Senior Mechanical Engineer

Position: Senior Mechanical Engineer (Contract)
Senior Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear Decommissioning Projects (General Overview)

Role

Summary:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer provides technical leadership and design expertise across nuclear decommissioning, waste retrieval, legacy plant modification, and hazard-reduction projects. The role involves producing and reviewing high-quality mechanical design deliverables, ensuring compliance with nuclear standards, and supporting multi-disciplinary teams through all engineering stages.

Key Responsibilities

* Lead the development of mechanical designs from concept through detailed design.

* Produce, review, and approve mechanical drawings, calculations, specifications, and design reports.

* Develop solutions for mechanical handling, remote operations, lifting equipment, containment systems, and waste processing equipment.

* Ensure mechanical designs comply with nuclear site processes, UK regulations, and relevant industry standards (BS, EN, ISO).

* Undertake engineering calculations to justify structural integrity, lifting capacity, pressure boundaries, and mechanical performance.

* Provide technical leadership to designers, graduates, and junior engineers.

* Work closely with CE&I, process, civil, and safety teams to produce integrated, safe design packages.

* Support hazard studies including HAZOPs, risk assessments, and ALARP evaluations.

* Participate in and lead design reviews, technical workshops, and stakeholder meetings.

* Produce mechanical equipment specifications, data sheets, and technical procurement documents.

* Review vendor drawings, calculations, and compliance statements.

* Conduct site surveys and walkdowns to verify existing plant conditions and support design development.

* Provide engineering support during installation, testing, and commissioning activities.

* Ensure all work follows strict configuration control and quality assurance processes.

* Contribute to safety case information where mechanical engineering input is required.

* Ensure designs consider operability, maintainability, reliability, and lifecycle requirements.

* Manage and resolve technical queries from the supply chain, fabricators, and site teams.

* Support project planning, estimates, and engineering work-scope development.

* Identify design risks and drive safe, compliant engineering solutions.

* Promote strong nuclear safety culture and adherence to engineering best practice.

Essential Skills & Experience

* Proven experience as a mechanical engineer in nuclear or other highly regulated industries.

* Strong capability in mechanical design, engineering substantiation, and technical leadership.

* Competence with relevant design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Inventor, Solid Works).

* Strong understanding of lifting operations, mechanical handling, remote tooling, and engineered safety systems.

* Ability to review and approve mechanical deliverables to a high standard.

* Effective communicator able to work collaboratively in multi-discipline teams.

Desirable Experience

* Experience on decommissioning, waste retrieval, or legacy facility remediation projects.

* Familiarity with Sellafield or Magnox engineering processes and drawing standards.

* Understanding of design for manufacture, fabrication methods, and CE marking