Principal Mechanical Engineer

ESL UK; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

23 days annual leave + bank holidays

Chartership mentoring and support

Cycle to Work scheme

Job summary

A growing engineering consultancy in Manchester is seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead multidisciplinary design in the water sector. You will guide and mentor engineers while ensuring high-quality, compliant mechanical designs. Ideal candidates will have 8–12+ years of experience in mechanical design and hydraulic systems. This role offers excellent work-life balance with flexible hybrid working arrangements, 23 days annual leave, and regular team events.

Qualifications

• 8–12+ years of mechanical design experience in the water sector.
• Strong experience with hydraulic design.
• Ability to mentor and lead design teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of practical and efficient mechanical designs.
• Review and approve design deliverables and specifications.
• Provide technical guidance across projects.

Skills

Mechanical design experience in the water industry

Hydraulic design

Leadership in design delivery

IT and digital design capability

Education

Degree or HND in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to take a leading role in delivering multidisciplinary engineering design across the water sector.

This is a senior position suited to a mechanically biased Chartered Engineer who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to lead design solutions, guide engineers and influence project outcomes.

You will play a key role in ensuring mechanical designs are safe, efficient, fully integrated and delivered to a high standard, while supporting the development of the wider engineering team.

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
• Degree or HND in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
• 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 Us?

We are 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.

We also offer:

• 23 days annual leave + bank holidays, increasing with service
• Option to purchase additional leave
• Chartership mentoring and support
• Regular CPD sessions and industry-led learning
• Monthly team brunches and quarterly socials
• Cycle to Work scheme and free fruit in the office

We are primarily office‑based but offer flexible hybrid working arrangements.

Contract positions may be outside IR35.