What is a Software Engineer at AECOM?

At AECOM, the role of a Software Engineer—often positioned within the Digital Solutions, Innovation, or specific business line teams—is distinct from typical tech industry roles. You are not just writing code; you are building the digital backbone for the world’s most complex infrastructure projects. Whether you are developing low-code applications on the Power Platform, creating custom tools to automate engineering workflows, or managing data for water and transportation systems, your work directly enables AECOM to "deliver a better world."

This position is critical because AECOM is undergoing a massive digital transformation. You will likely collaborate with civil engineers, project managers, and environmental scientists to solve physical-world problems using digital tools. Your contributions will help improve efficiency in designing skylines, keeping lights on, and providing access to clean water. You can expect to work on interdisciplinary teams where your technical skills in C#, SQL, Azure, or GIS are applied to tangible, high-impact projects like bridge rehabilitation, smart cities, or environmental remediation.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for AECOM requires a shift in mindset. You need to demonstrate not only technical competence but also an appreciation for the engineering and construction industry. The interviewers are looking for candidates who can translate technical solutions into business value for non-technical stakeholders.

You will be evaluated primarily on the following criteria:

Technical Application & Problem Solving – You must demonstrate the ability to use technology to solve practical problems. Interviewers want to see how you use tools like SQL, PowerApps, or Python to automate tedious tasks, analyze data, or improve project delivery speed.

Communication with Non-Technical Teams – Because you will work alongside civil and structural engineers, you must be able to explain complex software concepts simply. You will be assessed on your ability to gather requirements from users who may not be tech-savvy and convert them into functional tools.

Adaptability & Learning Agility – The infrastructure sector moves fast, and project requirements change. You need to show that you can learn new platforms (such as proprietary engineering software or Microsoft’s Power Platform) quickly and adapt to shifting priorities.

Cultural Alignment – AECOM places a huge emphasis on safety, ethics, and "delivering a better world." You should be ready to discuss how your values align with building sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at AECOM can vary depending on whether you are applying through a standard channel or attending one of their exclusive Hiring Events. For standard applications, the process is thorough but straightforward. It typically begins with a recruiter screen to verify your background and interest in infrastructure. This is followed by a technical screen or a hiring manager interview, which focuses on your resume and specific skills (e.g., database management, coding familiarity). The final stage is usually a panel interview involving team members and potential stakeholders from the engineering side.

However, AECOM frequently utilizes Invitation-Only Hiring Events (often held in hub cities like Raleigh, Atlanta, or Tampa). If you are invited to one of these, the process is condensed and highly interactive. It often kicks off with an evening networking mixer where you meet staff, learn about projects, and demonstrate your soft skills in a social setting. Formal interviews usually take place the next day at the local office. This format places a heavy premium on your interpersonal skills and your ability to engage with the team culturally before you even sit down for a formal technical assessment.

The timeline above visualizes the typical progression. If you are attending a hiring event, expect the "Technical Screen" and "Onsite Panel" to be compressed into a single day or two-day engagement. Use this visual to plan your preparation; if you are going to a mixer, prioritize your elevator pitch and project stories just as much as your technical review.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

AECOM’s evaluation process is designed to find candidates who are "Digital Innovators." They are less likely to ask abstract algorithmic puzzles (LeetCode style) and more likely to focus on practical application, data manipulation, and workflow automation.

Technical Proficiency & Digital Tools

You need to show that you can build and maintain the tools that keep projects running. This often involves the Microsoft ecosystem and data management.

Be ready to go over:

• Low-Code/No-Code Development – Proficiency with Microsoft Power Platform (PowerApps, Power Automate) is increasingly vital for entry-level and intermediate roles.
• Database Management – Writing SQL queries, understanding schema design, and managing data flow between systems.
• Scripting & Automation – Using Python, C#, or M to script routine tasks or extend the functionality of existing software.
• Advanced concepts – Familiarity with GIS (Geographic Information Systems), Azure cloud services, or integrating with engineering software like AutoCAD or Revit.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Describe a time you automated a manual process. What tools did you use and how much time did it save?"
• "How would you design a database to track equipment maintenance logs for a field team?"
• "Explain how you would troubleshoot a report that is pulling incorrect data from a SQL database."

Collaboration & Requirements Gathering

Since you serve internal clients (engineers and project managers), you must be skilled at understanding their needs.

Be ready to go over:

• Requirement Translation – Taking a vague request from a project manager and turning it into a technical specification.
• User Support – How you handle bugs or feature requests from non-technical users.
• Cross-Disciplinary Teamwork – Working in a team where you might be the only software expert.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "A project manager asks for a feature that is technically impossible or very expensive. How do you handle it?"
• "Tell me about a time you had to explain a technical limitation to a stakeholder who didn't understand software."

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

AECOM values safety, integrity, and innovation. They want self-starters who can work independently.

Be ready to go over:

• Safety Awareness – Even office roles at AECOM require a mindset of safety.
• Initiative – Demonstrating that you can identify problems and fix them without being told.
• Adaptability – Handling shifting deadlines or scope changes on complex projects.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you made a mistake in your code or project. How did you fix it and communicate it?"
• "Describe a situation where you had to learn a new technology quickly to finish a task."

Key Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer or Digital Solutions Developer at AECOM, your day-to-day work is grounded in supporting the project lifecycle. You will likely report to a Digital Solutions Manager and work within a specific business line, such as Water, Environment, or Transportation.

