Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cambridge
Principal Mechanical Engineer

Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cambridge

Cambridge Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a team in developing innovative mechanical solutions for water technology projects.
  • Company: Join Xylem, a Fortune 500 leader in sustainable water solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on global water challenges while advancing your career.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in mechanical engineering with strong leadership and CAD skills.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for travel and professional growth.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.

Sentec, a Xylem brand, seeks to hire a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead our talented mechanical engineering skill group. As Principal, you will lead a mechanical engineering team on high-value, technically challenging projects, internal to Xylem and external clients. You will own mechanical architecture and key technical decisions and act as subject-matter expert in mechanical design, materials, and manufacturing. You will deliver innovative mechanical solutions from early concept through detailed design and industrialisation and validation testing. You will work directly with Xylem partners and external clients to understand requirements and translate them into robust engineering solutions, contribute to project planning, technical reporting and support proposal writing, technical scoping, and effort estimation.

As a senior colleague, you will mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers and scientists, foster a collaborative, high-performance engineering culture and set engineering best practice. You will also be responsible for supporting project management as well as business development activities under the guidance of the respective teams. The position is largely based in our Cambridge office; however, you will have the opportunity for some travel, this could be UK-wide, within Europe, the United States or the Far East.

At Sentec you will be working in a rapidly evolving industry at an exciting time for technologists developing solutions in multiple sectors with a strong emphasis on sustainability. In order to be successful you will need to demonstrate leadership in pursuit of technical solutions and novel ideas, have a hands-on approach to problem solving and ultimately managing projects against time, budget and client expectations. This role combines hands-on engineering, technical decision-making, project and team leadership within a fast-paced consultancy environment spanning multiple sectors, working towards deadlines and delivering excellent technical solutions. You will be required to communicate effectively in a wide range of environments, both with colleagues and clients and will have the opportunity to develop your negotiation skills and expand your technical knowledge.

Minimum Qualifications: Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities, License/Certification:
  • Extensive experience (10+ years) in mechanical engineering / product development
  • Experience in people leadership, preferably in mechanical engineering
  • Strong 3D CAD capability (principally Creo but SolidWorks also advantageous)
  • Proven experience taking products from concept to manufacture
  • Hands-on experience making parts and building prototypes
  • Experience dealing with 3rd party suppliers such as engineering workshops, plastic fabricators, hardware suppliers
  • Excellent understanding of materials, tolerancing, and manufacturing processes
  • Experience working in multidisciplinary teams (physics, electronics, software)
  • Minimum 2/1 Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
Desirable Skills/Knowledge:
  • Background in consultancy or contract R&D environments
  • Experience with machinery such as lathes and milling machines
  • Experience with 3D printing, both internal and bureau
  • Experience in one or more sectors such as:
  • Sensing technology such as optical, magnetic, ultrasonic
  • Consumer and industrial products
  • Scientific instrumentation
  • Water infrastructure
  • Sustainable energy
  • Knowledge of regulatory or quality systems (e.g. ISO 13485, ISO 9001)
  • Experience with FEA, thermal analysis, or other simulation
  • Physical Demands:

    The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Regularly required to sit or stand, reach, bend and move about the facility.

    Work Environment:

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Office: Standard office equipment; work usually performed in an office or site laboratory setting. Estimated 10% or less travel requirement. Standard weekly job hours: 37.5 hours.

    Benefits Include:
    • Competitive salaries
    • Holiday of 25 days per year, increases with length of service
    • Group life cover at 4 times basic salary
    • Private health care
    • Salary sacrifice pension scheme
    • Relocation expenses as appropriate
    • Annual performance and merit process
    • Discretionary 10% All staff bonus scheme
    • Employee referral bonus scheme
    • Access to flexible benefits including cycle to work, critical illness cover and green car leasing
    • Flexible and remote working

    Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.

    Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cambridge employer: YSI Incorporated

    Xylem is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and sustainability in the water technology sector. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead and mentor a talented team while working on impactful projects that address critical global water challenges. Located in Cambridge, our hybrid work model provides flexibility, alongside competitive benefits such as private healthcare, generous holiday allowances, and a discretionary bonus scheme, making it an ideal place for passionate professionals seeking meaningful careers.
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    Contact Detail:

    YSI Incorporated Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cambridge

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend events, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their values and how they align with your skills. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Practice your technical skills and be ready to showcase them. Whether it's through a portfolio or during technical interviews, demonstrating your hands-on experience with CAD software and product development can set you apart from other candidates.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our innovative team at Xylem.

    We think you need these skills to ace Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cambridge

    Mechanical Engineering
    3D CAD (Creo, SolidWorks)
    Product Development
    Prototyping
    Materials Knowledge
    Manufacturing Processes
    Project Management
    Leadership
    Technical Decision-Making
    Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
    Regulatory Knowledge (ISO 13485, ISO 9001)
    Simulation (FEA, Thermal Analysis)
    Problem-Solving
    Communication Skills
    Negotiation Skills

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Principal Mechanical Engineer role. Highlight your extensive experience in mechanical engineering and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

    Showcase Your Projects: Include specific examples of projects you've led or contributed to, especially those that demonstrate your ability to take products from concept to manufacture. We love seeing hands-on experience, so don’t hold back!

    Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should reflect your passion for sustainable solutions and your leadership style. Let us know why you’re excited about joining Xylem and how you can contribute to our mission. Keep it engaging and personal!

    Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Xylem!

    How to prepare for a job interview at YSI Incorporated

    ✨Know Your Stuff

    Make sure you brush up on your mechanical engineering fundamentals, especially in areas like materials, manufacturing processes, and CAD software. Be ready to discuss your past projects in detail, particularly how you took products from concept to manufacture.

    ✨Show Leadership Skills

    As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you'll be expected to lead teams. Prepare examples of how you've mentored junior engineers or led projects. Highlight your ability to foster a collaborative environment and how you've contributed to high-performance engineering cultures.

    ✨Communicate Effectively

    Practice articulating complex technical concepts in simple terms. You'll need to communicate with both colleagues and clients, so think about how you can convey your ideas clearly and concisely. Role-play potential interview questions with a friend to build confidence.

    ✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving

    Expect scenario-based questions that test your hands-on problem-solving skills. Think of specific challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you overcame them. This is your chance to showcase your innovative thinking and technical decision-making abilities.

    Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cambridge
    YSI Incorporated
    Location: Cambridge

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