Principal Mechanical Engineer (Public Health)

MOTT MACDONALD; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private medical insurance

Pension contributions match 4.5–7%

Life assurance 4x salary (up to 6x)

Annual bonus schemes

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer (Public Health) to lead the Tunnel Systems MEP team across the UK. You will oversee technical quality, coordinate public health design across the full project lifecycle, and design tunnel drainage, pumped drainage, fire mains, and fixed firefighting systems.

You will mentor engineers, support multi‑disciplinary collaboration, and contribute to bids while ensuring compliance with standards and delivering reliable design outputs for

Qualifications

• Degree‑qualified with membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., IMechE, CIBSE)
• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent relevant experience)
• Experience delivering large engineering and construction projects, including transport infrastructure is desirable

Responsibilities

• Leading teams of engineers and technicians
• Managing and coordinating multi‑disciplinary project teams
• Producing reliable design solutions, reports, specifications, and drawings
• Presenting technical solutions to clients and external stakeholders
• Actively participating in design team meetings and ensuring adherence to agreed principles
• Coordinating with other engineering disciplines to integrate mechanical/public health systems within the overall design
• Contributing to bid management and business development activities
• Supporting the mentoring, management, and technical development of engineers

Skills

Team leadership

Project coordination

Public health design

Mechanical systems

Drainage design

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (or equivalent)

Tools

Bluebeam

Hevacomp

MicroDrainage

Revit

ProjectWise

MS Office

Job description

Locations: Croydon, London, Birmingham, Derby, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, York

Recruiter contact: Ainsley Anstess

Overview of the role

We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to support the growth and development of our Tunnel Systems MEP team. As Principal Mechanical Engineer (Public Health), you will oversee technical quality, ensure engineering outputs meet project requirements, and lead public health design across the full project lifecycle. This includes detailed calculations, equipment selection, and ensuring compliance with relevant standards. You will also lead the design of tunnel drainage, pumped drainage, fire mains, and fixed firefighting systems.

You will join an established team with a broad range of experience, from principal engineers to apprentices. Knowledge sharing and supporting junior colleagues are fundamental aspects of our team culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading teams of engineers and technicians
• Managing and coordinating multi‑disciplinary project teams
• Producing reliable design solutions, reports, specifications, and drawings
• Presenting technical solutions to clients and external stakeholders
• Actively participating in design team meetings and ensuring adherence to agreed principles
• Coordinating with other engineering disciplines to integrate mechanical/public health systems within the overall design
• Contributing to bid management and business development activities
• Supporting the mentoring, management, and technical development of engineers

Qualifications

• Degree‑qualified with membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., IMechE, CIBSE)
• Chartered Engineer (or equivalent relevant experience)

Essential

• Foul water ejector systems
• Surface water pumped systems
• Above‑ground soil and waste systems
• Hot and cold‑water systems
• Gas detection systems
• Compressed air systems
• Fire hydrant/suppression systems
• Sprinkler/hose reel systems

Desirable

• Experience delivering large engineering and construction projects, including transport infrastructure
• Understanding of multidisciplinary design and build processes
• Knowledge of CDM Regulations 2015
• Strong verbal, written, analytical, and organisational skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and use initiative
• Proactive, adaptable, and able to apply skills to new challenges
• Ability to build strong relationships in a multi disciplinary environment
• Familiarity with common data environments
• Experience using Bluebeam, Hevacomp, MicroDrainage, Revit, ProjectWise, and MS Office
• Experience developing engineering designs within a BIM environment

The role will be based out of one of our Rail offices, with occasional travel within the UK or overseas depending on project requirements.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is 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.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

Accessibility

We want you to perform your best at every stage in the recruitment process. If you are disabled or need any support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact us at [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.

Benefits

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long‑term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long‑term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years' service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.