Senior Mechanical Engineer, Water Infrastructure Innovator

Market Water

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

With a number of roles available, this is a rare chance for you to step into a newly created role at the forefront of the UK’s most significant water sector transformation in decades. If you’re driven by meaningful engineering challenges and want your work to directly improve the lives of millions, this opportunity puts you right at the heart of it.

From early-stage feasibility and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) studies through to detailed design, commissioning and operational handover, you'll play a key role in shaping innovative engineering solutions that improve essential water and wastewater services for millions of customers.

You'll help define project scope, develop investment-ready solutions, assess technical risks and establish robust delivery strategies that set projects up for successful execution. You’ll collaborate with major water companies, including United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent Water, and Anglian Water shaping and delivering high-value, complex Design & Build CAPEX and OPEX programmes.

Your remit will include:

• Leading and contributing to FEED and optioneering studies, developing technical solutions that balance performance, risk, sustainability and whole-life cost.
• Engineering and Design of critical water and wastewater assets — from pumping stations to treatment plants.
• Value engineering and buildability improvements that make real-world impact.
• Feasibility studies, detailed designs, and commissioning support for major infrastructure.
• High-quality technical outputs including layouts, specifications, datasheets, and P&IDs.
• Equipment sizing and specification across pumps, blowers, valves, screening, dosing, and odour control systems.
• Site investigations and engagement with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
• Achieve compliance with UK water industry standards, health & safety, and environmental requirements.
• Technical guidance, mentoring, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
• Project planning support including scheduling, risk, change control, and forecasting.
• Early integration of constructability and commissioning into design solutions.

You won’t just be part of the sector’s transformation — you’ll be a key part of defining it!

• Once‑in‑a‑generation investment in UK water infrastructure.
• Opportunity to collaborate with leading UK water companies, securing exposure to national‑scale programmes.
• End‑to‑end project influence — far beyond design alone.
• Career‑defining engineering challenges with real social impact.
• A platform to innovate, challenge convention, and shape future resilience.

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional Membership:
  Working towards or holding chartered status (e.g., IMechE or equivalent).
• Sound understanding of mechanical process based systems used in sectors such as water/wastewater/effluent/biomass treatment.
• Knowledge of UK industry standards, H&S, and environmental compliance.
• Robust understanding of current health, safety and welfare legislation
• Experience across the project lifecycle within infrastructure or similar complex environments.
• Familiarity with design tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, or BIM.

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximise your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well-being benefits to our global giving and volunteering…