Principal Mechanical Engineer in Whitehaven

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Egremont, Carlisle, GB, CA24 3HZ and Whitehaven, Cumbria; Hybrid work arrangements possible.

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF70329

Lead Engineering Excellence in Nuclear Decommissioning

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 Engineer at either of our Westlake’s Science Park, Moor Row or Warrington, Cheshire sites.

The role

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role in one of the UK’s major civil nuclear decommissioning programmes. Working as a senior technical authority within a multidisciplinary engineering environment, you’ll drive the integration of complex mechanical systems and develop innovative solutions that directly support the safe deconstruction and long‑term management of nuclear facilities.

You’ll lead engineering teams, oversee high‑integrity technical outputs, safeguard design quality, and act as a primary interface for customers—while mentoring engineers and championing continuous improvement across projects. This role places you at the technical forefront of a major expansion within the Cavendish Nuclear Design Services Alliance.

Day‑to‑day responsibilities

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver high‑quality technical solutions.
• Supervise and mentor engineers and technical specialists to ensure performance and development.
• Act as a key liaison with customers, ensuring transparent communication and technical clarity.
• Oversee production, review, and approval of engineering outputs—including calculations, specifications, and reports.
• Champion safety, quality, and engineering best practice across all project activities.

This is a full‑time position working 37 hours, 5 days per week, based at either of our Westlake’s Science Park, Moor Row or Warrington, Cheshire sites.

Essential experience

• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and delivering complex technical projects.
• Proven ability to supervise and mentor engineers and technical specialists.
• Strong background in producing, reviewing, and approving detailed engineering outputs.
• Demonstrated expertise in applying procedures, codes, and standards to ensure compliance and integrity.
• Track record of effective customer engagement, issue resolution, and technical support.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline.
• 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 benefit allowing employees to buy additional leave or sell up to one working week of annual leave.
• ‘Be Kind Day’ allowing employees to take one working day’s paid leave per year to undertake volunteering work.
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

We’re Cavendish Nuclear — a team of c5,000 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.

Join us and discover how far we can go, together.

Inclusive Employment

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 careers@babcockinternational.com 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.