Operate the delegated-authority framework for the team’s assessment work, including competency sign-off for Engineers and second-party checking of non-standard cases.

• Identify and report data gaps, GIS anomalies and model confidence limitations, and document assumptions and engineering judgement transparently.

• Support external project audits and maintain project records to audit and governance standards.

Client and project

• Act as the primary technical point of contact between the Philippines team and the lead offices in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

• Attend client progress calls, technical workshops and review meetings, and present modelling findings and proposed solutions directly to client engineers and asset planners.

• Manage project programme, budget, resourcing and deliverable control across concurrent modelling commissions.

Qualifications

• Typically 10 or more years of experience in water supply or water distribution network hydraulic modelling.

• Experience delivering water utility projects within one or more international markets. Exposure to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand water sectors is preferred but not essential. Candidates with strong technical leadership and transferable experience from comparable water, utility, or infrastructure environments will also be considered.

• Demonstrable hands-on delivery of full model build and calibration lifecycles for potable water distribution networks — not model running or data support alone.

• Strong hydraulic fundamentals: headloss and pressure performance, pump and system curve behaviour, storage and reservoir balance, calibration logic, and the ability to judge whether a model is fit for the decision being asked of it.

• Proven competence in a recognised network modelling platform, evidenced by delivered projects.

• Experience acting as an internal checker or technical reviewer against a formal QA/QC specification.

• Experience leading a delivery team — allocating work, developing engineers, coordinating with a remote lead office, and managing programme, budget and resource.

• Direct client-facing experience: technical workshops, progress meetings, presentation of findings and handling of technical queries.

• Strong technical writing — asset audit reports, technical memoranda, model user manuals and option appraisals.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental & Sanitary or Water Resources Engineering.

Must be amenable to work in a fixed night shift schedule and 3 days onsite per week. 

Desirable experience

• Prior use of InfoWorks WS Pro or Synergi Water, which are the platforms most used across our current client base.

• Familiarity with water utility standards and processes from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, although this is not mandatory.

• Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Water Resources or Hydraulics.

• Chartered or working towards chartership or registration (PICE, MICE, CIWEM / C.WEM or equivalent).

• Exposure to wastewater and urban drainage modelling alongside water supply.

• Surge analysis, pressure management and leakage reduction scheme design.

• Experience mobilising or scaling a new delivery team or offshore capability.

• Familiarity with North American water standards — relevant to a possible later phase of the team’s scope, but not required for this role.

Software

Core platforms in use: InfoWorks WS Pro, Synergi Water, InfoWater Pro, WaterGEMS, EPANET, ArcGIS and QGIS.

Also encountered: AQUIS, InfoAsset, MapInfo Professional, AutoCAD

Additional Information

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.