Your primary responsibility will be developing and configuring digital tools. This often involves working in low-code environments like PowerApps to create dashboards, data entry forms, and reporting tools that field staff use on construction sites. You will also be responsible for writing and modifying code in languages like C#, SQL, or XML to extend software capabilities or integrate different systems.

Beyond coding, a significant part of your role involves data management and analysis. You will create reports and visual aids that help project managers track budgets, schedules, and safety compliance. You will also be expected to engage with internal clients—the engineers and project managers—to understand their business challenges and suggest innovative digital solutions. You are not just building what is asked; you are expected to recommend how technology can improve the workflow.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

Candidates who succeed at AECOM blend technical skill with an engineering-adjacent mindset.

• Must-have skills – A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related Engineering field is standard. You must have proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and experience with programming languages such as C#, SQL, or Python. For many modern roles at AECOM, experience with Microsoft Power Platform (PowerApps, Power BI) is a critical differentiator.
• Experience level – For entry-level roles, internships are key. AECOM values candidates who have interned at energy, engineering, manufacturing, or software companies where they gained exposure to professional workflows.
• Soft skills – Strong written and verbal communication is non-negotiable. You must be detail-oriented and capable of multitasking in a deadline-driven environment.
• Nice-to-have skills – Familiarity with GIS, AutoCAD, or Civil 3D APIs is a massive plus. Understanding the basics of civil engineering or construction management (even just the terminology) will set you apart from generalist software candidates.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions reflect the practical, behavior-focused nature of AECOM interviews. While specific technical questions will vary by team, the themes of automation, data handling, and collaboration are constant.

Technical & Problem Solving

• "Walk me through a dashboard or tool you built. What was the data source, and who was the end user?"
• "How would you approach migrating data from an Excel-based workflow to a database application?"
• "What is your experience with SQL joins, and can you write a query to filter this specific dataset?"
• "If you encounter a bug in a platform you didn't build, what is your debugging process?"
• "Explain a complex technical concept to me as if I were a Civil Engineer with no coding background."

Behavioral & Situational

• "Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle the collaboration?"
• "Describe a time you were under a tight deadline. How did you prioritize your tasks?"
• "Why do you want to work in the infrastructure/engineering industry specifically?"
• "Give an example of a time you took initiative to improve a process that was inefficient."
• "How do you handle receiving critical feedback on your work?"

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How technical are the interviews compared to big tech companies? AECOM interviews are generally less focused on whiteboard algorithms (like reversing a binary tree) and more focused on practical application. Expect questions about how you use tools to solve business problems, your familiarity with specific platforms (SQL, Azure, Power Platform), and your ability to structure data.

Q: What is the "Networking Mixer" mentioned in some job posts? For certain entry-level intake cycles, AECOM hosts invitation-only events. The mixer is effectively the first round of the interview. You are evaluated on your communication skills, enthusiasm, and professional demeanor. Treat this as a formal interview, even if the setting is social.

Q: Does AECOM offer remote work for software roles? Many positions are listed as hybrid, requiring presence in a local office (e.g., Raleigh, Atlanta, Tampa) on a scheduled basis. AECOM values in-person collaboration, especially given the physical nature of their projects, but flexible work options are part of their benefits package.

Q: What differentiates a top candidate for this role? A top candidate is someone who is "bilingual"—fluent in both technology and the language of engineering/construction. If you can show that you understand why a bridge inspector needs a specific data field in their app, you are far ahead of a candidate who just knows how to code the field.

Q: How long does the process take? If you attend a Hiring Event, the process is extremely fast—often moving from mixer to interview to offer intent within 48-72 hours. Standard applications follow a more traditional timeline, typically taking 3-5 weeks from screen to offer.

Other General Tips

Research the Projects: Before your interview, look up AECOM’s recent major projects (e.g., major airports, bridges, or water systems). Being able to reference their actual work shows genuine interest and helps you understand the scale of data they manage.

Prepare Your "Field" Stories: Even if you haven't worked in construction, prepare stories about times you worked in "field-like" conditions or dealt with messy, real-world data. It shows you aren't stuck in a theoretical bubble.

Highlight Automation: AECOM is focused on efficiency. Any anecdote where you automated a spreadsheet, a report, or a repetitive task will resonate strongly with hiring managers.

Ask About "Digital Delivery": In the Q&A section, ask about AECOM’s "Digital Delivery" strategy. This is a key internal initiative, and asking about it shows you have done deep research into their strategic direction.

Summary & Next Steps

Working as a Software Engineer at AECOM offers a unique opportunity to apply digital skills to the physical world. You won't just be optimizing ad clicks; you will be building the systems that ensure safe water, efficient transportation, and sustainable cities. The role demands a blend of technical capability in areas like Power Platform and SQL, alongside a strong aptitude for collaboration and problem-solving within engineering teams.

To succeed, focus your preparation on practical examples of how you have used software to create value. Be ready to discuss your projects in terms of the problem solved and the efficiency gained. Whether you are attending a rapid-fire Hiring Event or going through the standard interview loop, bring enthusiasm for infrastructure and a clear narrative about how you can contribute to AECOM’s digital transformation.

The salary data above provides a baseline, but remember that compensation at AECOM can vary significantly based on location and specific technical specialization. For software roles, proficiency in high-demand tools (like Azure or specialized engineering APIs) can often position you at the higher end of the range. Approach the negotiation with an understanding of the market value for your specific technical skill set within the engineering context.