At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical design for water and wastewater projects, ensuring quality and compliance.
- Company: Leading engineering consultancy with a focus on water sector innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to influence engineering standards.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of water engineering.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the water industry while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in mechanical design, Chartered Engineer status, and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
- Principal Mechanical Engineer / Mechanical Discipline Head
- Sector: Water & Wastewater
- Level: Principal / Technical Leadership
The Opportunity
We are working with a leading engineering consultancy seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer / Mechanical Discipline Head to provide senior technical leadership within a multidisciplinary design team delivering projects across the UK water and wastewater sector.
This is an excellent opportunity for a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with extensive water industry design experience who is looking to combine hands‑on technical delivery with discipline leadership, technical assurance and the development of engineering capability.
You will take a leading role across a range of infrastructure and non‑infrastructure projects, providing technical direction from outline through to detailed design.
Alongside project delivery, you will help establish and maintain Mechanical engineering standards, develop technical capability within the team and provide authoritative engineering input across multiple water industry frameworks.
The Role
As Principal Mechanical Engineer / Mechanical Discipline Head, you will act as a senior technical authority for the Mechanical discipline, taking ownership of design quality, technical assurance and engineering standards across a portfolio of water sector projects.
You will work closely with Design Leads, Engineering Managers, Project Managers and other discipline leads to ensure engineering solutions are technically robust, practical, compliant and deliverable.
- Design Delivery & Technical Assurance
- Lead Mechanical engineering design across a range of water and wastewater projects.
- Ensure design deliverables meet required safety, quality, regulatory and client standards.
- Review and approve Mechanical design deliverables, reports, technical specifications and Design Risk Assessments.
- Develop practical and efficient engineering solutions based on project requirements, site information and client needs.
- Provide clear technical communication to clients, project teams and stakeholders.
- Direct and support Mechanical engineers, CAD technicians and graduate engineers.
- Ensure designs comply with relevant technical standards, professional guidance and water company specifications.
- Review and manage design changes, ensuring they are appropriately implemented and recorded.
- Work within established design processes and procedures to maintain consistency and quality.
- Attend and present engineering solutions at design reviews, ALM and other key technical meetings.
- Undertake independent checking of Mechanical designs or appoint competent checkers where appropriate.
- Review designs produced both internally and by subcontracted designers to ensure compliance with required technical standards.
- Discipline Leadership & Technical Governance
- Establish, communicate and maintain Mechanical engineering standards across live projects and frameworks.
- Act as the technical authority for the Mechanical discipline, providing senior engineering guidance where required.
- Assess and verify the technical competency of Mechanical engineering staff before project allocation.
- Monitor discipline performance, utilisation and technical development.
- Identify training requirements and support CPD and professional development planning.
- Work collaboratively with other discipline leads to manage interfaces, dependencies and areas of overlapping scope.
- Provide Mechanical design hour estimates during tenders and support resource forecasting and capacity planning.
- Review and interpret updates to technical standards, procedures and client requirements.
- Champion safety‑in‑design principles and ensure CDM 2015 Designer duties are embedded within design and checking activities.
- Provide technical input and guidance during both project delivery and tendering activities.
- Support the ongoing improvement of engineering standards, processes and design practices.
- Contribute to the development of consistent Mechanical engineering methodologies across water industry frameworks.
About You
You will be an experienced Mechanical Engineer with a strong track record within the regulated UK water industry and demonstrable experience leading technical design solutions.
You will be comfortable operating at Principal Engineer level, balancing detailed technical involvement with wider discipline leadership and mentoring responsibilities.
Essential Experience & Qualifications
- 10+ years' Mechanical design experience within the regulated UK water industry.
- Degree or HND in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline.
- Chartered Engineer status.
- Experience producing hydraulic calculations and hydraulic profiles.
- Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment systems, processes and technologies.
- Experience delivering both infrastructure and non‑infrastructure projects.
- Experience working across outline and detailed design stages.
- Strong understanding of construction methods, materials and engineering drawing practices.
- Strong IT and digital design capability.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Desirable Experience
- Previous experience as a Discipline Lead, Technical Authority or Principal Engineer.
- Experience mentoring and technically developing junior and intermediate engineers.
- Knowledge of client‑specific technical standards across multiple UK water company frameworks.
- Experience acting as an independent checker across multiple projects or disciplines.
- Familiarity with BIM and Common Data Environment workflows.
- Experience contributing to recruitment, onboarding or engineering competency frameworks.
- Experience working within a design‑centre, framework consultancy or multi‑project delivery environment.
- What This Role Offers
This is a senior technical leadership opportunity for an engineer who wants to have a genuine influence on how Mechanical engineering is delivered across a growing water sector business.
You will have the opportunity to
- Take ownership of Mechanical technical standards across multiple projects and frameworks.
- Influence engineering processes, methodologies and best practice.
- Work on technically challenging water and wastewater projects.
- Mentor and develop engineers at different stages of their careers.
- Play a key role in technical governance, assurance and competency development.
- Work closely with senior engineering and project leadership.
- Develop your career further within a technically focused and growing consultancy environment
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Mechanical Discipline Head in Stretford employer: Scantec
Scantec is an excellent employer, offering competitive pay rates and additional allowances for the Industrial Plater role in Hull. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we foster a supportive work culture that values teamwork and safety, ensuring our employees thrive in a dynamic industrial environment. The rotational shift pattern allows for a balanced work-life schedule, making it an attractive opportunity for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Discipline Head in Stretford
✨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 Scantec.
✨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 Scantec love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Scantec 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 Mechanical Discipline Head in Stretford
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 Scantec and the Mechanical Discipline Head 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 Scantec
✨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 Scantec.
✨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 Scantec.
✨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 Scantec, making you a more appealing candidate.
