Principal Mechanical Engineer

URENCO UK Ltd; Capenhurst; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Private medical & dental cover

Flexible benefits

Training & development

Job summary

Urenco is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Capenhurst/Birchwood site. You will lead a team of engineers, delivering FEED packages and ensuring designs meet Urenco standards and customer requirements.

This role focuses on safety, quality, and implementing state‑of‑the‑art engineering solutions across major capital programmes. You will mentor engineers, support project delivery, and maintain design intent throughout the project lifecycle, engaging with suppliers and stakeholders

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Professional accreditation or relevant postgraduate qualifications desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of Mechanical Engineers and Senior Mechanical Engineers.
• Develop and deliver FEED packages, including Conceptual and Basic Design activities.
• Ensure designs are aligned with Urenco standards, customer requirements, and engineering best practice.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the design development process.

Skills

Engineering leadership

FEED experience

Mechanical engineering expertise

Regulatory compliance

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Postgraduate qualifications desirable

Job description

Help us to make a world of difference

Urenco is a global leader in the production of low-carbon energy, playing a critical role in delivering secure, reliable nuclear fuel solutions worldwide. We are focused on enabling the sustainable generation of electricity for customers around the world while operating to the highest environmental, social, and regulatory standards.

In addition, as part of a strategically important industry, Urenco is now required to support the UK Government in exploring options to re‑establish nuclear fuel capabilities to produce reactor fuel for defence purposes.

To support this new project, we are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Capenhurst/Birchwood site. In this role, you will work within our Government Services function as a key interface between site teams and Group stakeholders to ensure effective planning, coordination, and delivery across complex programmes.

At Urenco, we're committed to helping you be your best. If you feel you meet some, but not all, of what we're looking for, we still encourage you to apply. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people and offer market‑leading training, development, coaching, and mentoring opportunities from some of the brightest minds in the industry.

About the Role

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will lead a team of highly skilled engineers, providing technical leadership, design oversight, and engineering expertise across major capital programmes. You will support the delivery of Front‑End Engineering Design (FEED) and ensure designs are developed in line with Urenco standards, customer requirements, and industry best practice.

You will play a key role in guiding design development, supporting project delivery, acting as an intelligent customer for suppliers and contractors, and ensuring mechanical engineering solutions are safe, compliant, and aligned with business objectives.

What You'll Do

Lead Engineering Delivery

• Lead and manage a team of Mechanical Engineers and Senior Mechanical Engineers.


• Develop and deliver FEED packages, including Conceptual and Basic Design activities.


• Ensure designs are aligned with Urenco standards, customer requirements, and engineering best practice.


• Provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the design development process.

Support Project Delivery

• Provide engineering support throughout project execution.


• Oversee detailed design activities and supplier engineering outputs.


• Support the review and approval of design deviations, concessions, and FAT/SAT activities.


• Ensure design intent is maintained throughout the project lifecycle.

Develop Technical Capability

• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of engineers, ensuring continued technical excellence.


• Support training and development programmes to maintain Suitable Qualified and Experienced Person (SQEP) capability.


• Contribute to the development of engineering processes, procedures, and standards.


• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across the wider engineering community.

Drive Quality & Safety

• Promote a proactive safety culture and learning‑from‑experience approach.


• Ensure designs meet Urenco best practice, customer requirements, and industry standards.


• Support innovation and the implementation of state‑of‑the‑art engineering solutions.


• Contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering and design assurance processes.

What Do You Need to Thrive in This Role?

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.


• Professional accreditation or relevant postgraduate qualifications desirable.

Experience

• Experience leading engineering teams and delivering major plant or infrastructure projects.


• Proven experience in FEED, design development, and project delivery within regulated environments.


• Demonstrable expertise in Mechanical Engineering.

Technical & Leadership Capability

• Strong understanding of engineering design, design management, and regulatory compliance.


• Ability to maintain design intent throughout the project lifecycle.


• Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills.

Behavioural Attributes

• Collaborative and customer‑focused approach.


• Strong analytical and decision‑making capability.


• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

What Can You Expect From Us?

• Generous Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days, increasing by one day every two years (up to 30 days), plus 13 additional flexible days. Option to buy or sell up to 5 holiday days.


• Family‑Friendly Policies: A wide range of policies to support work‑life balance and family needs.


• Bonus Scheme: A competitive bonus scheme based on company and individual performance.


• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution plan with up to 16% employer contribution.


• Private Medical & Dental Cover: Single cover, with the option to purchase additional benefits.


• Flexible Benefits: Life assurance, income protection, and benefits tailored to your lifestyle.


• Training & Development: Personalised learning and development opportunities to support your career growth.

Security Vetting

Due to the nature of the industry in which Urenco operates, successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain the appropriate level of security clearance for the role. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory completion of the required vetting and screening checks.

Creating a Diverse and Inclusive Workforce

As a truly global organisation with operations in the UK, USA, Germany, and the Netherlands, we know that our differences make us stronger. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let our Talent Acquisition team know.

Because together, we are One Urenco. We are enriching the world. And enriching your future