Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water / Wastewater

Job Description

About the Role

The UK water sector is entering a period of unprecedented investment and transformation. As Egis accelerates the growth of its Water Business in the UK, we are building a high-performing Mechanical Engineering team to help shape this next chapter.

We are inviting applicants who want to play a meaningful role in delivering major water and wastewater programmes in the UK. Working within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment, you will contribute to technically robust, sustainable and innovative treatment solutions across nationally significant projects.

This is a rare opportunity to join at a key stage of our UK growth journey, helping to establish, shape and expand a Mechanical engineering capability built on Egis’ global infrastructure expertise and long-term commitment to the sector.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical leadership for the mechanical discipline within the UK water/wastewater treatment design team.
• Act as mechanical discipline lead, sub-lead or senior technical authority on complex treatment projects across design, construction support, commissioning and handover.
• Set and maintain mechanical design standards, checking requirements, design risk processes, digital workflows and quality expectations.
• Lead and assure complex mechanical deliverables, key technical decisions, equipment strategies, supplier packages, contractor submissions and multidisciplinary interfaces.
• Drive integrated coordination across Process, EICA, civil/structural, architectural, MEP, construction, commissioning and operations teams.
• Lead senior client engagement, technical workshops, optioneering, value engineering, design reviews and constructability/maintainability reviews.
• Embed modern delivery approaches including digital design, hydraulic analysis, BIM/3D coordination, automation, standardisation, data-led decision making and supplier integration.
• Support project directors and project managers with technical risk, scope, resourcing, programme, budget, change control and design quality.
• Build and develop the mechanical sub-team through recruitment, mentoring, line management, succession planning and professional development.
• Support business planning, work winning, client development, bid strategy and growth of Egis’ UK water/wastewater treatment capability.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• BEng/MEng or equivalent in Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer or Incorporated Engineer status with a relevant professional institution, such as IMechE.
• Typically 10–12+ years’ relevant mechanical engineering design experience.
• Background must be from water, wastewater, biosolids/bioresources or oil & gas.
• Proven track record leading mechanical design and technical assurance on complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Deep technical expertise in mechanical treatment/process systems, including pumps, pipework, valves, tanks, packaged plant, lifting systems, hydraulics and maintainability.
• Strong understanding of UK regulated water sector drivers, water company asset standards, CDM 2015, safety-by-design, environmental/regulatory requirements and common delivery models.
• Demonstrable experience developing people, including mentoring, line management, technical coaching, recruitment or resource planning.
• Strong client and stakeholder management skills, with credibility to lead senior technical conversations and influence project direction.
• Strong commercial and delivery awareness, including scope development, fee estimating, programme/resource planning, risk management and change control.
• Strong digital and innovation mindset, with experience embedding improved tools, data workflows, BIM/MEP coordination, hydraulic analysis, automation or standardised delivery approaches.

Desirable Skills / Knowledge

• Experience as mechanical discipline lead, design manager, technical director, associate-level lead or sub-team lead within consultancy, contractor, water company, technology provider or oil & gas/process engineering business.
• Strong UK water sector client network and experience supporting account growth, opportunity shaping, bid leadership and work winning.
• Experience developing services around digital treatment design, process optimisation, operational intelligence, energy/carbon reduction, modular/offsite solutions or MEP-led delivery.
• Experience leading mechanical technical governance, communities of practice, design standards, QA frameworks or delivery improvement initiatives.
• Experience building teams during growth phases, including skills mapping, capability planning and creation of a positive, delivery-focused culture.

Please note that you must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this position.

Additional Information

What’s in It for You?

• An exciting new growth role in a fast‑organic growing UK business, offering clear and accelerated career progression
• Top Employers 2025 - Egis recognised across four continents for excellence in HR practices, having been awarded the prestigious Top Employer 2025 certification. Top Employers Institute is the global authority on recognising excellence in people practices.   
• A global leader in green infrastructure - we’re proud to lead the way in sustainable infrastructure, mobility and energy, innovating across the entire value chain and every aspect of the built environment. 
• Highly competitive leadership‑level reward package
• Hybrid and flexible working
• 26+ days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Professional development, chartership support & global mobility
• Supportive, inclusive culture driven by sustainability and long‑term community impact

Ready to Lead?

Join Egis and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of sustainable water infrastructure across the UK.

We are committed to our planet

In each project we design, engineer and operate we care deeply about the legacy we’re leaving behind. As part of our team, you’ll have a unique opportunity to use your skills and expertise to shape a better future for our communities in the UK, and all around the globe.

Our commitment is translated in the work carried out by our Egis Foundation, which funds concrete actions to address the climate crisis and is focused on educational and social initiatives that will help in the responsible and sustainable shift towards a sustainable world.

We are an Equal Opportunities employer and we strive to build a workforce that truly reflects the communities we represent. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and any other protected characteristic. If you decide to apply for an opportunity with us, your application will be assessed based purely on your experience, the essential and desirable criteria, and your suitability for the role. We value each and every one’s contribution as this builds our culture and means that if you work with us, you will be included, listened to, and respected.