Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Carrington West; Hitchin; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrington West is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer for water projects, with a hybrid pattern requiring 1–2 days in Preston. The role focuses on delivering design and technical assurance across water and wastewater schemes under the AMP8 framework.

You should hold a Mechanical Engineering degree, be Chartered or pursuing chartership, and have at least 5 years’ post-graduate experience in a consultancy or design-led setting, with AMP7/AMP8 familiarity highly desirable. ASAP start.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership preferred.
• Minimum 5 years' post-graduate experience.
• Experience delivering mechanical design in consultancy/design-led environment.
• Familiarity with AMP7/AMP8 frameworks desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver mechanical design solutions for water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Provide input across concept, feasibility, optioneering and preliminary design.
• Carry out condition assessments and root-cause analysis for plant failures.
• Contribute to life-cycle cost analysis, briefs and technical reports.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to resolve mechanical challenges.
• Ensure solutions are compliant with regulations and best practices.

Skills

Mechanical design

Communication skills

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

AMP7/AMP8 frameworks

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer - Water Projects (AMP8 Framework)

Location: Hybrid 1-2 days a week in Preston

Rate: £350 - £400 per day - Outside IR35 (Depending On Experience)

Contract Type: Initial 12-month contract with potential for extension.

Start Date: ASAP

Overview

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with strong experience in the water sector to support high-profile projects as part of the AMP8 investment programme. This role is embedded within a multidisciplinary engineering team and focuses on delivering design and technical assurance for water and wastewater treatment schemes across the multiple Water regions. This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to long-term, sustainable water infrastructure improvements through technically rewarding project work in a flexible and collaborative setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver mechanical design solutions for complex water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.
• Provide engineering input across all design stages - including concept, feasibility, optioneering, and preliminary design.
• Carry out condition assessments, asset surveys, and root cause analysis for plant and equipment failures.
• Contribute to whole-life cost analysis, project briefs, and technical reports.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to resolve mechanical challenges on operational assets.
• Ensure all solutions are technically robust, compliant with regulations, and aligned with best practices in the water industry.
• Support project delivery and commissioning phases through technical review and assurance.
• Provide engineering advice and mentorship as required to junior members of the team.

Requirements

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering or similar.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership with a relevant professional institution (e.g., IMechE) preferred.
• Minimum 5 years' post-graduate experience.
• Experience delivering mechanical design work in a consultancy or design-led environment.
• Familiarity with AMP7 or AMP8 frameworks is highly desirable.
• Strong communication skills and a proactive, solution-oriented approach to engineering delivery.

Desirable Background

Candidates who have previously worked on frameworks for UK water utilities such as:

• Thames Water
• Wessex Water
• Welsh Water
• Northern Ireland Water
• Anglian Water
• Severn Trent
• United Utilities
• Southern Water
• South West Water
• Northumbrian Water

If you're an experienced mechanical engineer looking to apply your expertise to vital UK water infrastructure projects, we'd love to hear from you