Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Progressive; Warrington; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in nuclear engineering is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in Warrington. This role involves leading the design and development of complex mechanical handling systems, managing projects through their full lifecycle, and providing mentorship to engineering teams. A competitive salary of £75,000 along with excellent benefits is offered, alongside opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Excellent Pension

Flexible & Hybrid Working

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Career Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a Mechanical Design Engineer in regulated industries.
• Strong capability in leading design of bespoke machinery and process equipment.
• High proficiency in using advanced CAD and FEA tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of systems for nuclear and industrial applications.
• Manage full project lifecycle from concept to delivery.
• Ensure compliance with industry codes and standards.

Skills

Mechanical Design

Leadership

Communication

3D CAD

FEA

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Inventor

ANSYS

Abaqus

Job description

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Base pay range

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: Warrington, UK
Company: Global Nuclear Engineering OEM
Salary: £75,000 basic + Excellent Pension + Flexible & Hybrid Working + Outstanding Benefits

About the Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Role:

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to join a global leader in nuclear engineering, based near Warrington.

This is a senior-level opportunity to lead the design and development of bespoke, complex, and heavy mechanical handling and process machinery.

You'll be instrumental in delivering high-integrity systems for the nuclear sector, overseeing projects from FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) through to final delivery.

This role offers the chance to shape technical direction, mentor engineering teams, and influence innovation in a highly regulated and safety-critical environment.

Key Responsibilities of Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

• Lead and oversee the mechanical design of custom-engineered systems for nuclear and industrial applications.
• Manage full project lifecycle from concept and FEED to detailed design, manufacture, and delivery.
• Apply advanced CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) and FEA (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) tools to develop and validate robust designs.
• Ensure compliance with industry codes and standards (ASME, BS EN, RCC-M, etc.).
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to design teams, fostering a culture of engineering excellence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including project management, manufacturing, and quality assurance to ensure successful project outcomes.

What We're Looking For

• Extensive experience as a Mechanical Design Engineer in a regulated industry (nuclear, defence, oil & gas, aerospace, etc.).
• Proven track record in leading the design of bespoke machinery, heavy mechanical handling systems, or process equipment.
• High proficiency in 3D CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Strong understanding of FEED, design for manufacture (DFM), and lifecycle engineering.
• Experience working to nuclear or safety-critical standards.
• Exceptional leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.

Why Join Us?

• Join a global OEM at the forefront of nuclear engineering innovation.
• Lead mission-critical projects with real-world impact.
• Thrive in a collaborative, technically challenging environment with clear career progression.
• Enjoy a competitive £75,000 basic salary, excellent pension, hybrid working, and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Access to outstanding professional, career, and technical development opportunities.
  

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: Warrington, UK
Company: Global Nuclear Engineering OEM
Salary: £75,000 basic + Excellent Pension + Flexible & Hybrid Working + Outstanding Benefits

About the Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Role:

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to join a global leader in nuclear engineering, based near Warrington.

This is a senior-level opportunity to lead the design and development of bespoke, complex, and heavy mechanical handling and process machinery.

You'll be instrumental in delivering high-integrity systems for the nuclear sector, overseeing projects from FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) through to final delivery.

This role offers the chance to shape technical direction, mentor engineering teams, and influence innovation in a highly regulated and safety-critical environment.

Key Responsibilities of Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

• Lead and oversee the mechanical design of custom-engineered systems for nuclear and industrial applications.
• Manage full project lifecycle from concept and FEED to detailed design, manufacture, and delivery.
• Apply advanced CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) and FEA (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) tools to develop and validate robust designs.
• Ensure compliance with industry codes and standards (ASME, BS EN, RCC-M, etc.).
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to design teams, fostering a culture of engineering excellence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including project management, manufacturing, and quality assurance to ensure successful project outcomes.

What We're Looking For

• Extensive experience as a Mechanical Design Engineer in a regulated industry (nuclear, defence, oil & gas, aerospace, etc.).
• Proven track record in leading the design of bespoke machinery, heavy mechanical handling systems, or process equipment.
• High proficiency in 3D CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
• Strong understanding of FEED, design for manufacture (DFM), and lifecycle engineering.
• Experience working to nuclear or safety-critical standards.
• Exceptional leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.

Why Join Us?

• Join a global OEM at the forefront of nuclear engineering innovation.
• Lead mission-critical projects with real-world impact.
• Thrive in a collaborative, technically challenging environment with clear career progression.
• Enjoy a competitive £75,000 basic salary, excellent pension, hybrid working, and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Access to outstanding professional, career, and technical development opportunities.
  

Desired Skills and Experience

Mechanical Engineering Design Engineer Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Senior Design Engineer CAD 3DCAD FEA FEED Nuclear Engineering Manufacturing Manage Lead Nuclear Engineering Degree Advanced Engineering Design for Manufacture

To find out more about Progressive please visit www.progressiverecruitment.com

Progressive Recruitment, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom| Partnership Number | OC387148 England and Wales

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Design, Engineering, and Manufacturing

• Industries

  Manufacturing

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