Principal Engineer - Mechanical (Controls), Data Centers, Cape Town

Company Description AECOM is seeking a Principal Engineer - Mechanical (Controls), Data Centers to be based in South Africa's Enterprise Capabilities office in Cape Town. This position will support a local team in South Africa and global teams. As part of AECOM's culture, it offers a flexible hybrid work arrangement accommodating both office and out-of-office schedules.

About Enterprise Capabilities Fundamental to the 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 3,000 technical professionals across nine countries and remote anchors, EC teams deliver high-quality specialist services that fill capability gaps, resourcing needs, and technical constraints on projects of all scopes and sizes.

Job Description 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 work, 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 and capable of doing hands‑on design.

Technical Delivery Management

May act as a line manager and should be able to mentor, monitor time‑keeping 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 adds 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 be 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.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science or Engineering from an accredited university.

12+ years’ experience within the built environment after obtaining an undergraduate degree.

Professionally registered as an Engineer with ECSA.

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

Benefits AECOM offers comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of employees, including medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absence, 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.

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.

ReqID: J10150802

Business Line: Building Engineering

Business Group: DCS

Strategic Business Unit: Enterprise Capabilities

Career Area: Engineering

Work Location Model: Hybrid

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