Senior Mechanical Engineer

Balfour; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer in Peterborough. This role focuses on designing water solutions, leading sustainable initiatives, and mentoring junior engineers. Ideal candidates will have a degree in Mechanical Engineering, experience in mechanical design, and leadership skills. The position offers hybrid working arrangements and competitive benefits.

Benefits

Smart working – staggered start and finish times

25 days paid annual leave

Family-friendly policies

Pension plan

Share incentive plan

Qualifications

• Preferably chartered, or working towards chartered status.
• Proven experience in mechanical design – ideally in the water sector or similar complex infrastructure environment.
• Strong understanding of industry standards, health and safety legislation, and construction principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and review mechanical designs to ensure compliance, safety, and performance excellence.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to high quality standards.
• Drive Health & Safety by design, identifying improvements and reducing whole-life costs.
• Champion sustainability, carbon reduction, and innovation across the design lifecycle.

Skills

Mechanical design

Leadership and mentoring

Collaboration

Proficiency in CAD

Strong communication skills

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

Tools

CAD software

Job description

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Senior Mechanical Engineer – Balfour Beatty (@one Alliance)

Location: Peterborough / Hybrid (2–3 days onsite with stakeholders)

Seniority Level: Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type: Full‑time

Job Function: Engineering and Information Technology

Industries: Construction

About the Role

Balfour Beatty plays a key role as part of Anglian Water’s one Alliance, a ground‑breaking collaboration between Anglian Water and eight industry‑leading partners: Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Binnies, MMB, MWH Treatment, Skanska and SWECO. Together, we deliver around 40% of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme. As we enter AMP8, our most ambitious Asset Management Period yet, we are taking on nature‑based, sustainable solutions such as wetlands and urban drainage schemes. We set global benchmarks in environmental infrastructure and empower our people with exceptional career growth opportunities.

As a Senior Mechanical Engineer within one of our four business units, you will be at the forefront of designing and delivering innovative water solutions. You will lead technical delivery, drive sustainable and cost‑effective design decisions, and guide junior engineers to deliver work that is safe, future‑proof, and built to last.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead and review mechanical designs to ensure compliance, safety, and performance excellence.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to high quality standards.
• Promote the use of digital tools and modular construction techniques.
• Drive Health & Safety by design, identifying improvements and reducing whole‑life costs.
• Champion sustainability, carbon reduction, and innovation across the design lifecycle.
• Mentor junior engineers and create a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
• Work closely with project and engineering leaders, contributing to strategic decisions.

Who We’re Looking For

• A degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline).
• Preferably chartered, or working towards chartered status.
• Proven experience in mechanical design – ideally in the water sector or similar complex infrastructure environment.
• Strong understanding of industry standards, health and safety legislation, and construction principles.
• Leadership experience with a passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
• Proficiency in CAD and engineering software.
• Confident decision‑maker, with a collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.

Business Units

Place‑Based Thinking: The largest and most complex projects across the Alliance, overseeing 19 catchments including Whitlingham, Flag Fen, Great Billing, Cotton Valley, Bedford, Colchester and Ipswich Cliff Quays. Projects involve north–south mains, pumping stations, high‑spilling overflows, and water recycling centres.

Water: Strategic support across the clean water network, covering system performance and infrastructure planning. We assess future hydraulic states, support capital scheme delivery and optimise network efficiency.

Water Recycling (East and West): Responsible for collection, conveyance and treatment of wastewater across an extensive network of over 76,000 km of sewerage infrastructure and 1,163 treatment centres.

Benefits

• Smart working – staggered start and finish times, up to 40% remote working where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro‑rata).
• Family‑friendly policies: 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and 4 weeks full pay for paternity/partner leave.
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and much more.

About Us

Balfour Beatty’s Highways business delivers major schemes, including motorway upgrade programmes, complex national infrastructure projects and regional investment programme works for National Highways. With a strong order book and a positive pipeline of opportunities, we put the road user at the heart of everything we do. We work safely, reduce carbon emissions and add social value to the communities we serve.

Diversity and Inclusion

We believe diversity and inclusion are essential to a successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we grow a diverse workforce and develop an inclusive culture where everyone can thrive. We are members of WISE, ENEI, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). We signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to commit to long‑term actions on Black inclusion. Balfour Beatty is a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence Employer Recognition Scheme and encourages applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long‑term health conditions, removing barriers to employment and offering interview opportunities when applicants meet minimum requirements. For more information, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/.

We are continually improving our resourcing process to ensure fairness and inclusivity for all. Please share feedback with us at [e-mail].