Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector

Stantec; Manchester, Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid / Flexible working

Competitive salary and bonus schemes

Enhanced pension

Private medical insurance

Job summary

Stantec in the UK is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead design across water and wastewater projects in the North West, based in Manchester or Warrington. You will own complex mechanical delivery from feasibility to commissioning, mentoring engineers and guiding clients through technical challenges.

You will shape technical solutions, ensure safe and sustainable outcomes, collaborate with project managers, contractors and supply chain, and help grow Stantec's North West water

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (CEng/IEng).
• Strong experience delivering detailed mechanical design in UK water sector.
• Experience leading technical delivery across multidisciplinary projects.
• Excellent understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes and pumping stations.
• Experience mentoring engineers and developing technical capability.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design across water and wastewater treatment works and pumping stations.
• Deliver projects from feasibility through to commissioning.
• Produce and review technical calculations, specifications and documentation.
• Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.
• Mentor and support engineers to develop capability.
• Collaborate with clients, project managers, contractors and supply chain.
• Support framework delivery, improvement and business development.

Skills

CEng/IEng

Water sector experience

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Client-facing

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related

Tools

Digital engineering tools

Job description

Across the North West, Stantec is helping deliver some of the UK's most ambitious water infrastructure programmes. Through our long-standing partnership with United Utilities, we're supporting the design and delivery of major treatment works, pumping stations and network improvements that are improving water resilience, enhancing environmental performance and preparing essential infrastructure for the future.

We're looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Water team in Manchester or Warrington. This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of technically complex projects while continuing to develop your leadership within one of the UK's leading multidisciplinary consultancies.

Working with us, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Lead the delivery of mechanical engineering solutions across major water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Take ownership of projects from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design, construction support and commissioning.
• Mentor and develop engineers while helping drive technical excellence across the team.
• Build strong relationships with clients and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Contribute to the continued success and growth of our North West Water business.

ABOUT THE ROLE

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll lead the technical delivery of mechanical engineering projects across a diverse portfolio of water and wastewater infrastructure schemes, ensuring high-quality engineering solutions throughout every stage of the project lifecycle.

You will:

• Lead mechanical engineering design across water and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations and associated infrastructure.
• Deliver projects from feasibility and concept design through to detailed design, construction support and commissioning.
• Produce and review technical calculations, specifications and engineering documentation.
• Provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary project teams, ensuring designs are safe, efficient and sustainable.
• Mentor and support engineers, helping develop technical capability across the business.
• Work closely with clients, Project Managers, contractors and supply chain partners to deliver successful project outcomes.
• Support framework delivery, continuous improvement and business development activities.

YOUR IMPACT

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll play a key role in delivering infrastructure that strengthens water resilience, improves operational performance and supports long-term environmental objectives across the North West.

You’ll:

• Deliver innovative mechanical engineering solutions across nationally significant AMP8 programmes.
• Help clients overcome increasingly complex operational and regulatory challenges.
• Strengthen technical capability by mentoring engineers and promoting engineering best practice.
• Build trusted client relationships that support long-term framework success.
• Contribute to the continued growth of Stantec's Mechanical Engineering capability across the region.

ABOUT YOU

Essential

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer (CEng/IEng)
• Strong experience delivering detailed mechanical engineering design within the UK water sector.
• Experience leading technical delivery across multidisciplinary engineering projects.
• Excellent understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, pumping stations and associated mechanical systems.
• Experience mentoring and supporting the development of engineers.
• Strong client-facing, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with contractors and delivery partners.

Desirable

• Experience supporting framework delivery, bids or business development activities.
• Experience contributing to technical governance and engineering standards.
• Knowledge of digital engineering tools and modern methods of project delivery.
• Experience delivering both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.

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.

Join us and help deliver the next generation of water infrastructure across the North West while developing your leadership career within one of the UK's leading engineering consultancies.