Lead Mechanical Engineer

SIMPLY RECRUITMENT GROUP LIMITED; Remote; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer to oversee the development and management of Nuclear Infrastructure Design documents. The role involves providing technical oversight, managing design changes, and working in a regulated high-hazard environment. Suitable candidates will have a mechanical engineering background, strong knowledge of design standards, and significant experience in mechanical projects. The position offers a competitive hourly rate and is primarily remote, with occasional site visits in Glasgow.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial plant and machinery such as pumps, generators, etc.
• Strong understanding of mechanical design standards.
• Experience in authoring technical justifications for regulated industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of Nuclear Infrastructure Design Substantiation documents.
• Manage mechanical design changes and concessions.
• Provide expert mechanical engineering advice to stakeholders.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Knowledge of British and European Standards

Technical Justifications

Multi-discipline Engineering Projects

Education

HNC or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Job description

We are looking for a Lead Mechanical Engineer to work on a long term contract on a remote basis with occasional visits to a site in Glasgow.

Rate is c£60-70 Umbrella per hour or PAYE Equivalent.

About the Lead Mechanical Engineer role

The Lead Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for the authorship, development, assessment, maintenance, and management of a comprehensive suite of Nuclear Infrastructure Design Substantiation documents. The role provides leadership and technical oversight across design changes, concessions, safety‑related engineering activities, and mechanical systems development within a regulated high‑hazard environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Author, develop, assess, maintain, and manage a suite of nuclear infrastructure design substantiation documents.
• Lead the authoring, assessment, and management of mechanical design changes and concessions throughout the project lifecycle.
• Present mechanical design substantiation materials to internal nuclear safety and due‑process committees.
• Produce and develop Examination, Inspection, Maintenance & Testing (EIMT) schedules, operating procedures, and associated evidence to support design intent and safety case requirements throughout asset life.
• Produce and / or assess Periodic Review of Safety (PRS) reports.
• Provide expert mechanical engineering advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Prepare scopes of work for Independent Technical Assessments (ITA) and Independent Peer Reviews (IPR).
• Apply specialist mechanical engineering knowledge to utilise and integrate existing and emerging technologies.
• Apply appropriate theoretical and practical engineering methods to design, develop, manufacture, construct, commission, operate, maintain, decommission, and recycle systems and processes within a nuclear or high‑risk environment.
• Produce robust technical justifications to support the authorisation of mechanical design modifications within a high‑hazard industry.
• Review technical reports, safety case submissions, and supporting documentation produced by external contractors.
• Check, verify, and review calculations, analyses, and technical documents generated by other engineering staff.

Position Requirements

Experience (Essential)

• Experienced Mechanical Engineer with a background in industrial plant and machinery (e.g., pumps, generators, rotating equipment, mechanical handling systems).
• Strong knowledge of current mechanical design standards and working practices, including relevant British and European Standards.
• Theoretical and practical experience across concept design, detailed design, and construction phases of mechanical engineering projects, ideally within industrial and / or maritime environments.
• Experience assessing mechanical plant and equipment for hazard withstand capability.
• Demonstrated experience in authoring robust technical justifications and supporting documentation to enable approval of mechanical design modifications within a regulated high‑hazard industry.
• Experience contributing to multi‑discipline engineering projects and providing integrated mechanical engineering input.

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience within nuclear, defence, or similar high‑hazard regulated environments.
• Familiarity with safety case development techniques (e.g., HAZID, HAZOP).
• Experience within the UK nuclear sector (civil or defence), particularly in design and assessment of safety‑related structures, systems, and components.
• Knowledge of UK and US nuclear regulatory frameworks and associated nuclear‑specific codes and standards.

Qualifications & Training

Essential

• For candidates from non‑nuclear backgrounds, completion of an introductory nuclear industry training course within six months of joining.
• Minimum HNC or equivalent qualification in a relevant mechanical engineering discipline.
• Incorporated Engineer status or equivalent professional experience.

Desirable

• Bachelors degree (BEng / BSc) or higher in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status.

How to Apply

Please call Rebecca at Simply Recruitment Group or press APPLY NOW!