Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location/s: Glasgow, Altrincham, Bristol, Derby, Tadley; UK
Recruiter contact: Erinda Hazizi

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. 

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual. 

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About the business unit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

Overview of the role

We’re looking for Principal Mechanical Engineers to join our Nuclear, Defence and Civil division. This is an opportunity to take a leading technical role across a diverse portfolio of complex projects, including nuclear decommissioning, defence and nuclear new build.

Working as part of multidisciplinary teams, you will lead and support the delivery of mechanical engineering solutions from feasibility and concept through to detailed design. You’ll work closely with clients and colleagues across different disciplines, providing technical leadership and assurance while helping to deliver safe, practical and high-quality engineering solutions.

As a Principal Engineer, you’ll also play an important role in supporting and developing other engineers, sharing your technical knowledge and helping to build capability within the wider team.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Take a leading technical role in the delivery of mechanical engineering across multidisciplinary projects, from feasibility and concept through to detailed design
• Work across a diverse portfolio of projects including nuclear decommissioning, defence and nuclear new build
• Develop, review and deliver mechanical engineering designs and technical solutions for complex projects
• Produce and oversee high-quality engineering documentation, calculations, specifications and technical deliverables
• Provide technical assurance through the review, checking and approval of engineering outputs
• Work closely with clients to understand their requirements and develop appropriate engineering solutions
• Provide technical direction and support the resolution of complex engineering challenges
• Collaborate with engineers and specialists across multiple disciplines to deliver integrated, fit-for-purpose solutions
• Ensure safety, quality and relevant regulatory requirements are considered throughout design and project delivery
• Present and communicate technical solutions clearly in client and project environments
• Support bids, proposals and the identification of opportunities with existing and prospective clients
• Visit client sites as required to support project delivery and develop strong working relationships
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring and support to engineers within the team

Candidate specification

Requirements:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a relevant engineering discipline
• Chartered status with the IMechE or another relevant professional body, or demonstrable progress towards chartership
• Strong experience in mechanical engineering design within a highly regulated industry, ideally within nuclear, defence or a similarly regulated environment
• Experience taking technical responsibility for the delivery, review and assurance of mechanical engineering work
• Broad knowledge of relevant industry standards, legislation and engineering principles
• Experience working across different stages of the engineering design lifecycle, including feasibility, FEED and detailed design
• The ability to solve complex engineering problems and make sound technical decisions
• Experience working with and providing technical leadership within multidisciplinary teams
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate and present technical information clearly
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of delivering engineering work within agreed programme and budget requirements
• The ability to manage and prioritise your workload across multiple projects
• A collaborative approach, actively seeking input from other engineers and specialists to achieve the best project outcomes
• A commitment to continuous professional development and supporting the development of others

We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. 

Due to the nature and sensitivity of some of our projects, successful candidates may be required to apply for and obtain the appropriate level of UK Security Clearance.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working  

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion 

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know