Principal Mechanical Design Engineer – AMP8 (United Utilities Framework)
Location: Hybrid – Remote with 2 days per week in Warrington office
Rate: £50–£65 per hour (DOE) – Outside IR35
Contract: Ltd Company
Sector: Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
We are seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to support the AMP8 programme for United Utilities. This opportunity is ideal for a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer with a strong background in mechanical engineering within the UK water sector, looking to lead complex mechanical design and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering delivery across major infrastructure projects.
The Role – Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, you will provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary design teams and ensure the successful delivery of high-quality mechanical engineering solutions throughout the AMP8 programme. You will play a key role in leading mechanical design while working closely with multidiscipline teams including civil, mechanical, electrical, and process engineers to deliver coordinated and technically robust design outputs.
This is a design-focused role rather than a site-based position, making it ideal for a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer with strong technical expertise and leadership experience within complex engineering environments.
Key Responsibilities
As a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer, your responsibilities will include:
- Leading mechanical design delivery across water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
- Providing technical leadership and mentoring within the mechanical engineering team.
- Managing and coordinating multidisciplinary teams, including civil, mechanical, electrical, and process disciplines.
- Producing and reviewing mechanical designs, calculations, specifications, and drawings.
- Ensuring compliance with UK water industry standards and best practice.
- Supporting design reviews, value engineering, and risk management activities.
- Acting as a key technical interface with stakeholders, clients, and framework partners.
- Driving innovation and continuous improvement across AMP8 design delivery.
Essential Experience
- Proven experience as a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer or Senior Mechanical Engineer within the UK water sector.
- Strong technical background in mechanical design for water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Experience working within AMP frameworks or with major UK water utilities.
- Excellent understanding of UK engineering standards and design methodologies.
- Proven ability to lead mechanical design and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
Qualifications
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
- Ideally Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working towards chartership.
- Professional membership (e.g. IMechE) preferred.
Why Join?
- Opportunity to work on the AMP8 programme with United Utilities.
- Competitive outside IR35 contract rates (£50–£65/hour DOE).
- Long-term contract potential within a stable framework environment.
- Hybrid working: remote with 2 days per week based in the Warrington office.