Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer

Advance Training & Recruitment Services; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Advance Training & Recruitment Services seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer (lead role) in Preston. The candidate will lead mechanical design for water and wastewater schemes, ensuring technical excellence and regulatory compliance while guiding junior engineers and coordinating with clients and stakeholders.

The role supports hybrid working and requires Chartered Engineer status or demonstrable equivalent, with extensive UK project experience.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering.
• Extensive experience in UK water infrastructure projects.
• Chartered Engineer status preferred or demonstrable equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership in the design and delivery of mechanical infrastructure for water and wastewater projects.
• Lead development of detailed mechanical designs, drawings, specifications and calculations.
• Oversee site assessments, feasibility studies, and design reviews; advise during construction on complex issues.
• Act as mechanical discipline lead, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with WIMES, DWI, and British/European standards; mentor junior engineers.
• Take ownership of work packages on major schemes and support business development.

Skills

Leadership

Mechanical design

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer (Lead / Principal grade)

Location: Preston (Hybrid Working)

Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 + benefits or Contract Rate: £50 – £55ph Ltd

Overview:

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer (contract or permanent) to lead the design and delivery of complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This is a key technical leadership role within the team, providing strategic input across project lifecycles, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and driving engineering excellence across mechanical packages.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic leadership in the design and delivery of mechanical infrastructure for clean and wastewater treatment works, ensuring alignment with programme, cost, and quality objectives.
• Lead the development of detailed mechanical designs, including drawings, specifications, and calculations, ensuring technical excellence and compliance with client and industry standards.
• Oversee and direct site assessments, feasibility studies, and design reviews; provide expert input during construction to resolve complex technical issues.
• Act as the mechanical discipline lead, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and external stakeholders to ensure robust, compliant, and sustainable solutions.
• Drive adherence to WIMES, DWI, and relevant British/European mechanical standards, ensuring best practice is embedded across all design activities.
• Take ownership of mechanical work packages on major schemes, ensuring consistency in delivery and acting as a technical authority.
• Mentor, support, and develop junior and mid-level engineers, fostering a high-performing and knowledgeable mechanical engineering team.
• Support business development and bid activities through technical leadership, scope definition, and resource planning.

Requirements:

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in the design and delivery of mechanical systems for UK water infrastructure projects, ideally within AMP frameworks.
• Deep understanding of relevant industry standards (WIMES, DWI) and regulatory frameworks.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams.
• Chartered Engineer status with IMechE or equivalent (or demonstrable equivalent experience and capability).

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.