Principal Mechanical Engineer

Finlay Jude Associates Ltd; Rickmansworth; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Car/Car allowance

25 days holiday + BH + buy option

Pension

Life Assurance

Health Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

Cycle to work scheme

Job summary

Finlay Jude Associates Ltd is recruiting a Principal Mechanical Engineer in Rickmansworth to lead design activities for water and wastewater projects, directing complex layouts and cross‑discipline coordination. The role emphasizes delivering outputs on time and within budget while maintaining high client satisfaction.

You will mentor staff, drive design innovation, and ensure compliance with CDM 2015 and health and safety standards in a customer‑focused environment, with hybrid working options

Qualifications

• Proven experience and strong knowledge of engineering principles across structures, materials, hydraulics and environmental engineering.
• Experience managing staff in designing discipline‑specific aspects of water and sewage treatment plants.
• Membership of a professional institution and/or Chartered Engineer status.

Responsibilities

• Report to Design Managers and Engineering Manager.
• Develop complex, cost‑effective design layouts that meet specs and can be constructed and commissioned.
• Collaborate with other disciplines to develop site/plant 3D models.
• Deliver design outputs within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Coordinate design outputs across all technical disciplines.
• Maintain relationships with construction staff and supply chain for buildability and efficiency.
• Follow procedures to support continuous development and improve efficiency.
• Ensure designs are coordinated with internal and external disciplines to benefit the contract.

Skills

Engineering principles

Structures

Materials

Hydraulics

Environmental engineering

Staff management

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer

Job description

FJA are recruiting on behalf of a leading service provider in the wastewater industry for an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to strengthen their team.

Location: Rickmansworth

Benefits

• A competitive salary
• Hybrid Working (Jobs needs dependent)
• Car/car allowance (Jobs needs dependent)
• 25 days holiday + Bank Holidays (with an additional 5 days available to buy)
• Contribution Pension scheme
• Life Assurance
• Health Insurance
• Private Medical Insurance
• And many more benefits including – cycle to work scheme, discounts and savings Hub, Kids Pass etc

Principal Mechanical Engineer Role

Our ambitious programme, spanning a diverse range of water and wastewater projects, is valued at approximately £400M. Our engineers develop and refine innovative solutions, while the variety and scope of our projects provide a platform for continuous learning, professional growth, and rewarding careers.

Responsibilities

• Report to Design Managers, Technical Discipline Lead, Regional Discipline Lead, and Engineering Manager.
• Develop complex design layouts that are cost-effective, meet specification requirements, and can be efficiently constructed and commissioned.
• Collaborate with other disciplines to develop the site/plant 3D model.
• Deliver design stage outputs for each project within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Coordinate design outputs across all technical disciplines.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with construction staff and supply chain representatives to promote buildability and supply chain efficiency in design outputs.
• Follow and contribute to departmental procedures and processes to support continuous development.
• Assist in developing, updating, and monitoring procedures to improve departmental efficiency.
• Ensure designs are coordinated with all internal and external disciplines to benefit the overall contract.
• Maintain accurate files and records throughout the duration of contracts.
• Ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Chair Operability and Maintenance workshops with clients to review proposed solutions and confirm operability and maintainability.
• Work within a customer‑focused culture, recognising that customers include end users and other departments benefiting from processes.
• Maintain and review a personal development plan.
• Support the supervision and development of staff.
• Minimise waste across all departmental activities.
• Ensure designs account for environmental considerations.
• Ensure all designs comply with CDM 2015 regulations and health and safety requirements.

Requirements

• Proven experience and strong knowledge of engineering principles, including structures, materials, hydraulics, and environmental engineering.
• Experience managing staff in designing discipline‑specific aspects of water and sewage treatment plants.
• Membership of a professional institution and/or Chartered Engineer status.
• Hold a relevant engineering degree.
• Ability to rationalise designs and produce cost‑effective plant layouts.
• Thorough understanding of roles and responsibilities under CDM 2015 Regulations.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards (BS, WIMES, BSRIA, etc.), HSE regulatory requirements (PUWER, LOLER, PSSR 2000, DSEAR, etc.), and water quality regulations including The Water Supply (Water Quality) Regulations 2016 (Reg31) and Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) requirements.
• Hold a valid driving licence.

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.

Finlay Jude Associates Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers.