Principal Mechanical Engineer

Key Questions
Do you have extensive mechanical and hydraulic design experience across water and wastewater projects, including leading design delivery, reviewing and approving technical deliverables, and coordinating multidisciplinary engineering teams?
Are you a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with extensive water sector design experience, and can you demonstrate your ability to lead technical delivery, manage subcontract M&E design teams, and mentor junior engineers? Please also confirm your availability for a 12-month+ contract in Manchester, working 3 days per week in the office, and your eligibility to work Outside IR35.
The Opportunity
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a growing engineering consultancy within the water and wastewater sector, with the business looking to strengthen its team with an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer. This is an opportunity to play a key role in delivering complex multidisciplinary engineering projects, taking ownership of mechanical design solutions and influencing technical standards across the business.

The ideal candidate will be a mechanically biased Chartered Engineer with extensive water industry experience, strong hydraulic design expertise and a proven ability to lead design delivery, coordinate multidisciplinary teams and mentor junior engineers.

The role offers a 12-month+ contract, Outside IR35 (subject to individual determination), based in Manchester with a hybrid working pattern of three days in the office and two days remotely. You’ll benefit from working within a collaborative consultancy where your technical expertise can make a real impact, alongside excellent facilities, free parking, strong transport links and opportunities for continued professional development.

The Role
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across projects, taking ownership of mechanical design delivery and supporting multidisciplinary coordination.

Your responsibilities will include:
Leading the development of practical, efficient and buildable mechanical design solutions  
Reviewing and approving design deliverables, calculations, reports and specifications  
Providing technical guidance and oversight across projects and supporting tender submissions  
Acting as Design Lead on projects where required, ensuring coordination across disciplines  
Directing and mentoring engineers, CAD technicians and graduates
Preparing scopes for, and reviewing outputs from, subcontract M&E design teams  
Liaising with equipment suppliers and manufacturers to support design development  
Ensuring designs comply with relevant technical standards, professional guidance and client requirements  
Managing and recording design changes within project documentation
Supporting resource planning and estimating design effort  
Attending and leading design reviews, client meetings and technical discussions  
Contributing to the continuous improvement of engineering standards and design practices  
 About You
We are looking for a highly capable mechanical engineer with strong experience in the water sector and a track record of delivering robust engineering solutions.

It’s essential that you have:
Extensive mechanical design experience within the water industry (typically 8–12+ years)  
Strong experience in hydraulic design  
Strong IT and digital design capability  
Experience working within multidisciplinary engineering teams  
Ability to lead design delivery and support junior engineers  
Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle  
 It’s desirable that you:

Experience with electrical and control systems
Experience across clean water and wastewater projects
Awareness of construction methods and materials
Knowledge of engineering drawing…