Principal Mechanical Engineer

Sweco; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead a talented team in designing innovative engineering solutions. The ideal candidate will have expertise in mechanical engineering, particularly within water treatment, and will drive sustainable practices while mentoring junior engineers. This full-time position offers an opportunity to influence key projects with real impact.

Qualifications

• Strong background in mechanical engineering, preferably in water treatment.
• Proven leadership experience capable of inspiring teams.
• Deep understanding of sustainability and climate change impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Senior Mechanical Engineers in innovative project designs.
• Oversee compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Mentor and develop team members to enhance their skills.

Skills

Leadership

Sustainability principles

Mechanical design expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Principal Mechanical Engineer – Sweco

Sweco

Location: Peterborough, England, United Kingdom

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About the @one Alliance

The Anglian Water @one Alliance is a totally collaborative organisation made up of nine partner companies (Anglian Water, SWECO, Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Binnies, MMB, MWH Treatment, and Skanska) and an extended supply chain, delivering over half of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme.

We are gearing up for our most exciting and challenging Asset Management Period yet, known as AMP8, which will see us deliver a programme of work larger than we’ve ever delivered before. We’ll be embarking on a new kind of project delivery focusing on nature‑based solutions like wetlands and urban drainage schemes.

We are driving change, empowering us to set global benchmarks and build a better environment, with the opportunity to offer enhanced growth and development to our workforce.

With such an exciting portfolio of projects planned for AMP8 to keep the water flowing across the region, our ability to manage our work and outperform against our customer’s expectations will come under greater scrutiny.

We need aspiring driven talent to help us achieve our ambitious targets. Are you ready to join us as we prepare to deliver the most creative and innovative AMP we have ever seen?

About Sweco

Transforming society together, we're planning and designing sustainable communities and cities of the future.

Solving the great societal challenges of our time is more relevant, demanding and inspiring than ever before. At Sweco, we bring together experts with different perspectives and skills to develop solutions that address the challenges of urbanisation, harness the positive power of digitalisation and make societies more sustainable.

We offer our clients a combination of global expertise and local presence, adapted to their business and reality. Our ambition is to be our clients’ most relevant partner, working together to help them solve their challenges, today and into the future.

To support our objectives of collaboration across the business whilst providing our workforce with the agility to achieve a healthy work/life balance, we ask our employees to have office or site presence on an average of three days a week.

With a continued expectation to provide the highest standards of project design whilst ensuring we use innovation and creativity to deliver more with less, we are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our large and dynamic team.

What will you be doing as our new Principal Mechanical Engineer?

As our Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll lead the Senior Mechanical Engineers in designing and delivering cutting‑edge value‑driven mechanical engineering solutions that adhere to water quality standards while reducing carbon, enhancing natural capital, and embracing the challenges of climate change.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Foster innovative ways of working to achieve sustainable outcomes rather than outputs.
• Represent the @one Alliance as the mechanical engineering authority, providing expert guidance on quality and compliance issues.

Discipline Management

• Develop procedures, standards, and guidance to achieve a "right-first-time" philosophy.
• Support the mechanical design team in delivering complex projects with suitable resources and methods.
• Provide direction and guidance to the team in appropriate design methods and assets.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure competency and performance and manage supplier frameworks.
• As part of the asset standards governance process identify, support, implement and approve standard products for delivery efficiency and consistency in projects.

Project Delivery

• Support the identification of value‑driven solutions at Stage 1 of projects.
• Conduct audits (internal and externa) to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications.
• Lead the resolution of non‑compliance issues, competency gaps, and procedural improvements.
• Offer expert direction for complex design challenges and stakeholder engagement.

Health & Safety

• Drive excellence in compliance with CDM regulations, ensuring safe and compliant designs.
• Conduct audits on mechanical safety standards (e.g., HAZOP, DSEAR) and lead improvements.
• Proficiency and application of Regulation 31 in relation to mechanical assets in water projects.

People & Team Development

• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and career guidance to the mechanical engineering team.
• Champion professional development and qualifications while fostering an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment.

Transformation & Innovation

• Inspire a culture of experimentation, safe failure, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the introduction of new technologies and techniques to advance performance and sustainability.

About You

To thrive in this role, you’ll need a strong background in mechanical engineering, preferably within water treatment or similar industries. Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire teams and drive innovation. A deep understanding of sustainability principles, including reducing carbon and protecting natural capital. Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills, and a passion for mentoring, professional development, and fostering a positive workplace culture.

If you believe you have the skill set required, are keen to join a business with genuine opportunities for career progression, then we’d love to hear from you.

Let’s transform society together at Sweco.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

It’s important to us that all our colleagues thrive at work - we strive to have a friendly and inclusive culture which respects the contribution individuals can bring to Sweco. We aim to promote equality, inclusivity and diversity for everyone.

Here at Sweco we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity.

We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant to ensure those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly. To find out more, The Armed Forces Covenant – Our Commitments | Sweco UK.

We are an accredited Real Living Wage Employer which reflects our commitment to fair pay and support for all colleagues.

We are also proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, and will interview applicants covered by the Equality Act 2010 that opt into the guaranteed interview scheme on the application form and meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If I have a disability, can I get help (e.g. “reasonable adjustments”) with the application process?

If you’re an applicant with a disability that requires a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to use the online application system and need an alternative method for applying, please contact [e-mail] for assistance. In order to address your request the following information is needed: Name, The best method for contacting you (Phone or email), The position title, Requisition/vacancy number.

Upon receipt of this information, we’ll respond to you promptly to obtain more information about your request.

Please note: we reserve the right to close vacancies before the advertised closing date.

Seniority level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Engineering and Information Technology

Industries: Civil Engineering, Architecture and Planning, and Environmental Services