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- Tasks: Lead engineering solutions for complex mechanical and saltwater systems in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a major organisation managing high-profile maritime infrastructure in Portsmouth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, enhanced pension, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safety and reliability in a unique engineering role.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and significant experience in regulated environments.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with excellent career progression and wellbeing support.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 68000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer who enjoys solving complex technical problems, improving asset reliability and ensuring engineering systems are safe and compliant? If you’re looking for a role with real impact across one of the UK’s most unique and high-profile infrastructure environments, this could be the perfect opportunity.
We’re supporting a major organisation responsible for engineering governance, assurance and asset management across a large, highly regulated maritime estate in Portsmouth. You’ll join a specialist team of senior engineers who support mission-critical mechanical and saltwater systems, working in an environment where no two days are the same.
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll be a key part of the Engineering, Assurance & Compliance team, providing technical leadership across mechanical systems, rotating machinery, hydraulic systems and saltwater infrastructure.
You’ll take ownership of complex engineering challenges, drive safe-to-operate assurance, and make sure assets are managed, maintained and developed in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.
In this role, you will:
- Provide engineering governance and assurance for mechanical and saltwater systems
- Own technical issues, produce safety management systems and unblock engineering problems
- Review asset condition and present findings to asset owners
- Support the development and implementation of maintenance strategies (including Condition & Risk-Based Maintenance)
- Contribute to updates of Asset Management Plans and long-term improvement strategies
- Collaborate with engineering teams to drive solutions and continuous improvement
- Support efforts aligned with Net Zero Carbon engineering strategies
This is a senior-level engineering role where your decisions genuinely influence safety, reliability and strategic infrastructure planning.
To succeed as a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll need:
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
- Chartered status or working toward chartership (CEng preferred)
- Significant experience in mechanical engineering within a regulated or infrastructure environment
- Strong technical understanding of saltwater systems, hydraulic systems, rotating machinery
- Experience creating and implementing maintenance strategies
- Ability to balance systems-level thinking with component-level detail
- Knowledge of compliance requirements for mechanical systems within built or maritime estates
- Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder-management skills
You’re a confident and influential engineer who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems and supporting others. You think strategically, can explain complex engineering concepts clearly, and work well with both senior stakeholders and technical teams.
You’ll be:
- Organised and proactive
- Engaging and collaborative
- Skilled at communicating technical information
- Driven by quality, safety and continuous improvement
£60,000–£68,000 salary
25 days holiday + bank holidays
Enhanced pension scheme
Life assurance
Group income protection
Internal benefits & discounts programme
Cycle to Work scheme
Professional development & career progression
Wellbeing & occupational health services
Reward & recognition initiatives
If you’re an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer looking for a role where your expertise truly makes an impact, we’d love to hear from you.
Apply today — or reach out for a confidential chat.
Principal Mechanical Engineer employer: Kingdom People
Contact Detail:
Kingdom People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in regulated environments. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that might not even be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and problem-solving skills. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve tackled complex engineering challenges, as this will show your expertise and confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to us. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your expertise in mechanical engineering, especially in regulated environments, to show us you’re the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about this position. Share examples of how you've tackled complex engineering challenges and contributed to safety and compliance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t shy away from detailing your technical knowledge in saltwater systems, hydraulic systems, and rotating machinery. We want to see how your background aligns with the responsibilities of the Principal Mechanical Engineer role.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kingdom People
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll need to showcase your deep understanding of mechanical systems, hydraulic systems, and saltwater infrastructure. Brush up on the latest technologies and regulations in these areas, and be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex engineering challenges in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires you to provide technical leadership and drive solutions. Prepare examples of how you've led teams or projects, particularly in regulated environments. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively with both technical teams and senior stakeholders.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've unblocked engineering problems or improved asset reliability. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and clearly illustrate your impact on previous projects.
✨Align with Company Values
Research the organisation's commitment to safety, compliance, and Net Zero Carbon strategies. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of improving engineering governance and assurance.
