Principal Mechanical Engineer

Mott MacDonald Bentley are recruiting for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join the Anglian Water @One Alliance.

As part of Anglian Water’s @one Alliance, we are on a mission to create a sustainable and resilient future for water. With an ambitious £2.3 billion capital investment in AMP8, we are revolutionising infrastructure, sustainability, and digital transformation to protect the environment and support growing communities.

Who are we?

Here within the @one Alliance we are a totally collaborative organisation made up of our seven partner companies (Anglian Water, Balfour Beatty, Barhale, MMB, MWH Treatment, Skanska and SWECO) and our extended supply chain, delivering over half of Anglian Water’s capital investment programme.

We are now in our most exciting and challenging Asset Management Period yet, known as AMP8, this will see us deliver a programme of work larger than we’ve ever delivered before. We’ll be embarking on a new kind of project delivery focusing on nature-based solutions like wetlands and urban drainage schemes.

We are driving change, empowering us to set global benchmarks and build a better environment, with the opportunity to offer enhanced growth and development to our workforce. We’re looking to build on our existing teams with an environment built for career progression.

With such an exciting portfolio of projects planned for AMP8 to keep the water flowing across the region, our ability to manage our work and outperform against our customer’s expectations will come under greater scrutiny. With a continued expectation to provide the highest standards of project design whilst ensuring we use innovation and creativity to deliver more with less, we are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our large and dynamic team.

As our Principal Mechanical Engineer, you\'ll lead the Senior Mechanical Engineers in designing and delivering cutting-edge value driven mechanical engineering solutions that adhere to water quality standards while reduce carbon, enhance natural capital, and embrace the challenges of climate change.

Strategic Leadership:

• Foster innovative ways of working to achieve sustainable outcomes rather than outputs.
• Represent the @one Alliance as the mechanical engineering authority, providing expert guidance on quality and compliance issues.
• Develop procedures, standards, and guidance to achieve a "right-first time" philosophy.
• Support the mechanical design team in delivering complex projects with suitable resources and methods.
• Provide direction and guidance to the team in appropriate design methods and assets.
• Collaborate with suppliers to ensure competency and performance and manage supplier frameworks.
• As part of the asset standards governance process identify, support, implement and approve standard products for delivery efficiency and consistency in projects.

Project Delivery:

• Support the identification of value-driven solutions at Stage 1 of projects.
• Conduct audits (internal and externa) to ensure compliance with quality standards and specifications.
• Lead the resolution of non-compliance issues, competency gaps, and procedural improvements.
• Offer expert direction for complex design challenges and stakeholder engagement.

Health & Safety:

• Drive excellence in compliance with CDM regulations, ensuring safe and compliant designs.
• Conduct audits on mechanical safety standards (e.g., HAZOP, DSEAR) and lead improvements.
• Proficiency and application of Regulation 31 in relation to mechanical assets in water projects

People & Team Development:

• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and career guidance to the mechanical engineering team.
• Champion professional development and qualifications while fostering an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment.
• Inspire a culture of experimentation, safe failure, and continuous improvement.
• Lead the introduction of new technologies and techniques to advance performance and sustainability.

To thrive in this role, you’ll need a strong background in mechanical engineering, preferably within water treatment or similar industries. Proven leadership experience, with the ability to inspire teams and drive innovation. A deep understanding of sustainability principles, including reducing carbon and protecting natural capital. Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills, and a passion for mentoring, professional development, and fostering a positive workplace culture.

At @one Alliance, you’ll be part of a dynamic, forward-thinking team that is shaping the future of the UK’s water infrastructure. We offer a collaborative and innovative working environment, where your expertise will be valued and your ideas will drive meaningful change.

At Mott MacDonald Bentley you will be offered a competitive salary which is commensurate based on your experience.

Our core benefits include:

• Pension matched by employer up to 7%
• Option to purchase, sell and carry over annual leave
• Life assurance / Private Medical Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance and Health Screening options
• 26 weeks maternity leave, enhanced paternity and adoption leave/ Shared parental leave
• Payment of annual professional institution subscription costs
• Gym Membership discounts UK wide
• Cycle to work scheme, interest free season ticket loans and discounted dining cards also available

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management and development consultancy.

Our purpose is to improve society by considering social outcomes in everything we do, relentlessly focusing on excellence and digital innovation, transforming our clients’ businesses, our communities and employee opportunities.

A fundamental part of this is respecting each person’s differences and striving to meet their needs.

We believe that because we care about what we do, we do things better.

We know that our people are our most valuable asset, so we are dedicated to investing in them, through our comprehensive training and development schemes, exposure to the wider design and build business and endless opportunities.

We are committed to creating a workplace where our people are safe, have a voice, can reach their full potential, and everyone shares in the rewards.

You’ll have the opportunity to contribute to projects that benefit our communities – from helping to secure water supplies for future generations to protecting homes and businesses from flood risk – our projects make a real difference.

A Mott MacDonald Bentley we welcome applications from all sectors of the community. We are dedicated to building a diverse workplace where everyone feels included, has the opportunity to thrive, and is treated with respect.

Even if you don’t meet every requirement for this role but are excited about the opportunity, we encourage you to apply. Find out more about our approach to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion here: https://www.mottmacbentley.co.uk/people .

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment practices are barrier-free and as inclusive as possible. This includes making adjustments during the job application process and throughout your future career with us. Please call or email to discuss any such adjustments that we can make. You can read more about our Equal Opportunities Policy here: Equality, diversity and inclusion - Mott MacDonald

We are committed to providing a flexible and agile working environment that supports both our employees and the needs of the business.