At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical engineering solutions for nuclear projects from concept to execution.
- Company: Join Cavendish Nuclear, a key player in clean energy and defence.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, matched pension contributions, and health support.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in critical sectors while enjoying flexible working arrangements.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and experience in leading complex mechanical projects required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Warrington, Cheshire or Preston, Lancashire + Hybrid Working Arrangements
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Lead the engineering solutions shaping the future of nuclear projects. At Cavendish Nuclear, we're working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer within our Business Winning team, based at either Warrington or Preston, with flexible hybrid working.
This is a pivotal role where you'll lead the development of innovative mechanical engineering solutions during the bid phase - and then see those solutions brought to life as projects transition into delivery. It's a rare opportunity to influence outcomes from concept to execution in one of the UK's most critical sectors.
The role:
- Accountable for leading the mechanical engineering input into major bids and proposals, ensuring robust, safe, and commercially competitive technical solutions.
- Working closely with internal stakeholders and external partners to shape winning submissions that support long term growth across clean energy, defence, and nuclear decommissioning.
- Leading the mechanical engineering development of innovative technical solutions for bids and tenders.
- Owning the engineering scope, schedule, and delivery plans to meet customer and business requirements.
- Ensuring technical integrity, compliance with standards, and application of best engineering practice.
- Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, partners, and the supply chain to deliver robust bid solutions.
- Providing technical leadership and assurance across bidding activity and transition into project delivery.
The role is full time working 37 hours per week and can be based at Warrington, Cheshire or Preston, Lancashire with hybrid working patterns available. Occasional travel to other business or customer sites may be required.
Essential experience:
- Proven experience leading mechanical engineering activities within complex projects or bids.
- Experience managing engineering teams and coordinating multidisciplinary inputs.
- Integration with safety case development, or similar process in other high hazard environments.
- Design of remote operated mechanical handling equipment and design of wet process plants.
- Knowledge of mechanical engineering lifecycle (concept, design, manufacture, installation, commissioning and decommissioning).
Qualifications:
- Engineering degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline.
- Chartered Engineer status, or working towards chartership.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) / Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.
What we offer:
- Generous holiday allowance.
- Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance.
- Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+.
- Employee share scheme.
- Employee shopping savings portal.
- Payment of Professional Fees.
- Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave.
- Holiday Trading allows UK Cavendish employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement.
- Be Kind Day enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity.
- Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
Cavendish Nuclear is a team of 5,000 specialists and a core part of Babcock International Group. Here, you'll be part of something bigger. Across clean energy, defence, and civil decommissioning, your work will contribute to projects that are critical to energy security and national protection. Together, we're shaping a future that lasts - not only through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.
We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email with the subject header Reasonable adjustments requirement. We're committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone's free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working - please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.
Closing date: 22/06/2026
Locations
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer. in Cheshire, Warrington employer: Babcock International
Cavendish Nuclear is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Warrington or Preston with flexible hybrid working arrangements. Employees benefit from a generous holiday allowance, matched pension contributions, and comprehensive health support, alongside excellent opportunities for professional development and community engagement through initiatives like Be Kind Day. Join us to contribute to vital projects in clean energy and defence while enjoying a culture that prioritises work-life balance and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Design Engineer. in Cheshire, Warrington
✨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 Babcock International.
✨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 Babcock International love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Babcock International 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 Design Engineer. in Cheshire, Warrington
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 Babcock International and the Principal Mechanical Design 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 Babcock International
✨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 Babcock International.
✨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 Babcock International.
✨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 Babcock International, making you a more appealing candidate.
