Mechanical Design Engineer

South East Water; Tonbridge and Malling; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme

5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per

Flexible annual leave policy to buy or

Paid volunteering days

Cycle to work scheme

Health cash plan

Life assurance

Wellbeing related benefits

Job summary

South East Water in the United Kingdom is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership within the MEICA team, overseeing resource allocation and delivering capital schemes from design through commissioning.

The role requires extensive experience with clean water projects, hydraulic systems, NEC3/PSC contracts, and a UK driving licence for site work across our supply area; you will lead reviews, manage designs, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience in clean water projects, treatment plants or pumped systems.
• Strong understanding of hydraulic systems and head loss calculations.
• Familiarity with NEC3 Design & Construct or PSC contracts.
• Ability to manage workload within a team and meet budgets.
• Clear written and verbal communication for reports and collaboration.
• Full, clean UK driving licence for site travel across the supply area.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical solutions with multi-disciplinary teams for water infrastructure.
• Lead design reviews and approve complex mechanical designs and specifications.
• Oversee outline scheme designs and ensure contractor work meets specifications and legislation.
• Provide technical guidance to MEICA engineers and act as deputy authorising engineer.
• Ensure safety and CDM compliance and participate in HAZOP/ALM studies.
• Engage with internal teams and partners at industry groups.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Water industry experience

Hydraulic systems

Project leadership

Communication

Driver's licence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

NEC3 Design & Construct

PSC contracts

Job description

Are you a skilled mechanical engineer looking for a role that offers both technical challenge and a genuine work-life balance? Do you want to use your expertise to lead meaningful projects that provide a vital service to our community? As one of our Senior Mechanical Engineers, you'll provide the technical leadership needed to keep our MEICA team moving forward. This is a varied role where you'll oversee resource allocation, solve complex mechanical queries, and help deliver capital engineering schemes from the initial design through to commissioning. Whether you're an experienced professional looking for a more stable, value-driven environment or a rising talent ready to step into a senior position, you'll find plenty of opportunity here to make a tangible impact.

Responsibilities

• Develop Technical Solutions: Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams-including Process and Civil-to create integrated, practical solutions for water infrastructure.
• Lead Design Reviews: Work independently or as part of a team to check, review, and approve complex mechanical designs, calculations, and specifications.
• Oversee Project Delivery: Manage outline scheme designs and ensure all contractor work aligns with company specifications, WIMES, and current legislation.
• Support the MEICA Team: Act as a deputy authorising engineer and provide technical guidance to the mechanical engineers reporting to you.
• Ensure Safety & Standards: Undertake designer responsibilities under CDM regulations and participate in HAZOP/ALM studies to keep our sites and people safe.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build professional relationships with internal teams and framework partners, representing South East Water at industry working groups.

Qualifications

• Industry Experience: A strong background in clean water projects, specifically with treatment plants, pumped systems, and chemical dosing.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with hydraulic systems, including pump selection, head loss calculations, and an understanding of surge requirements.
• Contract Knowledge: Practical experience working with NEC3 Design & Construct or PSC contracts.
• Organisational Skills: The ability to manage your own workload alongside a team's, staying calm under pressure and meeting budget constraints.
• Communication: Clear verbal and written skills for report writing and collaborating with diverse project teams.
• Licence: A full, clean UK driving licence is required for regular travel to our Snodland office and various sites across our supply area.

Equal Opportunities

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That's why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

Compensation package

• From £56,000 p.a. dependant on experience
• Plus £6,254 car allowance

Pre-employment Requirements

• It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water.
• As part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.