Senior Mechanical Design Engineer in Reading

We are seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Design Engineer to join our growing engineering team. Reporting to the Head of Mechanical Design, with day‑to‑day accountability to the Design Manager, this is a senior technical role responsible for leading the delivery of mechanical design outputs across a varied portfolio of water, wastewater, and process engineering projects. Our portfolio spans municipal water and wastewater treatment, industrial process, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and data centre sectors across Ireland and the UK. The successful candidate will be a technically strong, delivery‑focused engineer who can work autonomously, lead multidisciplinary design interfaces, and mentor junior engineers, while upholding our commitment to design quality, Health & Safety, and client satisfaction.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the delivery of mechanical design outputs across all project stages — site surveys, optioneering, feasibility, detailed design, and tender pricing.
• Develop and review mechanical designs, calculations, and specifications for pumping systems, pipework, tanks, process equipment, HVAC, and associated plant.
• Produce key deliverables including GA drawings, equipment schedules, P&IDs, procurement specifications, hydraulic calculations, and construction‑ready packages.
• Resolve complex technical issues and design deviations with sound, clearly documented engineering judgement.
• Own mechanical design interfaces with Civil & Structural, EICA, and Process disciplines to ensure coordinated, clash‑free outputs, and support the BIM team with accurate 3D models (Plant 3D / Revit MEP).
• Participate in design reviews, HAZOP/safety studies, and constructability workshops.
• Manage design delivery performance, Design Change Control, and programme milestones, keeping the MIDP up to date.
• Liaise with clients, subcontractors, and manufacturers, and project‑manage third‑party design packages for quality, compliance, and constructability.
• Uphold Health & Safety in design, complying with CDM, PSDP, and all relevant H&S legislation across Ireland and the UK.
• Apply WIMES, ISO, BS, and client‑specific standards so all outputs meet statutory and contractual requirements, identify and document key project risks.
• Mentor and quality‑check the work of junior engineers, supporting their development towards chartership, and contribute to growing the mechanical design function.
• Promote digital design tools and off‑site, manufacture‑ready approaches, support tender pricing and bid preparation, and stay abreast of emerging technical solutions.
• Undertake any additional duties reasonably required to support project delivery or wider organisational objectives.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

The ideal candidate will be a technically accomplished mechanical engineer with strong design delivery experience in water, wastewater, and process environments, combined with the leadership capability to guide junior engineers and manage complex design packages.

Key Requirements Include:

• Qualifications & Professional Status: BEng or MEng in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline — essential. Member of a relevant professional body (IMechE or Engineers Ireland / IEI), working towards Incorporated or Chartered Engineer status. Chartered membership (CEng) is an advantage but not essential providing the candidate is actively working towards it. Minimum of 7–10 years’ experience in a mechanical design engineering role within a water, wastewater, or process engineering environment. Full driving licence essential; willingness to travel across Ireland and the UK is required.
• Technical Knowledge & Design Skills: Expert‑level mechanical design skills across pumps, pipework, tanks, HVAC, and process equipment for water and wastewater treatment applications. Proven proficiency in hydraulic calculations and detailed design/construction drawings, producing clear deliverables from concept through to construction‑ready packages. In‑depth knowledge of the layout and interconnectivity of typical water and wastewater treatment processes and equipment, including pumping systems. Deep knowledge of WIMES, ISO, BS, and client‑specific mechanical standards applicable to water and wastewater infrastructure. Experience with 3D design tools — AutoCAD Plant 3D and/or Revit MEP — is highly desirable. Good working knowledge of MS Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and standard engineering design tools.
• Sector Experience: Water and wastewater design experience is essential; experience across municipal, industrial, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and data centre sectors is highly desirable. Commercial design experience, including tender pricing, procurement, and management of third‑party design packages, is desirable.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Strong team leader and decision‑maker, able to motivate individuals and manage design workloads across multiple concurrent projects, delivering high‑quality outputs on time and within budget. Proven capability to mentor and support junior and graduate engineers in their technical and professional development. Willingness to contribute to technical knowledge networks and to build a career within an industry‑leading organisation.
• Personal Attributes & Other Skills: Strong communication skills with the ability to interact confidently with other engineering disciplines, clients, subcontractors, and supply chain partners. Excellent problem‑solving ability; able to use own initiative, adjust as issues arise, and provide practical engineering solutions under pressure. High level of motivation and commitment to professional development and continuous improvement. Ability to work effectively as part of a team and to contribute constructively at project and design meetings.