Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Plymouth, Devon + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Starting Salary from £61,474 dependent upon experience + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role : SF65708

Lead the Future of Engineering Excellence

You will be a Principal Mechanical Engineer at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site, driving innovation and supporting national defence through bespoke mechanical handling and lifting equipment for refit support operations.

As a Principal Engineer, you’ll lead a team of engineers, provide technical support and design consultancy for non‑nuclear and nuclear mechanical systems, oversee technical reviews, and sign off designs and calculations.

• Leading and managing a team of engineers working on refit support equipment
• Reviewing and signing off technical designs, calculations, and documentation
• Attending authorisation group meetings and supporting fault diagnosis
• Conducting asset condition surveys and preparing health reports
• Responding to technical queries and reviewing industry standards

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and provides hybrid working arrangements.

• Extensive industry experience in mechanical engineering environments, as a Principal Engineer, Engineering Manager, or Senior Engineer
• Skilled in Inventor (preferred), Solid Works, AutoCAD, or other 3D design tools
• Proficiency in FEA (Finite Element Analysis) – Desirable
• Experienced in hand calculations

• Mechanical Engineering degree or CEng accreditation or qualified by experience
• Chartered Engineer status (support provided) – Desirable

The successful candidate must be a UK national who is able to achieve and maintain Naval Nuclear Propulsion Information (NNPPI) security clearance. Positions may be subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions.

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva Digi Care+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-day special paid leave
• Holiday Trading (buy or sell additional leave)
• ‘Be Kind Day’ – one paid day per year to undertake volunteering
• Excellent development opportunities and employee assistance programme supporting wellbeing

02/07/2026