Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Thames Water; England; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water and wastewater company seeks a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead design innovation and set engineering standards. You will drive projects, mentor a team, and ensure regulatory compliance in a hybrid working environment. The role offers a salary range of £65,000 to £80,000 plus benefits such as a £5,800 car allowance and private medical care. Join us in shaping a sustainable future for communities and the environment.

Benefits

26 days holiday, increasing to 30

Annual bonus

Performance-related pay plan

Private medical health care

Car allowance

Qualifications

• Degree qualified or equivalent in mechanical engineering.
• Experience in sludge digestion, biogas and CHP systems, or equivalent.
• Exposure to lead design engineering roles.

Responsibilities

• Set technical requirements with Project Definition Briefs.
• Refine Technical Asset Standards.
• Lead innovative designs for water and wastewater sectors.
• Achieve technical sign-off and assurance for project handover.

Skills

Mechanical engineering experience

Understanding of regulatory environment

Design engineering exposure

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Lead the Future of Water Engineering – Become Our Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Are you ready to shape the future of water and wastewater infrastructure? As our Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll take the lead in driving innovation, setting engineering standards, and mentoring a talented team of professionals. This is more than a technical role — it’s a strategic opportunity to become the ‘Intelligent Client’ at the heart of our AMP8 ambitions and beyond.

Your expertise will be pivotal in delivering sustainable, high‑performing assets that make a real difference to communities and the environment.

What you’ll be doing as a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

• Set precise technical requirements with Project Definition Briefs for strong project foundations.
• Refine Technical Asset Standards to enhance process efficiency and effectiveness.
• Uphold engineering standards in Mechanical Engineering to optimise asset performance.
• Lead the development of innovative designs for the water and wastewater sectors.
• Inspire teams on mechanically focused projects, driving meaningful change.
• Achieve technical sign‑off and assurance for seamless project handover.Support the advancement of innovative technologies through research.

Location

Hybrid – Clearwater Court, Reading

Working Pattern

36 hours a week. This position requires the candidate to have access to a vehicle and a valid driver's licence. Additionally, there is a car allowance of £5,800 included.

What you should bring to the role

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

• Be degree qualified or equivalent in mechanical engineering with a charter through a relevant awarding body.
• A mechanical engineering background in one or more sludge digestion and treatment, biogas and CHP systems, water and wastewater treatment, pumps/piping systems, or process equipment is essential.
• Understand the regulatory environment to comply with our engineering regulatory requirements.
• Have exposure to lead design engineering roles.

Additional skills and experiences would be excellent to have/bring

• Previous experience in the water industry.

What’s in it for you?

• Offering between £65,000 to £80,000 per annum, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate, plus a £5,800 car allowance.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance.
• Annual Bonus.
• Performance‑related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well‑being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to cycle‑to‑work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

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.

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.