Mechanical Project Design Engineer

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission‑critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting‑edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

This is a rare chance to for you to step into a newly created role at the forefront of the UK’s most significant water sector transformation in decades. If you’re driven by meaningful engineering challenges and want your work to directly improve the lives of millions, this opportunity puts you right at the heart of it.

You’ll collaborate with major water companies, including United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent Water, and Anglian Water shaping and delivering high‑value, complex Design & Build CAPEX and OPEX programmes. From early‑stage concept to operational handover, you’ll influence every phase, helping set new standards for resilience, sustainability, and innovation.

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• Mechanical design for critical water and wastewater assets — from pumping stations to treatment plants.
  
• Value engineering and buildability improvements that make real‑world impact.
  
• Feasibility studies, detailed designs, and commissioning support for major infrastructure.
  
• High‑quality technical outputs including layouts, specifications, datasheets, and P&IDs.
  
• Equipment sizing and specification across pumps, blowers, valves, screening, dosing, and odour control systems.
  
• Site investigations and engagement with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
  
• Achieve compliance with UK water industry standards, health & safety, and environmental requirements.
  
• Technical guidance, mentoring, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.
  
• Project planning support including scheduling, risk, change control, and forecasting.
  
• Early integration of constructability and commissioning into design solutions.
  

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• Once‑in‑a‑generation investment in UK water infrastructure.
  
• Opportunity to collaborate with leading UK water companies, securing exposure to national‑scale programmes.
  
• End‑to‑end project influence — far beyond design alone.
  
• Career‑defining engineering challenges with real social impact.
  
• A platform to innovate, challenge convention, and shape future resilience.
  

You won’t just be part of the sector’s transformation — you’ll be a key part of defining it!

We would be delighted to hear from experienced engineers with a mix of the following skills and experience:

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• Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
  
• Professional Membership: Working toward or holding chartered status (e.g., IMechE or equivalent),
  
• Strong understanding of mechanical process basrd systems used in sectors such as water/wastewater/effluent/biomass treatment.
  
• Knowledge of UK water industry standards, H&S, and environmental compliance.
  
• Robust understanding of current health, safety and welfare legislation
  
• Experience across the project lifecycle within infrastructure or similar complex environments.
  
• Familiarity with design tools such as AutoCAD, Revit, or BIM (advantageous).
  

Joining Jacobs not only connects you locally but globally. Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and belonging. We put people at the heart of our business, and we truly believe that by supporting one another through our culture of caring, we all succeed. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees.

With safety and flexibility always top of mind, we’ve gone beyond traditional ways of working so you have the support, means and space to maximize your potential. You’ll uncover flexible working arrangements, benefits, and opportunities, from well‑being benefits to our global giving and volunteering program, to exploring new and inventive ways to help our clients make the world a better place. No matter what drives you, you’ll discover how you can cultivate, nurture, and achieve your goals – all at a single global company. Find out more about life at Jacobs.

We aim to embed inclusion and belonging in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected and creative. We accept people for who they are, and we champion the richness of different perspectives, lived experiences and backgrounds in the workplace, as a source of learning and innovation. We are committed to building vibrant communities within Jacobs, including through our Jacobs Employee Networks, Communities of Practice and our Find Your Community initiatives, allowing every employee to find connection, purpose, and belonging. Find out more about our Jacobs Employee Networks here.

Jacobs partners with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain talent from a wide range of backgrounds. For greater online accessibility please visit https://www.vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs to view and access our roles.

As a disability confident employer, we will interview disabled candidates who best meet the criteria. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.