At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative energy projects and deliver sustainable engineering solutions.
- Company: Join a top-rated, inclusive company focused on the energy transition.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainable energy infrastructure for future generations.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in energy or process sectors required.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
The energy transition represents one of the most significant shifts of our time—transforming how energy is produced, distributed, and consumed to create a more sustainable, lower-carbon future. This is your opportunity to be part of that transformation and help shape the infrastructure that will define generations to come.
As a result of continued growth, recent project success, and an expanding client base, we are looking to connect with Principal Mechanical Engineers for future opportunities within our Energy & Resources team. With flexibility to be based across our UK offices—particularly within reach of the Midlands or Newcastle—you will play a key role in delivering innovative and sustainable engineering solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects.
About the Role
As a Principal Mechanical Engineer within our Waste and Generation team, you will take a leading role in delivering complex energy projects across a wide range of technologies. These include Energy from Waste (EfW) plants, district heating systems, gasification projects, hydrogen generation schemes, and biogas production facilities. You will be involved across the full project lifecycle—from early-stage optioneering and feasibility studies through to detailed design, procurement support, and installation. This will include conducting site surveys and technical investigations, developing engineering solutions, and collaborating closely with clients, partners, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver integrated project outcomes.
In this role, you will also contribute to the development of key design deliverables, including technical specifications, engineering reports, General Arrangement drawings, 3D models, and Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs). Alongside this, you will play an important part in defining project scopes, supporting the award of construction packages, and reviewing vendor designs and performance. A strong commitment to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) responsibilities is central to this role, with a culture that promotes accountability, open scrutiny, and continuous improvement.
Your Impact
In this role, you will play a critical part in delivering mechanical engineering solutions that underpin modern, sustainable energy infrastructure. Your work across a broad range of technologies will directly support the transition to lower-carbon energy systems, helping clients meet regulatory requirements while improving efficiency and long-term performance. Through your leadership and technical expertise, you will ensure that projects are delivered to a high standard from concept through to construction, with solutions that are not only innovative but also practical and buildable. Your involvement in developing specifications, reviewing designs, and assessing vendor outputs will help maintain consistency, quality, and reliability across projects.
By working closely with multidisciplinary teams and clients, you will drive collaboration and integration, ensuring that mechanical designs align seamlessly with wider project objectives. You will also contribute to a culture of continuous improvement, championing best practice and reinforcing strong HSE performance across all stages of delivery. Ultimately, your work will help deliver impactful energy projects that support a more sustainable future while strengthening client relationships and project outcomes.
About You
You are an experienced Mechanical Engineer with a strong background in the energy, power, or process plant sectors. You bring both technical expertise and leadership capability, along with a collaborative and client-focused approach to your work.
- A degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
- Chartered Engineer status or progress towards Chartership
- Experience working within the energy, power, or process plant sectors (e.g. EfW, hydrogen, biomass, or similar)
- Strong experience producing technical specifications, reports, and engineering deliverables across a range of mechanical systems (e.g. steam, piping, process systems)
- Familiarity with design outputs such as General Arrangement drawings, 3D models, and P&IDs
- Experience developing scoping documentation, supporting procurement processes, and assessing vendor designs
Most importantly, you will embody values of client focus, collaboration, and service excellence, with a passion for designing with communities in mind and contributing to the success of complex, future-focused energy projects.
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.
We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment 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.
To hear what some of our employees say about life at Stantec, please click on My Stantec Stories.
About Stantec
The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.
Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply. At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact us and we will talk to you about how we can support you.
Principal Mechanical Engineer - Waste & Generation (Energy) in Birmingham employer: Stantec UK Careers
Stantec is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With access to industry-leading technologies and a strong commitment to sustainability, you'll have the opportunity to work on impactful projects while enjoying competitive benefits, flexible working arrangements, and a clear path to professional progression. Join us in Redditch or Newcastle to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your career aspirations in the water industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer - Waste & Generation (Energy) in Birmingham
✨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 UK Careers.
✨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 UK Careers love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Stantec UK Careers 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 - Waste & Generation (Energy) in Birmingham
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 UK Careers and the Principal Mechanical Engineer - Waste & Generation (Energy) 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 UK Careers
✨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 UK Careers.
✨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 UK Careers.
✨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 UK Careers, making you a more appealing candidate.
