Jacobs
Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water
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Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water
Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – UK Water Sector Transformation
Location: UK (collaboration with major water providers) Employment Type: Permanent Industry: Water & Infrastructure
About the Role
At Jacobs, we’re pioneering the UK’s most significant water sector transformation in decades. This newly created role allows you to:
- Drive high-impact engineering solutions shaping Design & Build CAPEX and OPEX projects across the sector.
- Collaborate with United Utilities, Northumbrian Water, Thames Water, Severn Trent, and Anglian Water to deliver resilient, sustainable, and innovative water and wastewater infrastructure.
- Influence projects from early-stage design to operational handover, defining new industry standards.
Your work will directly improve millions of lives while tackling complex engineering challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Design & Technical Leadership
- Lead mechanical design for critical assets:
- Pumping stations
- Treatment plants
- Resilience-enhancing infrastructure
- Conduct value engineering and buildability improvements to drive real-world impact.
- Support feasibility studies, detailed design, and commissioning for large-scale programmes.
Technical Expertise & Outputs
- Produce high-quality deliverables, including:
- Layouts, specifications, datasheets
- P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams)
- Specify and size equipment across:
- Pumps, blowers, valves
- Screening, dosing, and odour control systems
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Project & Stakeholder Engagement
- Conduct site investigations and engage with:
- Water companies
- Contractors
- Suppliers
- Ensure compliance with:
- UK water industry standards
- Health & safety regulations
- Environmental requirements
Team Collaboration & Planning
- Provide technical mentoring and guidance to multidisciplinary teams.
- Support project planning, including:
- Scheduling
- Risk management
- Change control
- Forecasting
- Integrate constructability and commissioning into design from the outset.
Why Join Jacobs?
This isn’t just a job—it’s a career-defining opportunity to: ✅ Shape national-scale water infrastructure with menial transformation. ✅ Collaborate with leading water sector firms on flagship projects. ✅ Innovate and challenge convention behind world-changing solutions. ✅ Join a company committed to inclusion, flexibility, and global impact.
Requirements & Qualifications
Essential Skills & Experience
- **Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
- Working toward or holding chartered status (e.g., IMechE).
- Proven understanding of mechanical process systems in:
- Water/wastewater
- Effluent/biomass treatment
- Strong knowledge of UK water standards, H&S, and environmental compliance.
- Experience across the ** full project lifecycle**, from concept to handover.
- Proficiency in design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, BIM—advantageous).
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Desirable Attributes
- Experience in large-scale infrastructure or high-value programmes.
- Familiarity with P&ID standards and process validation.
Background & Culture
At Jacobs, we foster a culture founded on: 🔹 Safety, integrity, and inclusion—driven by a genuine commitment to people. 🔹 Flexibility & hybrid working—balancing in-person collaboration with remote flexibility. 🔹 Well-being support—mental health initiatives, global volunteering, and career development. 🔹 Community & belonging—through Employee Networks (ERGs) and Constructive Learning.
We are a disability-confident employer, actively supporting flexible working and diverse ambitions.
Applications from underrepresented groups and those seeking adjusted recruitment processes are welcomed. Register with VERCIDA (vercida.com/uk/employers/jacobs).
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