Lead Design Engineer (Mechanical) in Bradford

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience from £48,249 to £60,314.
• Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year).
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution).
• Development opportunities in line with the Lead Design Engineer progression plan.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary.
• A great benefits package choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme.
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we're moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in Summer 2026, so you'll be based there in the future (hybrid working minimum 1 day per week in the office).

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

What we do! Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it's so much more than this.

We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire's water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region's health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Our Engineering Design team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

This role is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is passionate about engineering excellence, thrives in a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment, and wants to play a central part in shaping the future of water infrastructure.

Our Engineering Design Team sits at the heart of our capital programme. We lead the technical definition, governance and design of projects across water, wastewater, bioresources, nature-based solutions, networks, treatment and beyond.

We are building a Design Authority and Engineering centre of excellence that will set the standard for how Yorkshire Water designs and delivers infrastructure.

As our Lead Design Engineer (Mechanical) you will:

• Bring a minimum of 5 years mechanical design experience, with strong technical capability in wastewater and clean water infrastructure, applying this expertise across a variety of engineering design projects.
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary design team alongside the Strategic Planning Partner, Design Partner and Delivery Partners, providing technical oversight and ensuring high-quality design delivery throughout the full project lifecycle.
• Deliver proficient and efficient mechanical engineering design support to ensure all schemes and programmes comply with the Yorkshire Water Engineering Specification, design guidance, legislation and relevant British and European Standards.
• Carry out mechanical engineering design work across water, wastewater, bioresources and storm overflow programmes, ensuring consistent, accurate and technically sound outputs.
• Review mechanical design documents produced by planning and contract partners, supporting a robust end-to-end project delivery process and maintaining technical integrity.
• Support key governance activities including design reviews, value engineering, constructability assessments and HAZOP/HAZCON workshops, contributing to safe and efficient project delivery.
• Develop technically and economically proficient engineering solutions, following TOTEX and whole-life cost and carbon principles, while liaising with suppliers and procurement teams to improve standardisation and expand the use of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).
• Drive innovation and engineering excellence, providing mentoring and guidance to junior engineers, while ensuring strong performance in health and safety in design, effective risk management and full compliance with the YW Safety Policy.

What skills and qualifications you will need:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline).
• Chartered or working toward Chartered status (IMechE or equivalent preferred).
• At least 5 years mechanical engineering design experience within the water and wastewater sector (preferably water utility).
• Experience of working in a multi-discipline design team.
• A strong attention to detail.
• Commitment to safety, sustainability, and high-quality engineering design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical concepts into more readily understood information suitable for a wider business audience, able to influence people across multifunctional teams throughout the business.
• Experience of working on multiple deliverables to project deadlines.
• Experience in the application of quality procedures and document control in engineering design.
• Full valid driving license with less than 6 points.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it's important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn't always easy!

If you've got experience as a Lead Design Engineer (Mechanical) and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

Please apply online and complete the application process by uploading an up-to-date copy of your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience for the role.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

Closing date for this role is 29th March 2026.

No agencies please.