Engineering Director - RO Plant

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The Engineering Director leads the overall engineering strategy and execution for the design, construction, and operation of desalination facilities. This role is focused on ensuring plant efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in producing potable water through desalination technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO) or multi-stage flash (MSF). The Director collaborates with executive leadership to align the plant's goals with long-term water infrastructure strategies and environmental considerations.

Responsibilities: 

• Define and execute the engineering vision and strategy for desalination plant development, ensuring alignment with corporate goals and regional water demands.
• Lead innovation and modernization efforts in desalination technologies, focusing on energy efficiency, cost reduction, and sustainability.
• Develop and manage relationships with government agencies, environmental bodies, and key stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and promote water security initiatives.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of desalination projects, from conceptual design and feasibility studies to detailed engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and operation.
• Ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental sustainability.
• Approve project budgets, schedules, and resource plans, managing risk and resolving high-level project challenges.
• Provide technical oversight and leadership to multidisciplinary engineering teams, including process, civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineers.
• Guide the design and optimization of desalination systems, ensuring maximum efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.
• Review and approve key engineering documents, including design specifications, technical reports, and risk assessments.
• Ensure all designs comply with relevant industry standards and environmental regulations.
• Develop strategies for the long-term operation and maintenance of desalination plants, ensuring sustainable water production and operational excellence.
• Implement predictive maintenance programs to minimize downtime and optimize equipment life, such as membrane performance monitoring and pump maintenance.
• Ensure operational processes comply with local and international water quality and safety standards.
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for senior leadership, clients, and regulatory authorities.
• Represent the organization in industry forums, conferences, and regulatory hearings related to desalination and water management.
• Prepare and present high-level technical and financial reports to stakeholders, including shareholders and government agencies.
• Drive the development and integration of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar or wind power) into desalination processes to reduce the carbon footprint.
• Explore and implement innovative desalination technologies, including hybrid systems, energy recovery devices, and brine management solutions.
• Lead research initiatives to improve desalination efficiency, reduce operational costs, and mitigate environmental impacts such as brine discharge.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing engineering team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
• Promote continuous professional development, training, and knowledge-sharing within the engineering department.

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in civil, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, or a related field. A PhD in a relevant area is an advantage.
• 20+ years of experience in desalination plant engineering, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Extensive experience with desalination technologies such as reverse osmosis (RO), multi-stage flash (MSF), and multi-effect distillation (MED).
• Proven track record in managing large-scale desalination projects, including design, construction, and operations.
• Strong understanding of water quality regulations, environmental impact assessments, and sustainability practices.
• Ability to lead large, multidisciplinary engineering teams and set long-term strategies for desalination projects.
• Exceptional project planning, budgeting, and risk management skills, with experience managing multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects.
• Commitment to driving technological innovations and sustainability initiatives to enhance water production and reduce environmental impact.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engaging with internal teams, clients, regulators, and senior executives.

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About AECOM

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Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.