Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector in Leeds

Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Stantec Consulting International Ltd.

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical engineering projects in the water sector and mentor developing engineers.
  • Company: Join Stantec, a top-rated consultancy known for its inclusive and collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, professional development, and great perks like gym discounts.
  • Other info: Be part of a growing team dedicated to creating lasting value for communities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable water infrastructure while advancing your technical leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in water sector design required.

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

Investment across the UK water sector is creating exciting opportunities to deliver smarter, more sustainable infrastructure that will benefit communities for decades to come. At Stantec, we're working at the forefront of this transformation, delivering innovative engineering solutions across major water and wastewater programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the delivery of complex mechanical engineering projects while continuing to develop your technical leadership within one of the UK's leading multidisciplinary consultancies. Working alongside experienced technical specialists, you'll have the opportunity to:

  • Lead mechanical design across major water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
  • Take ownership of technical delivery from feasibility through to construction support.
  • Mentor and support developing engineers across the team.
  • Build strong relationships with clients and contribute to the continued growth of our Mechanical Engineering capability.

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll lead the delivery of mechanical engineering design across a diverse portfolio of water infrastructure projects, ensuring technical excellence throughout every stage of project delivery. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Leading mechanical design activities across infrastructure and non-infrastructure schemes.
  • Producing and reviewing technical calculations, specifications and design documentation.
  • Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, Project Managers and clients to deliver successful project outcomes.
  • Providing technical guidance and mentoring to developing engineers.
  • Supporting design reviews, value engineering and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Building strong relationships with clients, contractors and supply chain partners.

The work you deliver will directly support the resilience and sustainability of essential water infrastructure across the UK. Your engineering expertise will help clients improve operational performance, deliver environmental improvements and create infrastructure that supports future generations. You’ll also play an important role in strengthening our technical capability, supporting the development of colleagues and contributing to innovative engineering solutions that deliver lasting value for clients and communities alike.

We're looking for an experienced Mechanical Engineer who enjoys leading technical delivery while working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams. You will have:

  • A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards professional registration.
  • Strong experience delivering mechanical engineering design within the water sector.
  • Experience leading technical delivery across multidisciplinary projects.
  • Excellent understanding of mechanical engineering design, specifications and industry standards.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Experience mentoring and supporting developing engineers.

Desirable:

  • Experience working alongside delivery contractors.
  • Experience supporting client relationships and framework delivery.
  • Experience across both water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed. We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.

We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.

We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network.

Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!

Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.

Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.

If you're looking to lead the delivery of nationally significant water infrastructure projects while continuing to develop your technical leadership career, we'd love to hear from you.

Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector in Leeds employer: Stantec Consulting International Ltd.

At Stantec, we pride ourselves on fostering a friendly and inclusive work environment where collaboration and professional growth are at the forefront. Our commitment to employee development is evident through industry-leading training, a clear progression plan towards chartership, and a range of benefits including competitive salaries and flexible working arrangements. Join us in shaping sustainable water management solutions while being part of a supportive team that values your contributions and encourages innovation.

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.

Contact Details:

Stantec Consulting International Ltd. Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector in Leeds

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 Stantec Consulting International Ltd..

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 Stantec Consulting International Ltd. love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Stantec Consulting International Ltd. 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 - Water Sector in Leeds

Mechanical Engineering Design
Technical Leadership
Project Delivery
Technical Calculations
Specifications Development
Stakeholder Management
Mentoring and Coaching

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 Stantec Consulting International Ltd. and the Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector 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 Stantec Consulting International Ltd.

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 Stantec Consulting International Ltd..

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 Stantec Consulting International Ltd..

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 Stantec Consulting International Ltd., making you a more appealing candidate.