Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Job Title: Mechanical Design Engineer - Water Projects (AMP8 Framework)
Location:
Hybrid 1-2 days a week in Preston
Rate:
£350 - £400 per day - Outside IR35 (Depending On Experience)
Contract Type:
Initial 12-month contract with potential for extension.
Start Date:
ASAP

Overview:
We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with strong experience in the water sector to support high-profile projects as part of the AMP8 investment programme. This role is embedded within a multidisciplinary engineering team and focuses on delivering design and technical assurance for water and wastewater treatment schemes across the multiple Water regions.
This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to long-term, sustainable water infrastructure improvements through technically rewarding project work in a flexible and collaborative setting.

Key Responsibilities:
·Deliver mechanical design solutions for complex water and wastewater treatment infrastructure.
·Provide engineering input across all design stages - including concept, feasibility, optioneering, and preliminary design.
·Carry out condition assessments, asset surveys, and root cause analysis for plant and equipment failures.
·Contribute to whole-life cost analysis, project briefs, and technical reports.
·Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to resolve mechanical challenges on operational assets.
·Ensure all solutions are technically robust, compliant with regulations, and aligned with best practices in the water industry.
·Support project delivery and commissioning phases through technical review and assurance.
·Provide engineering advice and mentorship as required to junior members of the team.

Requirements:
·Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering or similar.
·Chartered status or working towards chartership with a relevant professional institution (e.g., IMechE) preferred.
·Minimum 5 years' post-graduate experience.
·Experience delivering mechanical design work in a consultancy or design-led environment.
·Familiarity with AMP7 or AMP8 frameworks is highly desirable.
·Strong communication skills and a proactive, solution-oriented approach to engineering delivery.

Desirable Background:
Candidates who have previously worked on frameworks for UK water utilities such as:
·Thames Water
·Wessex Water
·Welsh Water
·Northern Ireland Water
·Anglian Water
·Severn Trent
·United Utilities
·Southern Water
·South West Water
·Northumbrian Water
will be at a distinct advantage.

If you're an experienced mechanical engineer looking to apply your expertise to vital UK water infrastructure projects, we'd love to hear from you