Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in Warrington

Location

Warrington, Cheshire or Leicester (Hybrid Working)

Job Type

Permanent | Full Time (37 Hours per Week)

Sector

• Nuclear | Mechanical Engineering
• About Westlakes Recruit

Westlakes Recruit is a specialist recruitment partner supporting major programmes across the UK's nuclear, defence and engineering sectors.

We are currently recruiting for a Principal Mechanical Engineer on behalf of a leading engineering organisation delivering some of the country's most complex and nationally significant projects.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Mechanical Engineer to take on a senior technical leadership role, supporting the delivery of innovative engineering solutions across the full project lifecycle within a highly regulated environment.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary engineering projects, ensuring the integrity of mechanical designs from concept through to installation and operational support.

Working closely with engineering teams, project managers and clients, you will be responsible for maintaining engineering configuration, ensuring design intent is preserved throughout the project lifecycle and delivering engineering solutions that meet the highest standards of quality, safety and compliance.

This role offers hybrid working and can be based from either Warrington or Leicester.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Leadership
• Lead the delivery of mechanical engineering solutions across complex engineering and infrastructure projects.
• Maintain engineering configuration and ensure overall design intent is preserved throughout the design lifecycle.
• Produce, review and approve engineering calculations, analyses, technical reports, design basis documentation, drawings and models.
• Provide technical guidance and support to multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Project Delivery
• Support the successful delivery of projects to agreed programme, budget and quality objectives.
• Work collaboratively with Project Managers and engineering teams to resolve technical challenges.
• Ensure project risks are identified, communicated and effectively managed.
• Promote engineering best practice and continuous improvement throughout project delivery.
• Client & Stakeholder Management
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients and key project stakeholders.
• Support customer engagement through technical discussions, design reviews and project meetings.
• Assist in resolving technical and delivery issues while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Contribute to business development by supporting existing client relationships and identifying future opportunities.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with relevant procedures, industry standards, codes and regulatory requirements.
• Support design assurance, configuration management and engineering governance processes.
• Promote compliance with Health, Safety, Environmental and Quality standards.
• Maintain technical integrity throughout the engineering lifecycle.
• Provide leadership, mentoring and technical guidance to engineers within the team.
• Encourage collaboration across engineering disciplines and functional teams.
• Support the development of engineering capability through coaching and knowledge sharing.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Experience leading mechanical engineering teams within complex engineering projects.
• Strong understanding of engineering design principles and lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of CAD software and general engineering drawing practices.
• Ability to build strong relationships with clients, project teams and key stakeholders.
• Strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Experience reviewing and approving technical engineering documentation.
• A proactive approach with the ability to challenge existing practices and drive continuous improvement.

Previous nuclear experience is not essential.

Applications are welcomed from engineers working across sectors such as defence, energy, oil & gas, aerospace, rail, manufacturing, industrial process, utilities and other highly regulated engineering environments.

Qualifications

• HNC or HND in Mechanical Engineering (minimum), or equivalent industry experience.
• Chartered Engineer status, or the ability to achieve professional registration, is highly desirable.
• Security Requirements

Due to the nature of the projects, successful applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain UK Security Check (SC) clearance.

• What's on Offer
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Opportunity to work on nationally significant nuclear and defence programmes.
• Structured career development and progression into senior technical and leadership positions.
• Payment of professional membership fees.
• Generous annual leave entitlement.
• Matched pension contributions with life assurance.
• Digital GP services, annual health checks and wellbeing support.
• Employee share scheme.
• Employee shopping discounts and savings platform.
• Holiday trading scheme.
• Paid volunteering day each year.
• Employee Assistance Programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.
• Ongoing technical development and support towards Chartered Engineer status.

Why Apply?

The UK nuclear sector continues to benefit from significant long-term investment across defence, decommissioning, new build and clean energy programmes.

This role offers the opportunity to apply your mechanical engineering expertise on technically complex, nationally important projects while working within a collaborative and innovative engineering environment.

Whether you're already working within the nuclear industry or looking to transfer your experience from another highly regulated sector, this is an excellent opportunity to build your career while contributing to projects that will shape the future of UK infrastructure.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Westlakes Recruit is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive and will provide reasonable adjustments wherever required throughout the recruitment process.

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