Mechanical Design Engineer

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

Job summary

A leading water utility company in the UK is looking for a Mechanical Design Engineer to shape the future of water engineering. You will lead design projects and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements while working in a hybrid model. Candidates should have a degree in mechanical engineering and relevant design experience in the water industry. This role offers a competitive salary and various benefits aimed at supporting employees' health and well-being. Join us in making a meaningful impact on millions of lives.

Benefits

Competitive salary

26 days holiday, increasing to 30

Performance-related pay

Generous Pension Scheme

Annual personal medical assessments

Various health and well-being benefits

Qualifications

• 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.
• Understand the UK’s water industry’s regulatory environment for compliance.
• Be able to communicate with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex design projects and solve real-world challenges.
• Provide mechanical input into project definition briefs and technical standards.
• Ensure engineering regulatory compliance on relevant assets.
• Support the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for engineering.

Skills

Technical design experience

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Understanding of UK water regulations

Education

Degree in mechanical engineering

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

Focusing on the mechanical engineering discipline, the role will provide the expertise needed to:

• 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>
• 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

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need are:

• 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.