At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical engineering projects in the water sector, making a real impact.
- Company: Join Stantec, a top-rated engineering consultancy with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team dedicated to sustainability and community resilience.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water infrastructure while mentoring the next generation of engineers.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in the UK water sector required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
The UK water sector is undergoing its most significant period of investment in decades, and Stantec is helping deliver the infrastructure that will improve water security, protect the environment and create more resilient communities. As AMP8 progresses, we're looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our growing Water team in the South. This is an exciting opportunity to take a leading technical role within one of the UK's foremost multidisciplinary water consultancies.
You'll work on a diverse portfolio of major infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, collaborating with industry-leading specialists to deliver innovative mechanical engineering solutions for water and wastewater treatment, pumping stations and conveyance systems. With a strong pipeline of work, investment in digital engineering and a collaborative team culture, you'll have the opportunity to further develop your career while making a tangible difference to the communities we serve.
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will lead the technical delivery of mechanical engineering projects across the full project lifecycle, from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design, construction support and commissioning. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary teams, project managers, clients, contractors and supply chain partners to develop practical, sustainable engineering solutions that deliver outstanding project outcomes.
You will provide technical leadership across water and wastewater treatment facilities, pumping stations and mechanical process systems, ensuring engineering quality, technical governance and best practice are maintained throughout project delivery. Alongside your project responsibilities, you'll mentor and support developing engineers, helping to build capability across the team while contributing to project planning, client engagement and business growth.
Your expertise will help deliver the infrastructure that enables communities to access safe, reliable water services while supporting the industry's ambitious environmental and sustainability goals. Through innovative mechanical design, you'll contribute to projects that improve treatment processes, enhance operational efficiency and increase the resilience of critical water infrastructure. You will also play an important role in developing the next generation of engineers, sharing your technical knowledge and fostering a collaborative culture that drives engineering excellence.
Your contribution will strengthen client relationships, support successful project delivery and reinforce Stantec's reputation as one of the UK's leading engineering consultancies.
Essential
- Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) or actively working towards Chartership.
- Experience delivering detailed mechanical design within the UK water sector.
- Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment infrastructure, pumping stations and associated mechanical systems.
- Experience leading technical project delivery and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience mentoring and supporting the development of junior engineers.
Desirable
- Experience working alongside delivery contractors.
- Experience across both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects.
- Experience supporting bids or business development activities.
- Knowledge of digital engineering tools and modern methods of project delivery.
Why Join Us
- 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 ready to take the next step in your career and help deliver innovative engineering solutions that will shape the future of water infrastructure across the South, we'd love to hear from you.
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 Reading
✨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 Reading
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.
