Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Competitive salary

Professional subscriptions paid

Training & development

Chartered engineer progression

Job summary

Stantec is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the mechanical delivery for water sector projects in the UK, overseeing feasibility, design, and commissioning. You will work with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and contractors to deliver practical, efficient solutions.

You will also mentor junior engineers, support business growth, and ensure design governance and best practices are followed across projects.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience mentoring and supporting the development of junior engineers.
• Experience delivering detailed mechanical design within the UK water sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical delivery of mechanical engineering projects across the full lifecycle, from feasibility to commissioning.
• Mentor and develop engineers, supporting project planning and client engagement.

Skills

Communication

Mentoring

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Water sector experience

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working towards Chartership

Tools

Digital engineering tools

Job description

THE OPPORTUNITY

The UK water sector is undergoing its most significant period of investment in decades, and Stantec is helping deliver the infrastructure that will improve water security, protect the environment and create more resilient communities. As AMP8 progresses, we're looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our growing Water team in the South.

This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading technical role within one of the UK's foremost multidisciplinary water consultancies. You'll work on a diverse portfolio of major infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, collaborating with industry-leading specialists to deliver innovative mechanical engineering solutions for water and wastewater treatment, pumping stations and conveyance systems. With a strong pipeline of work, investment in digital engineering and a collaborative team culture, you'll have the opportunity to further develop your career while making a tangible difference to the communities we serve.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will lead the technical delivery of mechanical engineering projects across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design, construction support and commissioning. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary teams, project managers, clients, contractors and supply chain partners to develop practical, sustainable engineering solutions that deliver outstanding project outcomes.

You will provide technical leadership across water and wastewater treatment facilities, pumping stations and mechanical process systems, ensuring engineering quality, technical governance and best practice are maintained throughout project delivery. Alongside your project responsibilities, you'll mentor and support developing engineers, helping to build capability across the team while contributing to project planning, client engagement and business growth.

YOUR IMPACT

Your expertise will help deliver the infrastructure that enables communities to access safe, reliable water services while supporting the industry's ambitious environmental and sustainability goals. Through innovative mechanical design, you'll contribute to projects that improve treatment processes, enhance operational efficiency and increase the resilience of critical water infrastructure.

You will also play an important role in developing the next generation of engineers, sharing your technical knowledge and fostering a collaborative culture that drives engineering excellence. Your contribution will strengthen client relationships, support successful project delivery and reinforce Stantec's reputation as one of the UK's leading engineering consultancies.

ABOUT YOU

Essential

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or actively working towards Chartership.
• Experience delivering detailed mechanical design within the UK water sector.
• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, pumping stations and associated mechanical systems.
• Experience leading technical project delivery and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience mentoring and supporting the development of junior engineers.

Desirable

• Experience working alongside delivery contractors.
• Experience across both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.
• Experience supporting bids or business development activities.
• Knowledge of digital engineering tools and modern methods of project delivery.

WHY JOIN US

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and help deliver innovative engineering solutions that will shape the future of water infrastructure across the South, we'd love to hear from you.

#UKWater

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] we will talk to you about how we can support you.