Senior Mechanical Engineer - Water

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Water

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Jacobs

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative engineering solutions for the UK's water sector transformation.
  • Company: Join Jacobs, a leader in solving critical global challenges.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career-defining projects, and collaboration with top water companies.
  • Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and exposure to national-scale programmes.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on millions' lives through meaningful engineering challenges.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in complex project environments.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery, and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

With a number of roles available, this is a rare chance for you to step into a newly created role at the forefront of the UK’s most significant water sector transformation in decades.

If you’re driven by meaningful engineering challenges and want your work to directly improve the lives of millions, this opportunity puts you right at the heart of it.

From early‑stage feasibility and Front‑End Engineering Design (FEED) studies through to detailed design, commissioning and operational handover, you'll play a key role in shaping innovative engineering solutions that improve essential water and wastewater services for millions of customers.

You’ll help define project scope, develop investment‑ready solutions, assess technical risks and establish robust delivery strategies that set projects up for successful execution.

You’ll collaborate with major water companies, including United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent Water, and Anglian Water shaping and delivering high‑value, complex Design & Build CAPEX and OPEX programmes.

  • Your remit will include
  • Leading and contributing to FEED and optioneering studies, developing technical solutions that balance performance, risk, sustainability and whole‑life cost.
  • Engineering and design of critical water and wastewater assets — from pumping stations to treatment plants.
  • Value engineering and buildability improvements that make real‑world impact.
  • Feasibility studies, detailed designs, and commissioning support for major infrastructure.
  • High‑quality technical outputs including layouts, specifications, datasheets, and P&IDs.
  • Equipment sizing and specification across pumps, blowers, valves, screening, dosing, and odour control systems.
  • Site investigations and engagement with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
  • Achieve compliance with UK water industry standards, health & safety, and environmental requirements.
  • Technical guidance, mentoring, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
  • Project planning support including scheduling, risk, change control, and forecasting.
  • Early integration of constructability and commissioning into design solutions.

Why apply?

  • Once‑in‑a‑generation investment in UK water infrastructure.
  • Opportunity to collaborate with leading UK water companies, securing exposure to national‑scale programmes.
  • End‑to‑end project influence — far beyond design alone.
  • Career‑defining engineering challenges with real social impact.
  • A platform to innovate, challenge convention, and shape future resilience.
  • Here’s what you'll need
  • Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Professional membership or working towards chartered status (e. g., IMech E or equivalent).
  • Sound understanding of mechanical process‑based systems used in sectors such as water, wastewater, effluent, or biomass treatment.
  • Knowledge of UK industry standards, health & safety, and environmental compliance.
  • Robust understanding of current health, safety, and welfare legislation.
  • Experience across the project lifecycle within infrastructure or similar complex environments.
  • Familiarity with design tools such as Auto CAD, Revit, or BIM.
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Jacobs

Contact Details:

Jacobs Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Mechanical Engineer - Water

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 Jacobs.

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 Jacobs love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Jacobs 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 Senior Mechanical Engineer - Water

Mechanical Engineering
Front-End Engineering Design (FEED)
Project Lifecycle Management
Technical Risk Assessment
Value Engineering
Water and Wastewater Systems Design
Health and Safety Compliance

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 Jacobs and the Senior Mechanical Engineer - Water 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 Jacobs

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 Jacobs.

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 Jacobs.

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 Jacobs, making you a more appealing candidate.