How to apply for Utility Infra Design Engineer / Specialist

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure firm that focuses on sustainable legacies through innovative infrastructure and environmental solutions. This role sits within a team supporting telecommunications outside plant programs across multiple regions, including data center connectivity and metro fiber. Working here means contributing to large-scale utility infrastructure projects with a remote-first setup.

About the role

This is a remote utility infrastructure telecom design QC engineer or specialist position focused on underground conduit systems for fiber optic networks. You will design and review duct banks, manholes, handholes, and roadway crossings using Civil 3D, while ensuring quality across project lifecycles. The role requires working 12pm to 8pm Pacific time to collaborate with West Coast teams, utilities, and permitting agencies.

A typical day

A typical day might involve reviewing and developing underground conduit designs in Civil 3D, performing quality checks on duct banks and manholes, and coordinating with remote engineering teams and utility stakeholders. You would also attend virtual meetings with permitting agencies or construction personnel, often scheduled during West Coast hours. The role is fully remote, so clear communication and self-management are key.

Who AECOM is looking for

• Has hands-on experience designing underground conduit networks, duct banks, handholes, manholes, and associated civil infrastructure for telecom or utility projects.
• Is proficient with Civil 3D and related engineering software for developing, reviewing, and validating designs.
• Can perform route evaluation and constructability assessments for fiber optic outside plant deployments.
• Is available to work 12pm to 8pm Pacific time and collaborate remotely with multidisciplinary teams, utility stakeholders, and permitting agencies.

Tips for this application

• Highlight specific projects where you designed underground conduit systems, duct banks, or manholes for fiber optic networks, including the software used (especially Civil 3D).
• State your availability to work 12pm to 8pm Pacific time clearly in your resume or cover letter, as this is a hard requirement.
• Include examples of quality control or design review work on telecom outside plant infrastructure, since the role emphasizes QC.
• Mention any experience with data center connectivity, metro fiber deployments, or utility infrastructure projects, as these are listed focus areas.
• Use keywords from the job description such as 'outside plant', 'conduit systems', 'duct banks', 'route evaluation', and 'constructability' to align with applicant tracking systems.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, emphasize your direct experience designing underground telecom infrastructure, including conduit systems and duct banks. Highlight your proficiency with Civil 3D and how you have used it to develop and review designs. Address your ability to work the 12pm-8pm Pacific schedule and collaborate remotely with utilities and permitting agencies. Mention any past work on fiber optic networks, data center connectivity, or metro fiber projects to show relevance to AECOM's focus.

Research before applying

• Review AECOM's recent projects in telecommunications infrastructure, fiber optic networks, and data center connectivity to understand their scope and clients.
• Look into AECOM's sustainability and environmental solutions initiatives, as the company description emphasizes building sustainable legacies.
• Research common underground utility design standards and permitting requirements for West Coast regions, since the role supports West Coast programs.
• Check if AECOM has any public information about their remote work policies or team structures for infrastructure roles.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Describe a time you designed or reviewed an underground conduit system for a fiber optic network. What challenges did you face and how did you resolve them?
• How do you ensure quality control in outside plant design? Walk us through your review process for duct banks or manholes.
• What is your experience with Civil 3D for utility infrastructure design? Provide an example of a complex design you completed.
• How do you handle constructability assessments and coordinate with permitting agencies or utility stakeholders?
• Are you able to work 12pm to 8pm Pacific time? How do you manage remote collaboration across multiple regions?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without demonstrating specific experience in underground telecom conduit design or Civil 3D, as these are core requirements.
• Ignoring the 12pm-8pm Pacific time schedule requirement in your application, which could disqualify you immediately.
• Submitting a generic resume that does not mention outside plant, duct banks, or quality control for telecom infrastructure projects.