Senior CAD Specialist - job 1 of 5

How will you make your mark?

At AECOM, our work in providing access to clean water enables communities to thrive and ecosystems to flourish, contributing to a resilient future. As a global leader in infrastructure consulting, we are at the forefront of significant water projects, with over 6,000 of the industry’s best minds driving innovation and technical excellence. Together, we develop solutions that are not only best in the world, but best for the world.     

AECOM’s Water Business Line is seeking a creative and highly motivated Senior CAD Designer specializing in grading and earthwork design for immediate employment. This is a technical role working with engineers and project managers on a variety of projects within the Dams, Mining and Water Resources markets.  Candidates can expect a diverse set of project challenges focused on heavy civil grading for large mines, dams, access roads and stormwater management.

The ideal candidate will have a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration in leading civil design, producing custom solutions, mentoring mid-level and junior staff, and developing calculations, drawings, reports, and specifications for the civil design work on exciting and complex projects.

Job Description

The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Extensive experience with Autodesk Civil 3D through release 2025, with an emphasis on complex and advanced surface modeling capabilities.
• Ability to take general direction and simple sketches from engineers to then develop design criteria and progress through all stages of design.
• Dams – Grading design and surface modeling for earth-fill, rockfill, conventional concrete and RCC embankments, quarries, spillways, outlet works, foundations and drains. 
• Mining- Grading design, surface modeling and site development for tailing storage facilities, embankments, seepage ponds, utility corridors, waste rock piles, buttresses, ring dikes, underdrains, closure plans, and instrumentation and monitoring.
• Civil/Site- Site development, access roads, drainage channels, jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional dams, slope stabilization, retaining walls, detention ponds, land development, surface drainage, and stream restoration.
• Prepare detailed calculation packages for earthwork quantities, reservoir storage capacity, and tailing storage.
• Ability to process a variety of data sources to build existing base surfaces from LiDAR, survey points, break lines, DEMs, and contours.
• Detailed understanding of coordinate systems and the ability to transform data from one system to another.
• Data management of survey and client data through the project life cycle.
• Works under limited supervision.
• Performs both routine and non-routine, complex design assignments that require judgment in resolving issues or making recommendations.
• Field and survey experience a plus.
• Responsible for providing leadership and direction of specific CAD technologies assigned to the project team.
• Leads the performance of investigations, studies, and the development of designs for a variety of large and complex infrastructure projects with a focus on Dams.
• Prepare and effectively present technical and comprehensive reports verbally and in writing.

Minimum Requirements

• BA/BS and 6 years of relevant experience and or equivalency of experience and or education

• Required Software experience:
  • Civil3d

Preferred Qualifications

• 15 years of relevant CAD experience in advanced grading
• Strong technical progression within civil engineering and design.
• Comprehensive knowledge of industry standards.
• Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)
• ProjectWise
• Microsoft Excel
• Google Earth
• NavisWorks
• ESRI GIS, Blue Marble Global Mapper or other GIS application.
• Experience with other software a plus:
  • InfraWorks
  • Vehicle Tracking
  • ReCap
  • Bluebeam
  • MicroStation OpenRoads, OpenGround, GeoPak
  • Revit

• No relocation will be provided for this role
• 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 savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.