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- Tasks: Lead innovative water engineering projects and mentor a talented team.
- Company: Join the UK's largest water and wastewater company, making a real impact.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, 26 days holiday, and private medical care.
- Why this job: Shape the future of water infrastructure and drive meaningful change.
- Qualifications: Degree in mechanical engineering with relevant experience in water systems.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and diverse, inclusive workplace culture.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Offering between £65,000 to £80,000 per annum, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate, plus a £5,800 car allowance.
Lead the Future of Water Engineering – Become Our Principal Mechanical Design Engineer. Are you ready to shape the future of water and wastewater infrastructure? As our Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll take the lead in driving innovation, setting engineering standards, and mentoring a talented team of professionals. This is more than a technical role — it’s a strategic opportunity to become the ‘Intelligent Client’ at the heart of our AMP8 ambitions and beyond. Your expertise will be pivotal in delivering sustainable, high-performing assets that make a real difference to communities and the environment.
What you’ll be doing as a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer:
- Set precise technical requirements with Project Definition Briefs for strong project foundations.
- Refine Technical Asset Standards to enhance process efficiency and effectiveness.
- Uphold engineering standards in Mechanical Engineering to optimise asset performance.
- Lead the development of innovative designs for the water and wastewater sectors.
- Inspire teams on mechanically focused projects, driving meaningful change.
- Achieve technical sign-off and assurance for seamless project handover.
- Support the advancement of innovative technologies through research.
Location: Hybrid – Clearwater Court, Reading
Working Pattern: 36 hours a week. This position requires the candidate to have access to a vehicle and a valid driver's license. Additionally, there is a car allowance of £5,800 included.
What you should bring to the role:
- Be degree qualified or equivalent in mechanical engineering with a charter through a relevant awarding body.
- A Mechanical Engineering background in one or more sludge digestion and treatment, biogas and CHP systems, water and wastewater treatment, pumps/piping systems, or process equipment is essential.
- Understand the regulatory environment to comply with our engineering regulatory requirements.
- Had exposure to lead design engineering roles.
Additional skills and experiences would be excellent to have/bring:
- Previous experience in the water industry.
What’s in it for you?
- 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
- Car Allowance.
- Annual Bonus.
- Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
- Private Medical Health Care.
- Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well-being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
Who are we? We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job, and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Working at Thames Water: Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family.
Why choose us? We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Reading, Berkshire employer: Thames Water
Contact Detail:
Thames Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Reading, Berkshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the water and wastewater sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their values and recent innovations in water engineering. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you’ll need to inspire and mentor others. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve led teams or driven projects to success in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission to build a better future for water and communities.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Design Engineer - Reading, Berkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Mechanical Design Engineer role. Highlight your relevant experience in mechanical engineering, especially in water and wastewater sectors. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our AMP8 ambitions. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for our team.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of projects you've led or innovations you've introduced. We love seeing how you've made a difference in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Thames Water
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you'll need to showcase your expertise in mechanical engineering. Brush up on key concepts related to sludge digestion, biogas systems, and water treatment processes. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with the technical requirements outlined in the job description.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
This role involves mentoring and leading teams, so be prepared to share examples of how you've inspired others in previous positions. Think about specific projects where you took the lead and how you drove meaningful change within your team or organisation.
✨Understand the Regulatory Environment
Familiarise yourself with the regulatory requirements relevant to the water industry. During the interview, highlight your understanding of these regulations and how you've ensured compliance in past projects. This will show that you're not just technically proficient but also aware of the broader context of your work.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's AMP8 ambitions and how they plan to innovate in the water sector. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.