Principal Consultant - Aquatic Design

WSP is seeking an exceptional Principal Consultant to lead and grow our Aquatic & Wellness design discipline from our Global Capability Centre (GCC). This is a uniquely integrated role that combines senior design leadership with full technical project delivery and is central to our strategic ambition of building an independently capable, India-based delivery team.

In this role, you will drive the complete lifecycle of aquatic and wellness projects — from early pre-concept and concept design through schematic design, technical production, and final delivery. You will bring both a strong design sensibility and engineering rigour, leading visual narratives, 3D models, and design documentation while simultaneously owning project delivery, quality assurance, and team performance.

This position is pivotal to WSP’s long-term goal of enabling the India GCC to operate as a fully self-sufficient delivery hub for Aquatic & Wellness projects globally. You will play a founding role in building that capability, including mentoring junior team members, establishing robust workflows, and working progressively toward independent end-to-end project ownership from India. You will exercise independent judgment on complex and ambiguous technical matters, manage multidisciplinary collaboration across geographies, and serve as the discipline’s senior representative.

BIM LEADERSHIP

• Lead the design process across all phases: from pre-concept, concept, and schematic stages through to technical design and delivery, ensuring a clear, consistent design direction throughout.
• Develop and lead design narratives, articulating design intent through presentations, documentation, and client-facing materials.
• Create and direct visuals including mood boards, user journeys, diagrams, spatial compositions, and 3D models that evolve alongside project needs.
• Lead the preparation of complete concept design packages in alignment with WSP standards and client expectations.
• Apply a strong eye for detail, colour, materials, and spatial composition to ensure experiential quality across all design outputs.
• Contribute meaningfully to later design stages by developing and refining plans, sections, and critical architectural details in CAD, Revit, and BIM workflows.

TECHNICAL DESIGN DELIVERY

• Take full ownership of aquatic and wellness design projects, applying deep technical knowledge across swimming pool, water feature, and spa/wellness systems.
• Actively participate in the production, review, and approval of design documentation, drawings, and models, maintaining a strong focus on quality, constructability, and sustainability.
• Lead the analysis and resolution of complex, multi-variable technical challenges, exercising independent professional judgement on the optimal course of action.
• Uphold QA/QC processes throughout the full design lifecycle, including direct contribution to technical outputs where required.
• Ensure technical outputs meet relevant international and local codes, standards, and industry best practices.

PRODUCTION & DIGITAL DELIVERY

• Lead the development of 2D and 3D models from early concept stages through to detailed architectural documentation.
• Develop digital massing models, visualisations, and diagrams for client presentations and internal reviews.
• Manage and enforce organised model structures, layer conventions, and naming standards to support efficient team collaboration.
• Prepare well-structured drawing packages across concept, schematic, and downstream documentation phases.
• Lead the assembly of comprehensive design documentation — plans, sections, elevations, renders, and diagrams — ensuring graphic quality reflects design intent at every stage.
• Ensure all digital deliverables comply with WSP’s internal delivery standards, templates, and naming conventions.

PROJECT COORDINATION & STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

• Manage technical resources, workflows, and project timelines to ensure efficient and on-time delivery.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (architecture, engineering, MEP, planning, and specialty consultants) across geographies to integrate technical and design requirements.
• Interface with clients and stakeholders, providing technical input and addressing project requirements with confidence and clarity.
• Represent the discipline in meetings, workshops, and presentations, resolving technical queries and communicating design decisions effectively.
• Coordinate with WSP’s global Aquatic & Wellness teams to ensure the India GCC contributes to, and progressively leads, project delivery

TEAM LEADERSHIP & MENTORING

• Supervise and mentor junior designers, BIM technicians, and production staff, supporting their professional development and alignment with WSP standards.
• Operate with significant autonomy and minimal supervision, setting the objectives, pace, and working approach for the India Aquatic & Wellness team.
• Lead teams in developing new methods, techniques, and analytical frameworks to address significant technical and operational challenges.
• Contribute to resource planning, workload forecasting, and the development of internal processes and delivery procedures.
• Support the Head of Discipline in establishing and continuously enhancing operational excellence.

PROCESS DEVELOPMENT & INNOVATION

• Lead initiatives to enhance design workflows, digital delivery processes, and documentation standards across the team.
• Develop internal design templates, libraries, and graphic assets to ensure consistent, high-quality project output.
• Explore and champion new tools, techniques, and digital methods, including AIassisted visualisation, parametric modelling, and BIM workflows, to advance design and delivery capability.
• Document and share lessons learned and best practices, supporting continuous improvement within the India team.
• Foster a culture of technical excellence, creative curiosity, and continuous innovation.

STRATEGIC GOAL: INDEPENDENT INDIA-BASED DELIVERY

This is the defining objective of this role. The Principal Consultant will be the cornerstone of WSP’s ambition to establish the India GCC as a world-class, fully self-sufficient delivery centre for Aquatic & Wellness design.

• Progressively take ownership of full project delivery, from client brief and concept through to construction documentation, managed and delivered entirely from India.
• Establish the workflows, quality frameworks, and team capabilities necessary for end-to-end independent delivery.
• Build, develop, and retain a high-performing India-based design and technical team capable of handling complex international projects.
• Collaborate with the Head of Aquatic Design to define milestones and a roadmap for transitioning projects to full India-led delivery.
• Serve as the primary point of accountability for project delivery quality, efficiency, and client satisfaction from the India GCC.
• Act as an ambassador for the India team’s capability, building trust with global stakeholders and demonstrating that world-class aquatic design can be delivered from India.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 12–15+ years of progressive experience in the design and delivery of aquatic and wellness projects, including swimming pools, water features, and spa environments.
• Demonstrated experience spanning both design (concept, schematic, design development) and technical delivery (documentation, coordination, QA/QC, construction support).
• Prior experience in a consulting or design-build environment, ideally with exposure to international projects and multidisciplinary teams.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Advanced proficiency in 2D/3D design software including AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, or similar platforms.
• Proficiency in BIM workflows and collaboration tools such as BIM360.
• High proficiency in graphic presentation tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator).
• Exceptional visualisation and representation abilities including diagrams, sketches, and digital modelling.
• Strong understanding of relevant international and local design codes, standards, and best practices for aquatic and wellness environments.

LEADERSHIP & INTERPERSONAL SKILLS

• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor teams, with experience managing geographically distributed or multidisciplinary groups.
• Confident presenter and communicator, able to articulate complex design and technical ideas clearly to clients, stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Strong coordination and integration skills across architecture, engineering, MEP, and specialist disciplines.
• Ability to operate with significant autonomy, exercising sound judgement on complex and ambiguous matters.
• Curiosity and drive to explore emerging tools, techniques, and digital methods (e.g., AI-assisted design, parametric workflows).
• Passion for design excellence, continuous improvement, and building highperforming teams.
• Professional licensure (e.g., CEng, P.Eng) is preferred but not essential.

BGV

• Employment with WSP India is subject to the successful completion of a background verification (“BGV”) check conducted by a third-party agency appointed by WSP India.
• Candidates are advised to ensure that all information provided during the recruitment process — including documents uploaded — is accurate and complete, both to WSP India and its BGV partner”.