Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter

Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter

Exeter Full-Time 55000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Advance Training & Recruitment Services

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead mechanical design for major water projects and mentor a dynamic team.
  • Company: Leading engineering consultancy focused on water and wastewater infrastructure.
  • Benefits: Salary up to £75,000, hybrid working, and comprehensive benefits package.
  • Other info: Excellent career progression and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the water sector while developing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in UK water sector required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.

  • Principal / Associate Mechanical Engineer – Water
  • Location: Exeter (Hybrid) Salary: Up to £75,000 + Excellent Benefits

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Principal / Associate Mechanical Engineer to join a leading engineering consultancy delivering major water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the UK.

This is a senior role offering a balance of technical delivery (60-70%) and leadership/management responsibilities (30-40%).

You’ll provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary water projects while mentoring engineers, supporting project delivery and helping to grow and develop the team.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead the mechanical design and technical delivery of water and wastewater projects.
  • Act as the mechanical discipline lead on multidisciplinary schemes.
  • Provide technical oversight, reviewing and approving designs, calculations and specifications.
  • Mentor, coach and develop engineers and technicians within the team.
  • Support resource planning, project delivery and technical quality.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and key stakeholders.
  • Promote best practice in health & safety, sustainability and engineering excellence.

About You

  • Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
  • Chartered (or working towards Chartership).
  • Significant experience delivering mechanical design within the UK water sector.
  • Strong understanding of pumping systems, treatment processes, mechanical plant and associated equipment.
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and mentoring engineers.
  • Knowledge of CAD/Revit and BIM principles is advantageous.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Full UK driving licence.
  • What’s on Offer
  • Hybrid working from the Exeter office.
  • Opportunity to lead the delivery of major UK water infrastructure projects.
  • A varied role combining hands‑on technical design with leadership and team development.
  • Excellent career progression, flexible working and a comprehensive benefits package.

Please reach out to Molly Brown for more information.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter employer: Advance Training & Recruitment Services

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Advance Training & Recruitment Services

Contact Details:

Advance Training & Recruitment Services Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter

Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events

Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like Advance Training & Recruitment Services.

Connect with Professors & Peers

Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!

Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience

When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like Advance Training & Recruitment Services love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Advance Training & Recruitment Services and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter

Mechanical Design
Technical Leadership
Project Delivery
Mentoring
Pumping Systems
Treatment Processes
Mechanical Plant Knowledge

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!

Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.

Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!

Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for Advance Training & Recruitment Services and the Principal Mechanical Engineer role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!

How to prepare for a job interview at Advance Training & Recruitment Services

Brush Up on Your CAD Skills

Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at Advance Training & Recruitment Services.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!

Show Your Team Spirit

As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at Advance Training & Recruitment Services.

Discuss Your Future Goals

Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with Advance Training & Recruitment Services, making you a more appealing candidate.