Principal Mechanical Engineer

Millbank Holdings; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking

Gym facilities

Transport links

Professional development

Job summary

Millbank Holdings Ltd in Manchester is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to take ownership of mechanical design delivery on water and wastewater projects. The role requires extensive experience, leadership of multidisciplinary teams, and delivery of robust technical solutions within a 12-month+ contract.

The position offers hybrid working patterns with office-based days and remote work, along with strong development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Extensive mechanical design experience within the water industry (8–12+ years).
• Strong experience in hydraulic design.
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of practical, efficient and buildable mechanical design solutions.
• Reviewing and approving design deliverables, calculations, reports and specifications.
• Providing technical guidance and oversight across projects and supporting tender submissions.
• Acting as Design Lead on projects where required, ensuring coordination across disciplines.
• Directing and mentoring engineers, CAD technicians and graduates.
• Preparing scopes for, and reviewing outputs from, subcontract M&E design teams.
• Liaising with equipment suppliers and manufacturers to support design development.
• Ensuring designs comply with relevant technical standards, professional guidance and client requirements.
• Managing and recording design changes within project documentation.
• Supporting resource planning and estimating design effort.
• Attending and leading design reviews, client meetings and technical discussions.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of engineering standards and design practices

Skills

Mechanical design

Hydraulic design

Team leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Degree or HND in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Key Questions

• Do you have extensive mechanical and hydraulic design experience across water and wastewater projects, including leading design delivery, reviewing and approving technical deliverables, and coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams?
• Are you a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with extensive water sector design experience, and can you demonstrate your ability to lead technical delivery, manage subcontract M&E design teams, and mentor junior engineers? Please also confirm your availability for a 12-month+ contract in Manchester, working 3 days per week in the office, and your eligibility to work Outside IR35.

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a growing engineering consultancy within the water and wastewater sector, with the business looking to strengthen its team with an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer. This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering complex multidisciplinary engineering projects, taking ownership of mechanical design solutions and influencing technical standards across the business.

The role offers a 12-month+ contract, Outside IR35 (subject to individual determination), based in Manchester with a hybrid working pattern of three days in the office and two days remotely. You’ll benefit from working within a collaborative consultancy where your technical expertise can make a real impact, alongside excellent facilities, free parking, strong transport links and opportunities for continued professional development.

The Role

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across projects, taking ownership of mechanical design delivery and supporting multidisciplinary coordination.

• Leading the development of practical, efficient and buildable mechanical design solutions
• Reviewing and approving design deliverables, calculations, reports and specifications
• Providing technical guidance and oversight across projects and supporting tender submissions
• Acting as Design Lead on projects where required, ensuring coordination across disciplines
• Directing and mentoring engineers, CAD technicians and graduates
• Preparing scopes for, and reviewing outputs from, subcontract M&E design teams
• Liaising with equipment suppliers and manufacturers to support design development
• Ensuring designs comply with relevant technical standards, professional guidance and client requirements
• Managing and recording design changes within project documentation
• Supporting resource planning and estimating design effort
• Attending and leading design reviews, client meetings and technical discussions
• Contributing to the continuous improvement of engineering standards and design practices

About You

We are looking for a highly capable mechanical engineer with strong experience in the water sector and a track record of delivering robust engineering solutions.

It’s essential that you have:

• Extensive mechanical design experience within the water industry (typically 8–12+ years)
• Strong experience in hydraulic design
• Strong IT and digital design capability
• Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams
• Ability to lead design delivery and support junior engineers
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

It’s desirable that you:

• Experience with electrical and control systems
• Experience across clean water and wastewater projects
• Awareness of construction methods and materials
• Knowledge of engineering drawing practices.

Why Join our client?

They’re a growing engineering consultancy where experienced engineers have real influence over projects, technical standards and team development.

In this role, you will:

• Take ownership of complex mechanical design solutions
• Play a key role in mentoring and developing engineers
• Influence technical standards and engineering approaches
• Work on a range of challenging water sector projects

Our Manchester office offers free parking, excellent transport links and access to a fully equipped gym with changing facilities, alongside a collaborative and supportive environment.

You will have the following qualifications & experience:

Degree or HND in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline

Millbank Holdings Ltd is an equal opportunities employer committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workforce. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of background, and encourage candidates from underrepresented groups to apply.

We are proud to be a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, and we are committed to ensuring an accessible and supportive recruitment process for everyone. If you require any adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.

Millbank operates as both an Employment Agency and an Employment Business