Principal Mechanical Engineer

JAM Recruitment; England; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Part time

Job summary

A UK recruitment agency is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer for a 12-month contract to lead engineering activities on a defence decommissioning programme. The role focuses on mechanical handling, cutting technologies, and integrating bespoke tooling in regulated environments. Candidates should hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, possess Chartered Engineer status, and have experience in high-stakes industries like nuclear and defence. The position offers competitive hourly rates and hybrid working options.

Qualifications

• Strong background in highly regulated industries such as nuclear, defence, or oil & gas.
• Proven experience in delivering complex engineering packages.
• Comfortable with multidisciplinary teamwork and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams and deliver complex mechanical design solutions.
• Act as primary technical contact for stakeholders.
• Produce and approve engineering deliverables including calculations and design specifications.
• Provide leadership on mechanical handling systems and bespoke cutting equipment.
• Ensure engineering work meets regulatory expectations and safety standards.
• Mentor engineers to promote technical performance and safety culture.

Skills

Mechanical handling systems expertise

Technical documentation proficiency

Leadership in engineering teams

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Chartered Engineer status

Job description

Principal Mechanical Engineer (12 month contract)

Location: Warrington or Preston or Leicester (Hybrid working)

Rate: £60a-£80 per hour (Umbrella, inside IR35)

Clearance: Must be eligible for NNPPI and SC security clearance

A great opportunity has just opened up for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to support a major UK defence decommissioning programme focused on the safe, sustainable dismantling of legacy assets. This is a highly regulated environment where engineering quality, safety and innovative problem solving are absolutely central.

The role involves leading mechanical engineering activities on complex decommissioning systems, with a strong focus on mechanical handling, cutting technologies, and integration of bespoke tooling into challenging environments.

What you'll be doing

• Leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and overseeing delivery of complex mechanical design solutions.

• Acting as the primary technical point of contact for internal and external stakeholders.

• Producing, reviewing and approving engineering deliverables including calculations, design specifications, reports and technical assessments.

• Providing technical leadership on mechanical handling systems (e.g. cranes, bogeys, conveyors, lifting equipment, ROVs, remote handling).

• Supporting concept development and integration of bespoke cutting equipment, including diamond-wire cutters and specialist tooling.

• Ensuring engineering work meets regulatory expectations, safety standards and project requirements.

• Mentoring engineers and promoting high standards of technical performance and safety culture.

What they're looking for

Essential:

• Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

• Chartered Engineer status.

• Strong background as a Senior/Principal Mechanical Engineer within a highly regulated industry (nuclear, defence, marine, oil & gas, heavy industrial, etc.).

• Proven experience delivering complex engineering packages and leading small engineering teams.

• Experience with mechanical handling systems and/or bespoke tooling or cutting equipment.

• Strong capability in producing and approving technical documentation to industry standards.

• Comfortable working closely with multidisciplinary teams and presenting technical solutions to stakeholders.

How to Apply

If you have the right background and are eligible for NNPPI and SC security clearance, please apply with your CV today.