Since Maunsell's merger with the AECOM Group, a top United States-based engineering design firm, it has about 33,000 staff globally in eight key operating groups. In Hong Kong, it employs about 1,800 with another 600 in the mainland, mostly in Shenzhen and Shanghai, making it one of the largest engineering design and consulting firm in Asia. It also has about 300 employees in other parts of Asia.

Dickson Lo Dick-sang, president of Maunsell AECOM, said: 'Aside from the projects we have coming to fruition later this year, we are also expanding our market penetration outside of Hong Kong, which is a major recruitment driver.'

'Hong Kong developers are increasing their investment in the mainland, in addition to India, Vietnam, Singapore, Australia. As our Hong Kong office acts as a support centre for our sister groups in these regions, we believe anyone who joins us will have some incredible opportunities to not only to develop their career, but also to enjoy new training and life experiences in some of our overseas offices.'

Mr Shum said the Hong Kong office would be essential for further development. 'Hong Kong is indeed a corporate regional hub and, with our specialised skills, we are able to provide significant support to our other offices from there.'

'For example, we have some urban development projects in Australia and some massive land development projects in the Middle East.

'Our employees always have the opportunity to be a part of our 'staff mobility' programme, allowing them to travel to other offices and take part in these projects.'

This year, Maunsell AECOM is looking to hire from 300 to 400 staff in Hong Kong. This includes about 200 resident site-staff, 100 to 150 design office-based employees of various disciplines, such as building engineering and transportation, and about 50 to 60 other support staff.

While it is normally able to recruit some of the top engineering talent from Hong Kong's leading universities, it also focuses on the character of candidates.

'Through our university recruitment campaigns, in which we have senior staff and past graduates holding talks and seminars in the universities, we are generally able to attract some of the premier engineering and design students,' Mr Shum said.

'We also look for experienced recruits who can become leaders and managers within our organisation. Any potential candidate must have a high EQ [emotional quotient], extreme passion, be willing to be a team player and exhibit creativity. Mutual respect and trust between all of our staff is critical.'

Mr Shum said the group provided a good platform for staff to advance their professional careers, though it also believed in personal growth opportunities. 'We have several employee engagement initiatives in place reflecting this essential core value as it is a culture we want to foster.'

Apart from the personnel programmes, the excellence, agility and innovation that Maunsell AECOM is known for is also a recruitment incentive.

'In the end, our aim is to align the goals of our employees with the goals of the company, cementing our position as the top engineering design firm in the region,' Mr Lo said.

Fact file

Maunsell AECOM has about 1,800 staff in Hong Kong with another 600 in the mainland

Has been ranked one of the largest engineering design and consulting firm in Asia and has received numerous industry awards

Building and railway engineers are keys for future development

Will hire from 300 to 400 staff in Hong Kong this year. Looking for passionate people with high emotional quotient

Staff mobility programme allows employees to travel globally to work for one of the eight operating groups