How to apply for Hydromechanical Engineer

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure firm that focuses on building sustainable legacies through innovative infrastructure and environmental solutions. The Water business line works on large-scale mechanical engineering projects tied to water control and pumping infrastructure. The role is remote within the US, so you can be based anywhere in the country.

About the role

This hydromechanical engineer role sits in AECOM's Water business line and centers on the design and oversight of large-scale mechanical systems for water infrastructure. You will work on water control structures such as vertical lift gates, radial gates, sluice gates, Tainter gates, sector gates, bulkheads, and stoplogs. The work also includes sizing and specifying winches, wire rope and chain hoisting systems, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric actuators, gear systems, and other precision mechanisms.

A typical day

A typical day may involve creating 3D models in Autodesk Inventor or Revit for water control structures and their mechanical components. You could spend time sizing hoists, actuators, or gear systems, and reviewing design drawings for large-scale mechanical systems. Since the role is remote, you would likely coordinate with project teams through virtual meetings and shared design platforms.

Who AECOM is looking for

• Has experience designing large-scale mechanical systems for water infrastructure, including gates such as vertical lift, radial, sluice, Tainter, sector, bulkheads, and stoplogs.
• Can size and select hoists, actuators, winches, wire rope and chain hoisting systems, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric actuators, and gear systems.
• Is proficient with Autodesk CAD software, specifically Autodesk Inventor and/or Autodesk Revit, for creating 3D models and design drawings.
• Has familiarity with large pumps and pumping stations, and ideally with cranes such as overhead gantry cranes and rail mounted gantry cranes associated with these structures.

Tips for this application

• Tailor your resume to explicitly list the water control structures you have worked on, such as vertical lift gates, radial gates, sluice gates, Tainter gates, sector gates, bulkheads, or stoplogs.
• Include specific examples of sizing and specifying winches, wire rope and chain hoisting systems, hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric actuators, and gear systems in your work history.
• State your proficiency with Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Revit clearly, and mention any 3D modeling you have done for mechanical design drawings.
• If you have experience with large pumps, pumping stations, overhead gantry cranes, or rail mounted gantry cranes, call that out as it is listed as a plus.
• Since the role is remote anywhere in the US, confirm in your application that you are based in the United States and can work remotely.

What to cover in your cover letter

Focus on your direct experience with water control structures and the mechanical systems that operate them. Detail a project where you sized or selected hoists, actuators, or hoisting systems for gates. Mention your hands-on use of Autodesk Inventor or Revit for 3D modeling of large-scale mechanical systems. If you have worked on large pumps, pumping stations, or cranes, include that as it aligns with the job's plus factors.

Research before applying

• Review AECOM's Water business line projects to understand the types of water infrastructure they design and build.
• Look up the specific water control structures mentioned in the job description, such as Tainter gates and sector gates, to refresh your technical knowledge.
• Check AECOM's remote work policies and how their teams collaborate across locations, since the role is based anywhere in the United States.
• Find out if AECOM has published case studies or project profiles on large-scale mechanical systems for water infrastructure.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe your experience designing vertical lift gates, radial gates, sluice gates, Tainter gates, sector gates, bulkheads, or stoplogs.
• Walk through how you size and select winches, wire rope and chain hoisting systems, or hydraulic, pneumatic, and electric actuators for a water infrastructure project.
• Explain your process for creating 3D models in Autodesk Inventor or Autodesk Revit for mechanical design drawings.
• Discuss any experience you have with large pumps, pumping stations, or cranes such as overhead gantry cranes and rail mounted gantry cranes.
• How do you ensure performance and reliability when designing precision mechanisms like gear systems for water control structures?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid submitting a general mechanical engineering resume that does not mention water control structures or the specific gate types listed in the job description.
• Do not omit your experience with Autodesk Inventor or Autodesk Revit, as these are explicitly required for creating 3D models.
• Do not ignore the plus factors like large pumps, pumping stations, or cranes; if you have that experience, leaving it out weakens your application.