Principal Mechanical Engineer

Mott MacDonald; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme (MMB match 4.5–7%)

Annual bonus scheme

Professional subscription coverage

33 days holiday

Job summary

Mott MacDonald Bentley is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead design and delivery across water and wastewater projects in the UK. You will mentor engineers, coordinate with multi-discipline teams, and ensure adherence to client standards throughout the project lifecycle.

This role focuses on impactful, safe, and efficient infrastructure solutions. Join a joint venture between Mott MacDonald and JN Bentley, delivering award-winning projects with substantial regional influence, and

Qualifications

• Chartered Mechanical Engineer or above.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of the water and/or wastewater industry.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, practices, and standards relating to process industries.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple design tasks and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the design, planning, and execution of the mechanical engineering aspects of our projects.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to our mechanical engineers and project teams.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and team members.
• Lead the development of the mechanical design of water and wastewater infrastructure and non‑infrastructure projects through the project lifecycle (P&IDs, valve schedules, pumps, tanks, process equipment, above ground pipework, lifting & access steelwork).
• Coordinate with the wider design team of Electrical, Civil, Geotech and Process engineers.
• Ensure applications of client’s asset standards and engage in technical discussions on best practice and standards waivers.
• Collaborate with commercial, operational and construction teams to develop efficient, safe solutions throughout design stages and construction.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Problem-solving

Project management

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Mechanical Engineer or equivalent

Job description

Mott MacDonald Bentley is a fully integrated design and build business combining the design expertise of Mott MacDonald with the contracting experience of JN Bentley to deliver award winning projects. With an annual turnover surpassing £500 million, Mott macDonald Bentley cements its position as a leader within the industry. The sustained, robust business performance creates an ideal environment for career growth.

MMB has extended its contract with Thames Water for an additional five years. As the largest water and wastewater provider in the UK, Thames Water serves 15 million customers throughout London and the Thames Valley. This extension will carry the current workload beyond the end of AMP8 in March 2030. We are delivering work in the Thames Valley region (extending from Cirencester in the west to the M25 and from Basingstoke in the South to Banbury in the North). This sees us undertake a varied programme of sizable projects in wastewater treatment, clean water production and Infrastructure (Water and Wastewater networks).

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will contribute to projects that significantly impact our environment and communities. Working primarily in the UK water market, MMB provides the feasibility, design, construction, and commissioning services needed to keep water flowing and wastewater treated. You’ll work on projects that make a real difference to our environment and our communities by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of water and wastewater treatment systems.

You will play a pivotal role in shaping the mechanical functions throughout the lifecycle of various projects.

The role of a Principal Mechanical Engineer includes:

• Lead and oversee the design, planning, and execution of the mechanical engineering aspects of our projects.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to our mechanical engineers and project teams. Develop knowledge and excellance within the team.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and team members.
• Lead the development of the mechanical design of water and wastewater infrastructure and non‑infrastructure projects through the project lifecycle encompassing P&IDs, valve schedules, pumps, tanks, process equipment, above ground pipework, lifting and access steelwork
• Coordinate with the wider design team of Electrical, Civil, Geotech and Process engineers.
• Work closely with the project teams to ensure applications of client’s asset standards and engage in particular technical discussions on best practice and standards waivers.
• Working closely and collaboratively with the commercial, operational and construction teams to develop efficient, practical and safe solutions throughout design stages, construction and beyond
• Positively engage with the client, managing relationships and adopting a one‑team approach to supporting them in achieving their aims.

What you’ll need:

• Chartered Mechanical Engineer or above
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field
• Strong knowledge of the water and/or wastewater industry
• Strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, practices, and standards realting to process industries.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple design tasks and meet deadlines.

What’s in it for you:

Financial wellbeing

• MMB match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues including our annual bonus schemes.
• Payment of annual professional institution subscription costs

Health and wellbeing

• A minimum of 33 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays, with the ability to buy, sell or carry over annual leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Access to Life Assurance / Private Medical Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance and Health Screening options
• We are happy to talk openly about flexible working and how we can support your responsibilities beyond the workplace.
• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave plus the option for shared parental leave.
• Up to 2 paid additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities

Learning and development

• MMB are committed to empowering our people to grow professionally and thrive in their careers. We offer structured development schemes that support your journey toward professional chartership. From day one, employees are fast‑tracked towards chartership reviews and benefit from mentorship, hands‑on experience, and tailored training opportunities

**Mott MacDonald Bentley are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.**

Other information

This is a Mott MacDonald Bentley role, employed by Mott MacDonald.

Mott MacDonald Bentley is a joint venture business, established in 1999 between civil engineering contractor JN Bentley and global management consultancy, Mott MacDonald.

Mott MacDonald Bentley offers fully integrated design and build services to its clients, combining the contracting expertise of JN Bentley and the design specialisms of Mott MacDonald.

This role is employed by Mott MacDonald but will involve working across the joint venture business, both with Mott MacDonald and JN Bentley colleagues.

About Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy.

Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.
Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence.

We believe that because we care about what we do, we do things better.

We know that our people are our most valuable asset, so we are dedicated to investing in them, through our comprehensive training and development schemes, exposure to the wider design and build business and endless opportunities.

We are committed to creating a workplace where our people are safe, have a voice, can reach their full potential, and everyone shares in the rewards.

You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that benefit our communities – from helping to secure water supplies for future generations to protecting homes and businesses from flood risk – our projects make a real difference.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

A Mott MacDonald Bentley we welcome applications from all sectors of the community. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace where everyone feels included, has the opportunity to thrive, and is treated with respect.

Even if you don’t meet every requirement for this role but are excited about the opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Find out more about our approach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion here: https://www.mottmacbentley.co.uk/people .

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment practices are barrier‑free and as inclusive as possible. This includes making adjustments during the job application process and throughout your future career with us. Please call 01756 691572 or email [e-mail] to discuss any such adjustments that we can make. You can read more about our Equal Opportunities Policy here: Equality, diversity and inclusion - Mott MacDonald

Agile working

We are committed to providing a flexible and agile working environment that supports both our employees and the needs of the business.