Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

CIBSE Journal; Preston; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 74,000; Part time

Job summary

CIBSE Journal is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with strong water sector experience to support the AMP8 investment programme. The role is embedded within a multidisciplinary team and focuses on delivering design and technical assurance for water and wastewater schemes across UK regions.

Based in Preston with hybrid working (1–2 days in the office), you will contribute to optioneering, feasibility and detailed design, mentoring junior engineers and ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered status or working towards chartership.
• Minimum 5 years post‑graduate experience.
• Experience delivering mechanical design in consultancy/design environment.
• Familiarity with AMP7/AMP8 frameworks.
• Strong communication skills and proactive delivery.

Responsibilities

• Deliver mechanical design solutions for water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Provide input across all design stages — concept, feasibility, optioneering and preliminary design.
• Carry out condition assessments, asset surveys and root cause analysis.
• Contribute to whole‑life cost analysis, project briefs and technical reports.
• Work with multidisciplinary teams to resolve mechanical challenges on assets.
• Ensure solutions are robust, regulatory compliant and align with best practices.
• Support project delivery and commissioning phases through technical review and assurance.
• Provide mentorship to junior team members.

Skills

Communication skills

Mechanical design

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Job Title

Mechanical Design Engineer – Water Projects (AMP8 Framework)

Location

Hybrid 1–2 days a week in Preston

Rate

GBP350 – GBP400 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

will be at a distinct advantage.