Lead Mechanical Engineer

The Mechanical Engineering Lead will work collaboratively with the Customer within the Mechanical Handling and Building Services teams to provide technical support on Babcock non-nuclear and nuclear mechanical handling assets and facilities within the Devonport Dockyard site; for example, cranes, lifting equipment, and maintenance facilities. This role may include, but is not limited to:

• Being the technical interface with the customer, providing professional and flexible technical accountability for the ongoing operations and maintenance of DRDL extant mechanical handling assets.
• Ensuring that all mechanical aspects of facility modifications, redesigns, and new infrastructure are scoped, developed, and delivered to meet operational requirements, safety standards, and compliance obligations.
• Leading a small team of mechanical handling and building services engineers supporting various projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage directly with the customer to understand requirements, provide mechanical engineering support, and attend Authorization Group meetings.
• Conduct periodic reviews of maintenance regimes and activities.
• Specify replacement equipment/components and support the production of configuration documentation for permanent modifications.
• Scope, design, and propose modifications to existing assets or new facilities based on customer needs and system limitations.
• Engage in the full lifecycle development of mechanical projects, from conceptual design through to implementation and maintenance.
• Maintain configuration of technical drawings and documentation.
• Assess and approve technical documentation prior to customer submission, ensuring technical, regulatory, and safety considerations have been addressed.
• Lead and coordinate a small team of mechanical engineers, providing direction, mentorship, and oversight.
• Liaise with multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders to align mechanical support with broader infrastructure projects.
• Support the planning and execution of installation, commissioning, and testing phases as needed.
• Provide technical input to project documentation, risk assessments, and progress reporting.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree (minimum) in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline; Master's degree or working towards Chartered Engineer (CEng) status preferred.
• Typically 5+ years of relevant mechanical engineering experience in a highly regulated industry (e.g., nuclear, maritime, infrastructure, oil and gas, etc.).
• Knowledge and awareness of cranes, crane safety, and associated mechanical handling systems.
• Proficient with electrical CAD software and tools such as ETAP, AutoCAD Electrical, or similar.
• Proficiency in understanding/production of electrical/mechanical engineering drawings.
• Proficiency in understanding/production of hand calculations/FEA.
• Experience in the design process and producing evidence of the design and substantiation of systems and components.

Desirable Attributes

• Good communication skills—makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.
• Understanding of nuclear industry and/or other safety-critical environments.
• Experience working in a dockyard, marine, Defence, or MoD environments, particularly with asset lifecycle support.
• Experience with cranes/lifting equipment and crane operations, especially safety-critical and safety-related systems.
• Knowledge of electrical/mechanical/hydraulic systems typical to cranes and hauling equipment.
• Knowledge of mechanical building services, including HVAC, compressed air, water systems, and thermal/fluid systems.

About Us

Quest Global is an organization at the forefront of innovation and one of the world's fastest-growing engineering services firms with deep domain knowledge and recognized expertise in the top OEMs across seven industries. We are a twenty-five-year-old company on a journey to becoming a centenary organization, driven by aspiration, hunger, and humility. We seek humble geniuses who believe engineering can make the impossible possible; innovators inspired by technology and innovation, committed to designing, developing, and testing as trusted partners for Fortune 500 customers. As a team of remarkably diverse engineers, we aim to build a brighter future for all. If you want to contribute to meaningful work and be part of an organization that values collective success and learning from failure, we would love to hear from you. We are expanding our Mechanical Engineering capabilities at all experience levels and are eager to hear if you're ready to take the next step in your career. You must be a sole UK national and qualify for Security Clearance.