Principal Mechanical Engineer – Water

Arup; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit sharing

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Job summary

Arup is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the Water team in the UK, based in Cardiff or Birmingham. You will lead the design and delivery of water and wastewater projects, including pumping systems and pipework, guiding multidisciplinary teams and ensuring high-quality technical outcomes.

You will build strong client relationships, drive work-winning activities and promote rigour, efficiency and innovation across projects from feasibility to construction.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering mechanical designs for water utilities.
• Chartered Engineer status with IMechE or progressing toward chartership.
• Knowledge of current mechanical design standards in UK water industry.
• Proficiency with BIM and Plant 3D.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and delivery of water sector projects from feasibility through to construction.
• Provide technical direction to multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior engineers.
• Engage with clients to meet technical requirements, manage timelines and budgets.
• Contribute to work-winning activities, including bids and client meetings.

Skills

Water design

Mechanical design

Project leadership

BIM

Communication

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Tools

Plant 3D

BIM

Job description

Joining Arup

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Around the globe, Arup’s mechanical engineers bring specialist expertise to solutions for buildings, transport infrastructure and energy, water and waste utilities. Our comprehensive services to the energy, water and resources sectors include development of solutions for utilities and infrastructure assets, industrial processes and manufacturing systems, renewable energy and storage and sustainable mechanical system design. We are trusted to bring inventive solutions to complex technical challenges: from exemplar projects such as Green Hydrogen Production facilities to Toddbrook Reservoir repair.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Water team - based either in Cardiff or in Birmingham, and contribute to the delivery of robust, efficient engineering solutions across the water industry. In this role, you will take ownership of the design and execution of water and wastewater treatment projects, including pumping systems and transmission infrastructure.

You’ll work on technically challenging and high-value projects within long-term frameworks for major UK water utilities such as Welsh Water, United Utilities, Severn Trent Water and Wessex frameworks. You will apply your technical expertise, lead key project tasks, and provide guidance to junior team members. Building and maintaining strong relationships with clients and partners will be an essential part of the role.

In this role, you will lead the mechanical design and delivery of water sector projects from feasibility through to construction. You will provide technical direction to multidisciplinary teams, with a focus on treatment systems, pumping solutions, and pipework design. The role involves overseeing and supporting the work of junior engineers and technicians, ensuring high standards across all stages of project delivery. You will engage directly with clients to meet technical requirements, manage timelines, and stay within budget. In addition, you will contribute to work-winning activities, including the preparation of project bids, proposals, and participation in client meetings. You will make effective use of digital tools such as BIM and Plant 3D to enhance project outcomes and will be expected to promote a culture of technical rigour, operational efficiency, and innovation within the team.

The available position is for senior engineers with experience in water, including treatment facilities, pumping systems and pipework. We want people who are self motivated and able to adapt to the demands of projects and clients, someone who will enjoy solving problems and have the capability to lead our multidisciplinary teams to deliver high quality solutions.

Is this role right for you?

We are seeking the below skills and knowledge:

• Proven experience delivering mechanical designs in the water utilities sector, including treatment facilities and pumping systems
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status with IMechE or relevant body, or progressing toward chartership
• Sound knowledge of current mechanical design standards and practices in the UK water industry
• Proficiency in understanding digital design software (e.g., BIM, Plant 3D)
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams
• A results-oriented mindset, with the ability to manage priorities and deliver high-quality work on time

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What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.