Principal Mechanical Engineer

GHD; Chester, Manchester, Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working

Hybrid working

Career development

Competitive salary

Job summary

GHD is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical design across water and industrial projects, guiding teams from feasibility through commissioning and delivering robust solutions.

You will mentor engineers, review calculations, and engage with clients and multidisciplinary teams. The role requires Chartered Engineer status, a Mechanical Engineering degree, and a track record in complex piping layouts within water/industrial sectors. Hybrid UK work.

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng)
• Experience with piping layout design
• Experience on water, wastewater, industrial, process, energy or infrastructure projects
• Proven ability to deliver projects from feasibility to construction support
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design delivery from feasibility and concept through detailed design, construction support and commissioning
• Develop innovative engineering solutions for complex problems
• Check and review technical calculations, drawings and reports
• Collaborate with clients to achieve successful projects
• Attend site visits for equipment inspection and optimisation of future activities
• Support bids, proposals and business development
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring and development for engineers

Skills

Leadership

Piping layout

Mechanical design

Client engagement

Mentoring engineers

Problem solving

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Job description

Job Description

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Chester / Manchester / London

Company: GHD

Shape the Future of Water and Industrial Infrastructure

At GHD, we're committed to solving the world's biggest challenges in water, energy, and communities. As demand continues to grow across the water and industrial sectors, we're looking for an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our expanding team and play a key role in delivering technically complex and nationally significant projects.

The Role

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of projects typically within the water, wastewater, nuclear, chemical and industrial sectors. You'll work closely with internal and external multidisciplinary teams and our clients, leading mechanical engineering solutions through every stage of the project lifecycle.

You will be involved in:

• Leading mechanical design delivery for projects that range from feasibility and concept development through to detailed design, construction support, and commissioning.
• Developing innovative and practical engineering solutions to complex problems.
• Checking and reviewing technical calculations, drawings, and reports
• Collaborating with clients to achieve successful projects.
• Attending site visits for the inspection of existing equipment, optimisation of future activities, review of construction activities, problem solving.
• Supporting bids, proposals, and business development activities.
• Providing technical leadership and guidance, mentoring and developing engineers

What You'll Bring

We're interested in speaking with candidates who have:

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng)
• Strong experience in the design of mechanical systems especially piping layout,
• Significant experience working on projects within the water, wastewater, industrial, process, energy, or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven capability delivering projects from feasibility and outline design through to detailed design and construction support.
• Excellent problem-solving skills with the ability to develop robust engineering solutions.
• Experience leading technical teams and mentoring engineers.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills

Why GHD?

At GHD, we empower our people to make a positive impact. You'll join a global professional services company with a culture that values innovation, technical excellence, and collaboration.

We offer:

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunities to work on major UK and international projects.
• A strong commitment to learning, development, and professional growth.
• Structured support for technical leadership and career progression.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Access to a global network of industry-leading experts.