At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical engineering solutions for nuclear projects from bid to delivery.
- Company: Cavendish Nuclear, part of Babcock International Group, focused on clean energy and defence.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, matched pension scheme, health support, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to inclusivity and work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in critical sectors while enjoying flexible hybrid working arrangements.
- Qualifications: Engineering degree and experience in leading complex projects or bids.
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 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:
- As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll be 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, you’ll shape winning submissions that support long‑term growth across clean energy, defence, and nuclear decommissioning.
Day-to-day, you will be:
- 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 of the Principal Mechanical Engineer:
- Proven experience leading mechanical engineering activities within complex projects or bids.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including engagement with customers and suppliers.
- Experience managing engineering teams and coordinating multidisciplinary inputs.
- A sound understanding of engineering governance, assurance, and safety‑critical environments.
Qualifications for the Principal Mechanical Engineer:
- 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.
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 is a benefit that 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:
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.
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: 26/05/2026
Principal Mechanical Engineer - Hybrid Bids & Nuclear in England employer: Cavendish Nuclear
Cavendish Nuclear is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets purpose in the nuclear sector. With flexible hybrid working arrangements based in Warrington or Preston, employees benefit from generous holiday allowances, a matched pension scheme, and extensive professional development opportunities. The company fosters a supportive culture that prioritises work-life balance and inclusivity, empowering staff to contribute meaningfully to critical projects in clean energy and national security.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer - Hybrid Bids & Nuclear in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your skills as a Principal Mechanical Engineer. We want you to show them that you’re not just a fit for the role, but a perfect match for their team!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You’ll want to clearly articulate your experience and how it relates to the role. We suggest doing mock interviews with friends or mentors to get comfortable talking about your achievements and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the position. We believe this small gesture can keep you top of mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer - Hybrid Bids & Nuclear in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in leading mechanical engineering activities and managing multidisciplinary teams, as this will show us you’re a great fit for our needs.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your accomplishments! Use specific examples of how you've influenced project outcomes or developed innovative solutions in previous roles. This helps us understand the impact you can bring to our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role, and make sure your key skills and experiences stand out.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the position and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cavendish Nuclear
✨Know Your Engineering Fundamentals
Brush up on your mechanical engineering principles, especially those relevant to nuclear projects. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied these concepts in past bids or projects, as this will show your depth of knowledge and experience.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your ability to engage with various stakeholders, including customers and suppliers. Think about specific instances where your communication skills made a difference in project outcomes, as this role requires strong collaboration.
✨Demonstrate Technical Leadership
Be ready to talk about your experience leading engineering teams and managing multidisciplinary inputs. Share stories that illustrate your ability to ensure technical integrity and compliance with standards, which are crucial for the role.
✨Understand the Bid Process
Familiarise yourself with the bidding process in the nuclear sector. Discuss how you’ve contributed to winning submissions in the past, focusing on your role in developing innovative solutions and how you ensured they met customer requirements.
