Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer
Salary: £48,000 to £60,000 (dependent on experience)
Location: Hybrid – Reading (2-3 days per week in office or on site)
Type: Permanent, Hybrid

About the Role:

You’ll lead the design and development of complex mechanical engineering processes within the water and wastewater sectors, drive innovation in technology and tooling, and ensure compliance with stringent design and regulatory requirements. You’ll also help establish a Centre of Excellence for engineering and play a key role in building a sustainable talent pipeline from graduate to expert level.

About the Client:

Our client is a major UK utility provider undertaking transformational infrastructure projects across the water sector. Their engineering function is at the heart of delivering safe, efficient, and forward-thinking solutions for millions of customers and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver complex mechanical design solutions for water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for mechanically focused projects.
• Conduct root cause analysis to prevent equipment failures and drive improvements.
• Provide mechanical engineering input to project definition briefs and feasibility studies.
• Support asset surveys, condition assessments, and life cycle costing.
• Offer technical assurance and sign-off throughout project delivery and commissioning.
• Contribute to research and the testing of new technologies.
• Develop bespoke software tools or apps to enhance team capabilities.
• Help establish and support a Centre of Excellence for engineering.
• Support the development of a cohesive and sustainable engineering team structure.

What Our Client is Looking For:

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering, ideally chartered or close to chartered status.
• Significant experience in the water sector or similar regulated infrastructure environment.
• In-depth understanding of mechanical systems including pumps, pipework, sludge/gas/CHP systems, and treatment equipment.
• Strong detailed design engineering background.
• Experience supporting cost modelling and budget development alongside commercial teams.
• Knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks for engineering compliance.

What Our Client Offers:

• Competitive salary from £48,000 to £60,000, depending on experience.
• 26 days’ holiday (rising to 30 with length of service), plus bank holidays.
• A comprehensive benefits package covering:
  • Annual health MOTs
  • Access to physiotherapy and counselling
  • Cycle to Work schemes
  • Life assurance and shopping discounts
  • And more to support your well-being and finances

Eligibility:

• Must have the right to work in the UK.
• A valid UK driving licence and access to a vehicle is helpful due to site visits.
• Must be available to work on-site or in-office 2-3 days per week.

Opportunity for Growth:

This is a chance to step into a role with genuine influence-shaping innovation, sustainability, and best practice within one of the UK’s most critical infrastructure sectors. You’ll be working at the leading edge of engineering design and leadership.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity in our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.