Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location/s: Manchester or Altrincham, UK
Recruiter contact: Gillian Wilson

Mott Mac Donald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee‑owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued.

Whatever your ambition, Mott Mac Donald is where people come to be brilliant.

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

We are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our growing TA/OE thermal team in our Energy Transition business that is part of the ETR division. This role offers an exciting opportunity to work on a diverse portfolio of thermal projects. You will collaborate with clients both locally, nationally and internationally while contributing to some of the most impactful energy and infrastructure projects in the industry.

This is a fantastic opportunity to play a key role in delivering solutions for the energy sector while advancing your career in a supportive and forward‑thinking environment.

• Lead mechanical engineering aspects of multi‑discipline design projects, from feasibility to detailed design stages
• Work on a diverse range of thermal OE/TA projects
• Liaise with clients to develop and deliver innovative solutions tailored to their needs
• Produce and oversee the creation of high‑quality design and technical documentation
• Provide quality assurance through surveillance, review, and checking of team outputs
• Collaborate with multi‑disciplinary teams to deliver fit‑for‑purpose engineering solutions
• Visit client sites as required and promote further opportunities to enhance client relationships
• Ensure safety is an integral part of mechanical engineering design and project delivery
• Present and defend solutions to complex problems in client‑facing environments

Essential:

• Chartered or working toward chartership with IMechE or equivalent
• Extensive engineering experience across power generation, EPC, and consultancy
• Strong technical background in thermal transition, power plants including CCGT and carbon capture technologies
• Proven delivery of mechanical engineering packages, advisory services, feasibility studies, and design reviews
• Solid understanding of industry standards, legislation, FEED, and detailed design requirements
• Strong commercial awareness with OE/TA project experience
• Excellent communication and client‑facing skills, with the ability to lead and collaborate within multi‑disciplinary teams
• Proactive, organised, and committed to continuous professional development and staying current with industry advancements

Mott Mac Donald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK,…