Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead engineering excellence, mentor teams, and drive innovation in pump design.
- Company: Renowned manufacturer in the water and wastewater industry.
- Benefits: Up to £80,000 salary, generous holiday, pension, and enhanced parental leave.
- Why this job: Shape the future of pumping technology and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Degree in mechanical engineering and 10+ years in pump design.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
Kingston Barnes is currently recruiting for a Principal Engineer on behalf of our client in the Bedford area. Our client is a well-known manufacturer of pumping plant for the water or wastewater industry.
The Role: You will provide technical leadership, drive engineering excellence and best practice, mentor the engineering teams, and ensure the team delivers high quality equipment to their customers. Alongside this you'll collaborate.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead innovation and R&D to bring new ideas and technologies into the company.
- Improve how projects are reviewed and approved.
- Translate customer needs into clear technical requirements for the design, testing and manufacturing teams.
- Shape product strategy, working closely with sales to ensure products match market demand.
- Integrate technology from the parent company into local products where beneficial.
- Standardise products to reduce costs and speed up development.
- Support lower-cost sourcing by helping find efficient and affordable suppliers.
- Provide expert technical support to customers.
- Act as the technical authority for design, ensuring safety, accuracy and compliance with standards.
- Oversee equipment selection so customers get the right equipment for their needs.
- Lead cost-reduction and design-for-manufacture initiatives to keep products competitive.
- Conduct root-cause investigations when problems occur, and ensure permanent fixes are put in place.
- Maintain compliance with industry regulations and help shape future standards.
- Lead on ATEX requirements, ensuring products meet strict safety standards.
About you:
- A degree in mechanical engineering.
- 10+ years experience designing and analysing pumps, motors, or other rotating machinery.
- Strong commercial awareness able to align engineering decisions with customer and market needs.
- Deep understanding of how pumps work, including hydraulics, materials, thermodynamics, vibration, and system performance.
- Familiarity with industry standards (ISO, API, HI) and experience testing and validating designs.
- Able to read complex technical drawings and approve technical reports.
- Strong problem-solving, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Highly self-motivated, detail-focused and quality driven.
Benefits:
- Salary up to £80,000.
- Monday to Friday.
- Pension 3% employer 5% employee.
- Life Assurance 4 x salary.
- 25 days holiday + banks, and the ability to buy another 5 days.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave.
- EAP.
- Enhanced sick pay.
If you are interested, please call Josh Hoyle on 01173252233 or apply online.
Principal Engineer in Luton employer: Kingston Barnes Engineering
Contact Detail:
Kingston Barnes Engineering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Engineer in Luton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the engineering field, especially those who work in the water or wastewater industry. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your past projects and achievements in pump design and analysis. This will help you stand out during interviews and demonstrate your technical leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers, especially around technical questions related to hydraulics and thermodynamics. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application directly, and it shows you're serious about joining our team. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Engineer in Luton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Engineer role. Highlight your experience with pumps and rotating machinery, and don’t forget to mention any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can bring your expertise to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your technical leadership experience and how you’ve driven innovation in past projects. We love a good story that showcases your skills!
Showcase Relevant Projects: Include specific examples of projects where you’ve made a significant impact. Whether it’s improving design processes or leading R&D initiatives, we want to see how you’ve contributed to engineering excellence. Make it clear how your work aligns with our goals!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kingston Barnes Engineering
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge, especially around pumps and rotating machinery. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how they relate to the role. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have practical experience too.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Engineer, you'll be expected to lead and mentor teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or mentored others in the past. Highlight your ability to drive engineering excellence and how you can bring innovation to the company.
✨Understand the Market
Familiarise yourself with the current trends in the water and wastewater industry. Be prepared to discuss how you can align engineering decisions with customer needs and market demands. This shows that you’re not only technically savvy but also commercially aware.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the company's future projects, their approach to R&D, and how they integrate technology. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.
