Senior Mechanical Engineer (Water)

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 75 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup is an independent multi–disciplinary firm of Designers, Planners, Engineers, Consultants and Technical Specialists, working across every aspect of today’s-built environment. Together we help our clients solve their most complex challenges – turning exciting ideas into tangible reality as we strive to find a better way and shape a better world. 

Watch this short clip to discover how Arup are shaping a better world and how you could be a part of it!

The Opportunity:

Our South Africa team is currently looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer experienced on water utility projects to join our dynamic team working on innovative and exciting infrastructure projects in South Africa and globally.

We are looking for a colleague with technical capabilities who is passionate about engineering, people, the environment and providing an excellent service.

You will be involved in delivering projects across the water industry, for water utilities and treatment as well as industrial water systems. You will support our pipeline of feasibility and design projects locally and globally. You will provide key mechanical input to projects and be responsible for supporting and engaging less experienced staff. You will undertake work winning activities and have a desire to build networks within the industry.

You will have the opportunity to make a difference - to Arup, to our staff and to the clients and communities we serve. With collaboration at its core our team works with major Energy, Water and Industrial clients as well as numerous individual commissions. Our multi-disciplinary engineers work closely together on a wide variety of utility and industrial projects. Our work is hugely rewarding, making a positive difference to people and the environment as well as pushing the boundaries of technical and digital innovation.

Experience in water, including treatment facilities, pumping systems and pipework. We want people who are self-motivated and able to adapt to the demands of projects and clients, who will enjoy solving problems and working with our multidisciplinary teams to deliver high quality solutions.

At Arup, you belong to an extraordinary collective – in which we encourage individuality to thrive. Our strength comes from how we respect, share and connect our diverse experiences, perspectives and ideas.

You will have the opportunity do socially useful work that has meaning – to Arup, to your career, to our members and to the clients and communities we serve.

Is this role right for you?

·       Mechanical engineering tertiary qualification. Professional registration with ECSA (or other appropriate institution), or willing to pursue professional registration.

·       A demonstrable track record of mechanical engineering feasibility and design in the water utilities industry including water or wastewater treatment and transmission systems.

·       Knowledge of relevant design tools techniques and methods which may include BIM, Plant 3D or other specialist packages.

·       Good knowledge of pumping system design standards and best practice; and good knowledge of mechanical process plant and equipment.

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join a growing team of highly qualified engineers and designers. To shape and grow your career and achieve your own potential

Not ready to apply just yet, or have some questions? Please email Karin Spies at karin.spies@arup.com - Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

What we offer you:

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

An environment that will give you freedom to design with a purpose, focus on your skills to deliver quality work to our clients, opportunity to learn and share knowledge openly. You will have the opportunity to utilise your technical expertise to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in the communities in which we live and work through Arup's community engagement programme.

You'll have access to lots of learning opportunities and ongoing training through Arup university and other learning programmes.

Beyond a competitive guaranteed annual salary package, core benefits include medical aid and hospital gap cover; as well as provident fund covering retirement savings, life insurance and income protection in the event of disability. Core benefits form part of your guaranteed annual package.

Different people, shared values:

At Arup, we believe when talented people collaborate, great things are possible. Arup hires people with proven skills and open minds. We are taking deliberate action to create an inclusive culture that is grounded in our purpose to shape a better world.

At Arup, we welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), disability, neurotype or mental health, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

 We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Karin Spies karin.spies@arup.com to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit: https://www.arup.com/careers/recruitment-process/

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Recruitment Agencies – We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list

We may close the role earlier than the advertised date should we receive a large number of applications, so please ensure you apply early.

Closing Date: 21 August 2025