Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter

Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter

Exeter Full-Time 46000 - 52000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical design projects from concept to construction support.
  • Company: Join AtkinsRéalis, a diverse and inclusive engineering leader.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salaries, tailored benefits, and professional development opportunities.
  • Other info: Flexible working culture and commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in engineering while collaborating with talented teams.
  • Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field; chartered status preferred.

The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.

Overview

At Atkins Réalis, we’re known for delivering high‑quality, innovative engineering solutions across a wide range of sectors.

Our success is built on the diversity of our people—their expertise, perspectives and collaborative approach.

You’ll be joining an inclusive and supportive environment where ideas are encouraged, development is prioritised, and everyone’s contribution is valued.

Your role

  • Lead mechanical design delivery across all project stages, from concept through to detailed design and construction support.
  • Develop a clear understanding of client requirements, managing briefings and building strong stakeholder relationships.
  • Prepare and review mechanical specifications, equipment schedules and technical deliverables.
  • Carry out and oversee heating, cooling and ventilation calculations using industry‑standard tools (e. g. IES, Hevacomp).
  • Use digital engineering tools, including Revit, to support coordinated and high‑quality BIM delivery.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and the Global Technology Centre (GTC) to enhance design quality and efficiency.
  • Represent Atkins Réalis in client, contractor and design team meetings with confidence and professionalism.
  • Undertake site surveys and inspections, ensuring designs are delivered in accordance with intent.
  • Manage project deliverables, programme milestones and contribute to budget awareness and control.
  • Support coordination with other disciplines to ensure integrated and buildable solutions.
  • Mentor and support the development of junior engineers and technicians.
  • Contribute to team growth, continuous improvement and work‑winning activities.

About you

  • A degree in Building Services Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
  • Chartered Engineer status (CIBSE, IMech E) or be working towards chartership.
  • Experience in mechanical design within a consultancy or contractor design environment.
  • Strong technical knowledge of building services systems and relevant standards.
  • Experience using industry software such as IES, Hevacomp, NBS and Revit.
  • Understanding of BIM and coordinated design workflows within multidisciplinary teams.
  • Ability to lead packages of work and take ownership of project deliverables.
  • Good commercial awareness, including understanding of budgets and project constraints.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • A proactive and self‑motivated approach, with the ability to make decisions independently.
  • Experience mentoring or supporting the development of others.
  • CIBSE Low Carbon Consultant (LCC) or similar accreditation (desirable).
  • Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career.

Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices.

Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise.

And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance.

If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview.

The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer.

If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be.

So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees.

As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

As a Disability Confident Leader, we are committed to offering an interview to all applicants who have a disability and meet the essential criteria.

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Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter employer: SwiftCruit

At Global, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of London that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Senior Machine Learning Engineer, you'll not only have the opportunity to influence millions through cutting-edge AI solutions but also benefit from a culture that encourages professional growth, cross-functional partnerships, and the development of reusable engineering standards. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on impactful projects, Global is the ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in data science and machine learning.

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Contact Details:

SwiftCruit Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter

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 SwiftCruit.

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 SwiftCruit love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of SwiftCruit 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 Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer in Exeter

Mechanical Design
Building Services Engineering
Heating, Cooling and Ventilation Calculations
IES Software
Hevacomp Software
Revit
BIM Delivery

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 SwiftCruit and the Senior / Principal Mechanical Engineer 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 SwiftCruit

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 SwiftCruit.

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 SwiftCruit.

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 SwiftCruit, making you a more appealing candidate.