Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water

The UK water sector is undergoing its most ambitious period of investment in decades, and Stantec is at the forefront of delivering the infrastructure that will improve water security, protect the environment and support communities for generations to come. As AMP8 progresses, we're delivering major programmes for water companies across the South of England and are looking for a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our leadership team.

This is an opportunity to shape more than projects. You'll play a strategic role in the growth of our Mechanical Engineering discipline, working alongside industry‑leading specialists to deliver innovative water and wastewater solutions while strengthening client relationships, developing future technical leaders and influencing engineering excellence across the region. With a diverse portfolio of projects, access to national and international expertise and a collaborative culture, you'll have the platform to make a lasting impact on both our business and the wider water industry.

As a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will provide strategic technical leadership across major infrastructure and non‑infrastructure projects, overseeing the successful delivery of mechanical engineering solutions from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design, construction support and commissioning.

You’ll act as a senior technical authority across water and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations and conveyance systems, ensuring engineering solutions are innovative, sustainable and deliver long‑term value for our clients. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, contractors and key stakeholders, you’ll drive technical governance, support project delivery and contribute to business development and framework growth across the South of England.

Alongside your technical responsibilities, you will mentor and develop engineers across the business, providing line management, strengthening capability and helping shape the future direction of our Mechanical Engineering discipline.

Your leadership will help deliver some of the UK’s most significant water infrastructure programmes, enabling our clients to respond to increasing environmental expectations, population growth and climate resilience challenges. Through technical excellence and strategic thinking, you’ll influence investment decisions that improve operational performance, enhance sustainability and deliver resilient infrastructure for communities across the region.

Beyond project delivery, you’ll help build the future of our business by developing technical leaders, embedding engineering best practice and driving continuous improvement across the Mechanical Engineering discipline. Your expertise will strengthen client confidence, support business growth and reinforce Stantec’s reputation as a trusted leader in water engineering throughout AMP8 and beyond.

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or able to demonstrate equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive experience delivering complex mechanical engineering projects within the UK water sector.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, pumping stations and mechanical systems.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing high‑performing engineering teams.
• Excellent communication, client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with contractors and delivery partners.

• Experience supporting framework growth, bids and business development activities.
• Experience establishing engineering standards and technical governance.
• Knowledge of digital engineering tools and modern methods of project delivery.
• Experience leading regional or discipline‑level initiatives.

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