Principal Mechanical Design Engineer (Water)

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer (Water)

We are currently in the market to recruit multiple Principal Mechanical Design Engineers (Water) for a variety of major long‑term frameworks across the UK.

In addition to a range of long‑term programmes across the UK water industry, RPS and Tetra Tech have successfully won a £100 million single‑award framework from United Utilities to support the improvement of river health across the Northwest of England.

RPS has been working with United Utilities for over 20 years on innovative projects. As we move towards AMP8, this is an exciting time to be working in the water industry, and collaborating with passionate organisations gives our people the opportunity to create positive change.

Under this 10‑year framework, RPS will drive programme optimisation, develop solutions, and select the preferred options based on best value, lowest carbon, and cost. Our mission is to deliver exceptional water services to foster a resilient, eco‑friendly, and thriving Northwest.

About The Team

RPS Water Consulting is a team of engineers, modellers, and data analysts providing asset management and operational strategy development to our water‑industry clients to support business planning and delivery. This is an evolving industry, providing challenges and opportunities that require innovation, dedication, and teamwork to help us meet our clients’ needs.

In addition to the United Utilities framework, we also work with several major water companies across the UK, having a broad portfolio of long‑term framework agreements in place.

Our water consultancy business has a range of prestigious AMP8 programmes leading into AMP9 and beyond, where you’ll be securing your career for the next 20 years, leaving a lasting legacy.

About You

You will be experienced in producing technical outputs such as technical specifications, sizing and designing pumping systems and aeration systems, schedules, and reports and familiar with collaborative planning reviews and designs of solutions.

You will be able to provide engineering input design outputs in collaboration with other disciplines, such as general arrangement drawings, 3‑D models, and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams.

To be successful in this role, you will have strong communication skills and be able to deliver technical presentations to clients and other design engineers as well as contribute to collaborative design discussions including technical workshops, and safety reviews including HAZOPs and ALMs.

You will understand how water and wastewater treatment processes operate and be experienced in assessing existing site infrastructure to develop and deliver the mechanical design.

By joining us, you’re not just taking on exciting projects and collaborating with leading minds. You’re making a meaningful impact on millions of lives in the UK, leaving a legacy for generations to come. As a valuable member of our team, you’ll play a crucial role in the water industry, and work with the largest water companies in the region, ensuring a positive and enduring influence on the communities we serve. If you’re ready to contribute your skills and expertise to a dynamic and innovative environment, we invite you to join us on this exciting journey.

Your Responsibilities

• You will be involved in the whole project life cycle from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design and construction support including site surveys and investigations.
• You will work on a wide variety of projects across a variety of major long‑term frameworks with water companies across the UK.
• You will have responsibility for working and liaising with project managers, technical leaders, design engineers, clients, supply‑chain partners, contractors, planners, and other stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes for the projects and community.
• You will work closely with senior and principal engineers and other stakeholders supporting project delivery.
• You will help develop the team by acting as a mentor or guide to graduates within the team.
• You will help develop the team by acting as a mentor or guide to junior members within the team.
• Reviewing and checking technical designs, specifications, and reports.
• Liaising with clients to gain a detailed understanding of project requirements and scope.
• Ability to understand technical drawings with AutoCAD and/or Inventor experience.
• Undertaking asset condition surveys and preparing reports and recommendations.
• Contributing to the production of Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Preparation of mechanical design deliverables including calculations, reports, specifications, datasheets, drawings, schedules, and procurement documentation.
• Providing support to allow the project team to comply with the duties of the designer under CDM including the production of design risk assessments.
• Ensuring quality assurance systems and procedures are followed.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

• A good technical understanding of mechanical engineering principles.
• Water industry experience will be a significant advantage.
• At least an awareness and preferably some proficiency in:
• The design of pumping systems and pump selection.
• The use of P&IDs to create equipment, valve, and pipe schedules.
• The production of specifications.
• Construction Design & Management (CDM) Regulations and designing for safety.
• Various methods of contract procurement, ideally including the ECC (NEC) forms of contract.
• Managing your work to time, cost, and quality criteria.
• Supporting junior staff in their technical development.
• The ability to travel and visit operational and construction sites as required, to act in a safe manner, and to asset‑survey, inspect, and witness test mechanical equipment and installations.
• Knowledge of design tools and software such as AutoCAD or similar design packages would be an advantage but is not essential.

Qualifications

• An IMechE accredited degree. Postgraduate qualifications are an advantage.
• Chartered or working towards chartership for senior or principal grades.
• Affiliation with a professional institution like IET, InstMC, or CIWEM, or in the process of working towards membership and nearing application.

What’s in it for you?

A personal development plan and a transparent career pathway puts you in the driving seat of your career and you’ll be supported as far as you want to go.

We encourage and value different ideas, perspectives, and styles of thinking. We need a mix of experiences and skills to develop the most innovative ideas. We respect one another and recognise the potential and contribution of everyone. You’ll be joining a diverse community and a company that puts its people first and prioritises their wellbeing.

A career here is far from ordinary. Here you’re not a number, you are part of the solution.

Why RPS?

We’re a connected community, working together to achieve exceptional outcomes. We understand the need to work flexibly, empowering our people to create a work‑life balance that’s right for them.

We also understand the importance of collaboration and social connection in the office environment. With agile offices and hybrid working offered as standard, we trust our people to find the right balance to meet client needs – this is a workplace that works for you.

RPS, A Tetra Tech company

Representing an exciting new chapter in our business, on 24 January 2023, RPS became a Tetra Tech company. With over 28,000 employees in more than 550 offices in more than 120 countries on seven continents, Tetra Tech is a leading, global provider of consulting and engineering services. As a Tetra Tech company, RPS is proud to offer our people market‑leading development and project opportunities, helping to solve some of the world’s most complex problems.

Come and join our team and truly make a difference in the future of water!

Our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Mindful that a truly inclusive organisation must make appropriate use of talent on a global basis and without unnecessary barriers, we are committed to embedding diversity and inclusion principles in all people processes in order to be as diverse as the communities and clients we work with, thereby securing, developing, and retaining the best available talent for the company’s future.

Our approach to Diversity & Inclusion

Our people live our purpose, deliver our promise, and demonstrate our behaviours every day. Our behaviours define who we are. Developed by our people, they underpin everything that we do. They create the memorable experiences we are known for and make RPS a great place to do great work.

‘Stronger Together’ is one of our five core behaviours and it is inherent in creating an inclusive workplace:

‘We are respectful, acknowledge diversity, and recognise the potential and contribution of everyone. We bring out the best in one another, always assuming best intent. People who learn and grow thrive in our business, sharing in our success.’

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list. Please refer to the careers page on our website if you require any further information.

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