Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

South East Water; Snodland; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension (10%)

Holiday allowance

Flexible leave

Volunteering days

Cycle to work

Health plan

Life cover

Wellbeing benefits

Job summary

South East Water is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead the MEICA team, delivering capital schemes from design through commissioning while balancing technical challenge with work–life balance.

You’ll coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams, lead design reviews, manage project delivery, and travel to sites around our supply area from Snodland. A full UK driving licence and NEC3/PSC contract experience are preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience with clean water projects including treatment plants, pumped systems and chemical dosing.
• Knowledge of hydraulic systems, pump selection, head loss calculations and surge requirements.
• Experience with NEC3 Design & Construct or PSC contracts.
• Ability to manage own workload and a team within budget constraints.
• Clear verbal and written communication for reporting and collaboration.
• Full, clean UK driving licence for travel to Snodland and sites.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical solutions in coordination with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Lead design reviews and approve complex mechanical designs, calculations and specs.
• Oversee outline scheme designs and ensure contractor work meets specs, WIMES and legislation.
• Support MEICA team as deputy authorising engineer with technical guidance.
• Undertake CDM designer responsibilities and participate in HAZOP/ALM studies.
• Engage with internal teams and framework partners, representing South East Water.

Skills

Industry experience

Technical proficiency

Contract knowledge

Organisational skills

Communication

Driving licence

Job description

Summary:

Are you a skilled mechanical engineer looking for a role that offers both technical challenge and a genuine work–life balance?

Do you want to use your expertise to lead meaningful projects that provide a vital service to our community?

As one of our Senior Mechanical Engineers, you'll provide the technical leadership needed to keep our MEICA team moving forward. This is a varied role where you'll oversee resource allocation, solve complex mechanical queries, and help deliver capital engineering schemes from the initial design through to commissioning.

Whether you're an experienced professional looking for a more stable, value–driven environment or a rising talent ready to step into a senior position, you'll find plenty of opportunity here to make a tangible impact.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develop Technical Solutions: Coordinate with multi–disciplinary teams–including Process and Civil–to create integrated, practical solutions for water infrastructure.
• Lead Design Reviews: Work independently or as part of a team to check, review, and approve complex mechanical designs, calculations, and specifications.
• Oversee Project Delivery: Manage outline scheme designs and ensure all contractor work aligns with company specifications, WIMES, and current legislation.
• Support the MEICA Team: Act as a deputy authorising engineer and provide technical guidance to the mechanical engineers reporting to you.
• Ensure Safety & Standards: Undertake designer responsibilities under CDM regulations and participate in HAZOP/ALM studies to keep our sites and people safe.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build professional relationships with internal teams and framework partners, representing South East Water at industry working groups.

What you’ll need:

• Industry Experience: A strong background in clean water projects, specifically with treatment plants, pumped systems, and chemical dosing.
• Technical Proficiency: Experience with hydraulic systems, including pump selection, head loss calculations, and an understanding of surge requirements.
• Contract Knowledge: Practical experience working with NEC3 Design & Construct or PSC contracts.
• Organisational Skills: The ability to manage your own workload alongside a team's, staying calm under pressure and meeting budget constraints.
• Communication: Clear verbal and written skills for report writing and collaborating with diverse project teams.
• Licence: A full, clean UK driving licence is required for regular travel to our Snodland office and various sites across our supply area.

Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.

We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That's why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.

Benefits package:

• Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
• 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
• Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
• Paid volunteering days.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Health cash plan.
• Life assurance.
• Wellbeing related benefits.

What can you expect from your recruitment?

• It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water.
• Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.

Compensation package:

From GBP56,000 p.a. dependant on experience

Plus GBP6,254 car allowance