Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector in High Wycombe

Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector in High Wycombe

High Wycombe Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Stantec

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical engineering projects in the water sector, from design to delivery.
  • Company: Join Stantec, a top multidisciplinary water consultancy making a real impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and great perks like private medical insurance.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with strong career development opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a difference by improving water security and 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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

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’ll 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 IMPACT

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.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

  • 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.
  • 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.

BENEFITS

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, discounted gym membership and lots more.

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

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector in High Wycombe employer: Stantec

Stantec is an exceptional employer that empowers its employees to make a significant impact in the energy sector through innovative projects like hydropower and energy building design. With a strong focus on professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a collaborative work culture, Stantec fosters an environment where engineers can thrive and grow their careers while contributing to meaningful change in the industry.

Stantec

Contact Details:

Stantec Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

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

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.

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 love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Stantec 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 High Wycombe

Mechanical Engineering
Project Lifecycle Management
Water and Wastewater Treatment
Pumping Stations
Mechanical Process Systems
Technical Leadership
Stakeholder Management

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 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

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.

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.

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, making you a more appealing candidate.