Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Thames Water Utilities Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water management company is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to lead engineering designs in the water and wastewater industry. The ideal candidate will hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering, have relevant experience, and be knowledgeable in systems such as pumps and wastewater treatment. This role offers a competitive salary, hybrid working conditions, and various benefits.

Benefits

26 days holiday, increasing with service

Health and well-being benefits

Performance-related pay plan

Qualifications

• Experience as a recognised senior engineer in Mechanical Engineering.
• Knowledge in pumps, pipe systems, and sludge treatment.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex engineering process designs in water/wastewater.
• Coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for projects.
• Conduct root cause analysis of equipment failures.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Problem-solving

Team Collaboration

Technical Expertise

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Chartered Engineer or pursuing chartership

Tools

Water/Wastewater Treatment Equipment

Pumps/Pipe Systems

Job description

Job title: Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Ref 42577. Division: Asset Operations & Capital Delivery. Location: Hybrid - Clearwater Court - RG1 8DB. Contract type: Permanent Full/Part-time: Full-time. Salary: Competitive salary from £55,000 to £70,000 per annum depending on experience. Job grade: B. Closing date: 17/10/2025

Ready to lead the future of engineering?

We’re looking for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer who thrives on innovation and solving complex challenges. Join us and help shape the ‘Intelligent Client’ that will drive our AMP8 ambitions and beyond.

In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of mechanical design in the water and wastewater industry—leading high-impact projects, collaborating with expert teams, and ensuring designs meet the highest standards. You’ll investigate root causes, influence project direction with your technical expertise, and pioneer new technologies through cutting-edge research.

This is your chance to help build a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for engineering and support the development of a sustainable talent pipeline—from graduates to industry leaders.

Be part of Thames Water’s engineering transformation. Apply now and make your mark on AMP8 and beyond.

What you’ll be doing as a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

• Complete the design of complex engineering processes in the water and wastewater industry.
• Support multidisciplinary teams in developing solutions to engineering challenges for operational plants to ensure adherence to stringent design codes.
• Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for mechanically biased projects.
• Undertake equipment failure root cause analysis investigations to establish failure methods and reduce the impact and future occurrence.
• Provide technical input into project definition briefs.
• Provide mechanical input into asset surveys and plant condition assessments, feasibility studies, whole-life costing, and preliminary designs.
• Provide technical sign-off and assurance during technical delivery, including handover.
• Ensure we are compliant with engineering-based regulatory requirements in their area.
• Support testing and development of new technologies for implementation in research projects.
• Provide the technical sign-off (accountability) and assurance that the project's needs will be fulfilled during technical delivery, including handover and commissioning.
• Support the establishment of a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for engineering.
• Support the establishment of a cohesive, sustainable engineering structure from graduate to industry experts that leads Thames Water’s engineering requirements into AMP8 and beyond.

Hybrid – Clearwater Court (Reading), you will be required in the office and on-site 2-3 days a week and as the business requires.

36 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Flexible working opportunities.

You must have a driver's licence and access to a vehicle for this role.

What you should bring to the role

The essential criteria you need:

• Be a recognised senior engineer (Chartered or close to achieving Chartered Status) in Mechanical Engineering with experience in the water industry or a closely related equivalent sector.
• Be degree qualified or equivalent in mechanical engineering with a relevant awarding body/working towards chartership.
• Provide background on supporting quantity surveyors/cost estimating teams in the scope development for cost modelling and budgetary proposals.
• Be knowledgeable in any of the following: pumps/pipe systems, sludge, gas/CHP systems, and water/wastewater treatment process equipment.
• Understand the regulatory environment to achieve compliance with our engineering regulatory requirements.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £55,000 to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service.
• Access to many benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well-being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. If you need any adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know.

We are committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work.