Principal Mechanical Engineer - #2170979

We are looking for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our Severn Trent Water framework Design team.

Location: Due to the nature of the role, we welcome applications anywhere in the Severn Trent region (East & West Midlands)

Benefits: company bonus scheme, enhanced annual leave entitlement, family-friendly policies, and a company car or car allowance.

Due to continued growth, Avove is seeking a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our expanding Design team. You will lead the delivery of mechanical design across a varied portfolio of water and wastewater projects, providing technical leadership to multi-disciplinary teams from feasibility through to detailed design.

The role involves developing practical, high-quality solutions for pumping stations, treatment works, mechanical screening, chemical dosing and sludge handling systems, while producing robust design packages that support successful project delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of high‑quality, innovative and cost‑effective design solutions in line with project briefs and client requirements.
• Deliver projects through feasibility, preliminary and detailed design stages, maintaining high technical standards throughout.
• Provide technical leadership, including checking and approving designs, calculations, drawings, technical reports, contract documents and cost estimates.
• Liaise closely with clients, stakeholders and site construction teams to ensure clear communication and successful project delivery.
• Manage and mentor a multi‑disciplinary team of engineers and technicians, including performance reviews and professional development.
• Lead on bid preparation, contract development, project planning, programming, resource management and budget control.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and environmental legislation, including CDM regulations, and adherence to the integrated management system.
• Stay informed of new technologies, industry developments and best practice to drive innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills/experience Required:

• Proven ability to produce, check and approve detailed mechanical design outputs for complex process plant.
• Excellent working knowledge of both wastewater and clean water treatment processes.
• Strong capability to develop practical, robust engineering solutions.
• A creative, forward‑thinking approach, identifying innovative solutions that add value and give Avove a competitive edge.
• Working knowledge of civil and electrical disciplines would be advantageous.
• Ability to prepare accurate bottom‑up cost estimates.
• Experience managing and delivering multiple projects simultaneously.
• A proactive team player and effective communicator, capable of managing design delivery from concept through to construction, including site support.
• Willingness to travel as required, including occasional overnight stays.
• Full driving licence required.

This role is not eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Visa process. Applicants must therefore have, and maintain, an alternative right to work for the duration of employment.

What’s in it for you

We offer a rewarding salary that is tailored to your skills and experience. But that’s not all! We celebrate hard work and give recognition to our colleagues. In addition to this, we understand that one size doesn’t fit all so everyone has access to a variety of flexible benefits that work for you.

• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Company car or car allowance
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Family friendly policies
• A selection of lifestyle benefit options
• Financial wellbeing programme
• Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing and onsite mental health first aiders to support our colleagues
• We love to give back so we offer you volunteering days in your community and charity matched giving where we will boost your fundraising.

About us

We design, build and maintain the UK’s utilities infrastructure to help transform local communities for the better. We provide cutting-edge and sustainable engineering solutions and play a critical role in helping to keep the water running, the lights on and people connected.

We are an expert, responsible and agile partner, providing vital services to water, power and telecommunications sectors. We work closely with our clients to help protect and improve their assets, enhance customer experience and protect the natural environment. Everything we do is designed to drive continual improvement and move life forward.

We are proud to work in partnership with leading utility providers, including Severn Trent, United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Northern PowerGrid, Northumbrian Water Group, Welsh Water, and Scottish Power Energy Networks.

We are an equal opportunities employer

We welcome applications from candidates of all races, genders, disabilities, religions, ages and sexual orientations. We know that having a diverse workforce encourages new perspectives, inspires creativity and creates an engaging workplace and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all colleagues can thrive. When it comes to inclusion, we’re making sure we keep up the progress with our Communities of Practice, who help us do just that.

What next

We encourage you to apply for this role as soon as you can. We recognise talent waits for no one, so we progress candidates individually through all stages of recruitment process.