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 the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at reasonable.adjustments@mottmac.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including:

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

 Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network. 

  If you're a service leaver, veteran, reservist or member of a military family, you can connect with our people through Armed Forces Careers - Connectr to ask questions, gain career insights and learn more about opportunities at Mott MacDonald.

• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.