Principal Geotechnical Engineering Lead

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

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 a Principal Geotechnical Engineering Lead to advance the design, analysis, and delivery of complex dam and hydropower projects. In this role, you’ll provide high-level technical leadership, guiding multidisciplinary teams through some of the region’s most significant water infrastructure challenges. You will set the standard for innovation, quality, and safety in dam engineering—helping shape resilient systems that safeguard communities and strengthen water resources for generations to come.

This position is ideal for an engineer recognized as a technical authority in dam design and rehabilitation, hydropower systems, and related geotechnical and hydraulic structures. You’ll lead from the front—solving sophisticated technical problems, driving engineering best practices, and serving as a trusted expert for clients and project teams alike.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical direction and oversight for major dams and hydropower projects, including planning, design, analysis, and review of complex structures.
• Serve as a technical advisor and subject matter expert on dam safety, hydrology, hydraulics, structural, and geotechnical aspects of large-scale water infrastructure.
• Lead technical reviews and quality assurance processes to ensure excellence in engineering deliverables, compliance with regulatory standards, and alignment with AECOM’s global technical standards.
• Guide and mentor engineers and technical specialists, fostering a culture of learning, innovation, and precision.
• Develop and implement advanced analytical methods, modeling, and design tools to enhance performance and resilience of dam and hydropower systems.
• Collaborate with technical peers and practice leaders across AECOM to advance research, innovation, and technical thought leadership within the dams and hydropower community.
• Represent AECOM in technical forums, professional societies, and industry panels, sharing insights and advancing the practice of dam engineering.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree + 10 years of experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's (MS) or Doctorate (PhD) in Engineering. Civil, Structural, Geotechnical, or a related field is preferred.
• Extensive and proven knowledge of dams and hydropower markets, trends, and clients.
• 15+ years dams and hydropower industry technical and leadership experience.
• 5 years of experience leading projects, client accounts, or business development initiatives.
• Strong reputation in the industry through participation in USSD, ASDSO, or related industry organizations.
• Ability to broad scan other water-related end markets and to assist in strategy development.
• Agile response to fast paced, complex work environment and organizational change.
• Proven ability to deliver projects and foster collaboration across geographies, disciplines, and business lines.

Additional Information

• Project/client related travel may be required.  
• Sponsorship is not offered for this position now or in the future.

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