At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex projects in a dynamic nuclear environment, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Company: Join a diverse team at a leading engineering firm committed to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a personalised career path, private medical insurance, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Supportive culture with opportunities for growth and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in safety-critical projects while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering or Project Management; experience in regulated environments preferred.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly capable Project Manager – Mechanical Equipment/Valves to lead the delivery of complex contract packages across a major nuclear programme. This role is ideal for project professionals who thrive in technically challenging environments and want to take ownership of high‑value, safety‑critical engineering packages. You will be responsible for ensuring that mechanical equipment and valve packages are delivered safely, on time, to budget, and in full compliance with nuclear quality and technical requirements. Working at the centre of a multidisciplinary environment, you will collaborate with engineering, commercial, quality, manufacturing, and site teams to ensure seamless delivery across the full lifecycle.
Key Responsibilities
- Drive contract and package delivery to meet safety, schedule, cost, and technical performance requirements.
- Monitor programme progress, tracking milestones, risks, deadlines, and budget performance, and reporting to senior stakeholders.
- Manage and resolve issues across the contract, escalating risks and ensuring timely resolution of NCRs, technical queries, and manufacturing challenges.
- Lead contract administration including variations, claims, instructions, and commercial governance (with Commercial Manager support).
- Oversee Tier 1 supply chain performance, ensuring nuclear safety and quality across up to 100+ international Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers.
- Ensure Level 3 schedules are developed, maintained, and aligned with overall project schedules.
- Support qualification activities to demonstrate nuclear safety performance of mechanical equipment and valves.
- Coordinate with site teams to ensure all pre‑shipment and delivery requirements are met.
- Secure and manage project resources, ensuring SQEP compliance and identifying capability gaps.
- Develop and implement delivery strategies aligned with the Programme Execution Plan (PEP).
- Maintain strong stakeholder communication, ensuring alignment across engineering, commercial, and site teams.
- Apply Earned Value Management (EVM) and other commercial reporting tools.
- Embed continuous improvement, capturing lessons learned and best practice.
- Interface with other programmes to maintain a holistic view of project progress and cross‑programme dependencies.
Qualifications Required Skills
- Proven experience delivering projects in technically complex, highly regulated environments, ideally nuclear or similar safety‑critical sectors.
- Engineering design and execution strategies.
- Managing multi‑discipline EPCM projects.
- Procurement and delivery of complex contracts.
- Cost, risk, schedule, and change control, including Earned Value tools.
- Commercial close‑out and claims negotiation.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship‑building skills.
- Excellent project management, financial management, and change management capability.
- Proficient with scheduling, estimating, risk, and project controls tools.
- Experience managing contractors and consultants on major construction projects, ideally under NEC or FIDIC frameworks.
- Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills with the ability to influence across teams.
Required Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or Project Management, or equivalent military experience.
Desirable Skills
- Experience working on nuclear new build projects.
- Experience within nuclear, energy, or other highly regulated environments.
- Experience supporting construction reporting and performance analysis.
Additional Information Benefits
- A personalised career path and a rewarding management style.
- A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries.
- Private Medical Insurance.
- Cycle & Tech Scheme.
- Employee assistance programme.
- Life insurance & Pension Scheme.
- Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings.
- Flexible way of working (role dependent).
We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected — Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.
Project Manager – Mechanical Equipment / Valves in Taunton employer: ALTEN LTD - UK
ALTEN is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where project managers can thrive in technically challenging roles within the nuclear sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, a diverse range of engineering projects, and a commitment to work-life balance through flexible working options, ALTEN fosters a supportive culture that values collaboration and innovation. Employees benefit from comprehensive health insurance, a pension scheme, and regular team-building activities, making it an attractive place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Project Manager – Mechanical Equipment / Valves in Taunton
✨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 ALTEN LTD - UK.
✨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 ALTEN LTD - UK love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of ALTEN LTD - UK 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 Project Manager – Mechanical Equipment / Valves in Taunton
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 ALTEN LTD - UK and the Project Manager – Mechanical Equipment / Valves 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 ALTEN LTD - UK
✨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 ALTEN LTD - UK.
✨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 ALTEN LTD - UK.
✨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 ALTEN LTD - UK, making you a more appealing candidate.
