Mechanical Design Engineer

Thames Water; England; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water engineering company in the UK is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to lead complex design projects and influence the future of the water industry. This role involves working on technical asset standards and ensuring regulatory compliance. Candidates should possess a degree in mechanical engineering and experience in the water utility sector. The position offers a hybrid working model and a competitive salary ranging from £42,640 to £55,000, along with numerous benefits including generous holiday and a pension scheme.

Benefits

Competitive salary

26 days holiday, increasing with service

Performance-related pay plan

Generous pension scheme

Personal medical assessments

Access to health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Must have a driver's license and access to a vehicle.
• Previous experience with a water utility company is preferred.
• Ability to challenge and clarify briefs when necessary.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical requirements gathering for projects.
• Input into feasibility studies and preliminary designs.
• Ensure engineering regulatory compliance.
• Drive digital advancement in engineering standards.
• Support Capital Delivery with design sign-offs.

Skills

Technical design and installation experience

Communication skills

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Hands-on problem solving

Education

Degree in mechanical engineering or relevant qualification

Job description

Ready to shape the future of water engineering?

Join Thames Water as a Mechanical Design Engineer and be part of a dynamic team driving innovation and excellence. You’ll lead complex design projects, solve real‑world challenges, and help build our Centre of Excellence—all while influencing the future of the water and wastewater industry. If you're passionate about engineering and want to make a real impact, apply now and help us deliver our AMP8 ambitions and beyond.

What you’ll be doing as a Mechanical Design Engineer

• Get the right technical requirements with the project definition briefs.
• Input and continuously improve technical asset standards.
• Provide mechanical input into asset surveys and plant condition assessments, feasibility studies, optioneering, whole life costing, and preliminary designs.
• Support the establishment of a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for engineering.
• Provide design sign‑off to Capital Delivery as the delivery stream dictates.
• Provide technical assurance during the delivery, commissioning, and handover of assets.
• Drive the digital advancement of our engineering within the corporate digital strategy.
• Ensure and deliver the engineering regulatory compliance on relevant assets in the mechanical engineering area.
• Support the establishment of a cohesive, sustainable engineering structure from graduate to industry experts that leads Thames Water’s engineering requirements into AMP8 and beyond.

Location: Hybrid – Clearwater Court, you will be required in the office and on‑site 2‑3 days a week and as the business requires.

Working Hours: 36 hours a week, Monday to Friday.

You must have a driver’s licence and access to a vehicle for this role.

What you should bring to the role

• Be educated to a degree level in mechanical engineering or other appropriate technical qualification.
• Have previous technical design, installation or commissioning experience working for a water utility company.
• Take a curious, hands‑on approach to understanding issues on site and be willing to challenge a brief if required.
• Understand the UK’s water industry’s regulatory environment to achieve compliance with our engineering regulatory requirements.
• Be able to communicate with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £42,640 to £55,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (Plus bank holidays).
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to both company and individual performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks.

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values.

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats or anything else, just let us know – we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.