Lead Mechanical Engineer, Water Solutions

Sweco UK Ltd; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible and hybrid working (Flexworks

Competitive pension contribution

Life Assurance

Private Medical Insurance

Company car or car allowance

Discretionary Annual Bonus Scheme

Professional subscriptions

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Cycle2Work Scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Sweco Benefit Select discounts

Salary Sacrifice Electric Vehicle

Tree planting for new starters

Job summary

Sweco UK Ltd is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead innovative water solutions design and delivery. You will guide junior engineers and drive sustainable, cost-effective decisions, ensuring safety and long-term resilience across AMP8 projects.

Based in the UK with hybrid working, you will shape technical strategy, collaborate with project leaders, and promote digital tools to optimise lifecycle costs and performance.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline).
• Preferably chartered, or working towards chartered status.
• Proven experience in mechanical design—ideally in water sector or similar complex infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of industry standards, health and safety legislation, and construction principles.
• Leadership experience with a passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
• Proficiency in CAD and engineering software.
• Confident decision-maker with a collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical designs to ensure compliance, safety and performance.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver projects on time, within budget, to high quality standards.
• Promote digital tools and modular construction techniques.
• Drive health & safety by design and reduce whole-life costs.
• Champion sustainability, carbon reduction and innovation across the design lifecycle.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster technical excellence.
• Work with project leaders on strategic technical decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Collaboration

CAD Proficiency

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Chartered status preferred

Tools

CAD software

Engineering software

Job description

Sweco UK Ltd is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead innovative water solutions design and delivery. You will guide junior engineers and drive sustainable, cost-effective decisions, ensuring safety and long-term resilience across AMP8 projects.

Based in the UK with hybrid working, you will shape technical strategy, collaborate with project leaders, and promote digital tools to optimise lifecycle costs and performance.