Principal Mechanical Engineer - @One Alliance in Peterborough

Principal Mechanical Engineer - @One Alliance in Peterborough

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

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical designs for sustainable water solutions and mentor junior engineers.
  • Company: Join Mott MacDonald Bentley, a global leader in engineering and consultancy.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, health insurance, and generous leave policies.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while driving sustainability and innovation.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in mechanical design, preferably in the water sector.

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

Mott MacDonald Bentley are recruiting for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the Anglian Water @One Alliance. As part of Anglian Water's @one Alliance, we are on a mission to create a sustainable and resilient future for water. With an ambitious £2.3 billion capital investment in AMP8, we are revolutionising infrastructure, sustainability, and digital transformation to protect the environment and support growing communities.

Your Purpose

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer within one of our four business units, you'll be at the forefront of designing and delivering innovative water solutions. You'll lead technical delivery, drive sustainable and cost‑effective design decisions, and guide junior engineers to deliver work that is safe, future‑proof, and built to last.

What You'll Be Doing

  • Lead and review mechanical designs to ensure compliance, safety, and performance excellence.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to high quality standards.
  • Promote the use of digital tools and modular construction techniques.
  • Drive Health & Safety by design, identifying improvements and reducing whole‑life costs.
  • Champion sustainability, carbon reduction, and innovation across the design lifecycle.
  • Mentor junior engineers and create a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning.
  • Work closely with project and engineering leaders, contributing to strategic decisions.

About You

You will ideally have:

  • A degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline).
  • Preferably chartered, or working towards chartered status.
  • Proven experience in mechanical design—ideally in the water sector or similar complex infrastructure environment.
  • Strong understanding of industry standards, health and safety legislation, and construction principles.
  • Leadership experience with a passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
  • Proficiency in CAD and engineering software.
  • Confident decision‑maker, with a collaborative mindset and strong communication skills.

What we can offer

At Mott MacDonald Bentley you will be offered a competitive salary which is commensurate based on your experience. Our core benefits include:

  • Pension matched by employer up to 7%
  • Option to purchase, sell and carry over annual leave
  • Life assurance / Private Medical Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance and Health Screening options
  • 26 weeks maternity leave, enhanced paternity and adoption leave / Shared parental leave
  • Payment of annual professional institution subscription costs
  • Gym Membership discounts
  • UK wide Cycle to work scheme, interest free season ticket loans and discounted dining cards also available

About Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy. Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients' businesses, our communities and employee opportunities. A fundamental part of this is respecting each person's differences and striving to meet their needs. Our values: progress, respect, integrity, drive, excellence. We believe that because we care about what we do, we do things better. We know that our people are our most valuable asset, so we are dedicated to investing in them, through our comprehensive training and development schemes, exposure to the wider design and build business and endless opportunities. We are committed to creating a workplace where our people are safe, have a voice, can reach their full potential, and everyone shares in the rewards. You'll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that benefit our communities – from helping to secure water supplies for future generations to protecting homes and businesses from flood risk – our projects make a real difference.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Mott MacDonald Bentley we welcome applications from all sectors of the community. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace where everyone feels included, has the opportunity to thrive, and is treated with respect. Even if you don't meet every requirement for this role but are excited about the opportunity, we encourage you to apply. We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment practices are barrier‑free and as inclusive as possible. This includes making adjustments during the job application process and throughout your future career with us.

Agile working

We are committed to providing a flexible and agile working environment that supports both our employees and the needs of the business.

Principal Mechanical Engineer - @One Alliance in Peterborough employer: Mott MacDonald

Mott MacDonald Bentley is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises sustainability and innovation in the water sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, competitive benefits, and a focus on diversity and inclusion, we empower our team members to thrive while making a meaningful impact on communities. Join us in shaping a resilient future for water, where your expertise as a Principal Mechanical Engineer will be valued and nurtured.

Mott MacDonald

Contact Details:

Mott MacDonald Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer - @One Alliance in Peterborough

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 Mott MacDonald.

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 Mott MacDonald love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Mott MacDonald 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 Principal Mechanical Engineer - @One Alliance in Peterborough

Mechanical Design
Leadership
Mentoring
Health and Safety Compliance
Project Management
Collaboration
Digital Tools Proficiency

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 Mott MacDonald and the Principal Mechanical Engineer - @One Alliance 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 Mott MacDonald

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 Mott MacDonald.

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 Mott MacDonald.

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 Mott MacDonald, making you a more appealing candidate.