Principal Mechanical Engineer

Kintec Global Recruitment; Manchester; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Kintec Global Recruitment is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer in Manchester to lead mechanical design across water sector projects. You will review calculations, coordinate across disciplines, and mentor engineers and CAD technicians while ensuring design deliverables meet client and standards requirements.

The role requires extensive experience in hydraulic design, a mechanical engineering degree, and a preference for Chartered status.

Qualifications

• Extensive mechanical design experience in water industry (8–12+ years).
• Strong hydraulic design experience.
• Degree or HND in Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status preferred.
• Strong IT and digital design capability.
• Proven ability to lead design delivery and support junior engineers.
• Experience across clean water and wastewater, plus electrical and control systems is beneficial.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Lead practical, efficient, and buildable mechanical design solutions for water sector projects.
• Review and approve calculations, reports, specifications, and deliverables.
• Act as Design Lead and coordinate across disciplines.
• Direct and mentor engineers, CAD technicians, and graduates.
• Scope and review work from subcontract M&E design teams.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturers to develop designs.
• Ensure compliance with technical standards and client requirements.
• Support tenders, resource planning, and design effort estimates.
• Lead design reviews, client meetings, and technical discussions.

Skills

Mechanical design

Hydraulic design

Project leadership

Mentoring

IT/digital design

Design reviews

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (preferred)

Tools

CAD software

3D modelling

P&ID understanding

Job description

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Manchester

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £75,000 - £80,000

Sector: Water (Clean & Wastewater) | Mechanical Design

Key Responsibilities

• Lead practical, efficient, and buildable mechanical design solutions for water sector projects.
• Review and approve calculations, reports, specifications, and deliverables.
• Act as Design Lead and coordinate across disciplines.
• Direct and mentor engineers, CAD technicians, and graduates.
• Scope and review work from subcontract M&E design teams.
• Work with suppliers and manufacturers to develop designs.
• Ensure compliance with technical standards and client requirements.
• Support tenders, resource planning, and design effort estimates.
• Lead design reviews, client meetings, and technical discussions.

Requirements

• Extensive mechanical design experience in the water industry (typically 8-12+ years).
• Strong hydraulic design experience.
• Degree or HND in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status preferred.
• Strong IT and digital design capability.
• Proven ability to lead design delivery and support junior engineers.
• Experience across clean water and wastewater, plus electrical and control systems, beneficial.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle