Principal Mechanical Engineer

Up to -63.50 per hour | Outside IR35 | 12-Month Contract | 4-Day Working Week
We are seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead engineering design teams on complex, safety-critical projects within the nuclear sector. This role combines technical leadership, engineering assurance and project delivery, with a strong focus on UKCA/CE marking, regulatory compliance, verification and validation, and nuclear safety.
Contract details

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  Rate: Up to -63.50 per hour, outside IR35
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  Duration: 12 months
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  Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Thursday
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  Security: Ideally hold current SC clearance or be eligible to obtain it

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  Lead and supervise mechanical engineering design teams, providing technical direction and oversight.
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  Plan and coordinate engineering activities, managing resources, budgets, schedules and delivery against project requirements.
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  Develop design basis documentation, identify engineering requirements and ensure nuclear and conventional safety principles are applied.
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  Oversee design risk assessments, technical interfaces and multidisciplinary engineering integration.
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  Ensure technical documentation supports UKCA/CE marking and demonstrates conformity with applicable legislation, regulations and standards.
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  Lead and record verification, validation and conformity assessment activities.
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  Conduct design reviews and check engineering deliverables for technical accuracy, quality and compliance.
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  Maintain awareness of the Machinery Directive, LOLER, PUWER, CDM and other relevant legislation.
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  Support project planning, tender responses, risk management and recovery strategies where delivery issues arise.
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  Promote continuous improvement, right-first-time quality and effective configuration control.
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  Mentor and develop engineers, support competency assessments and ensure effective allocation of engineering resources.

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  Relevant Level 6 qualification, such as a Bachelor''s degree with honours in an engineering discipline.
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  Proven experience in mechanical engineering design and technical leadership.
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  Experience leading or supervising engineering teams within a complex engineering environment.
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  Strong understanding of engineering compliance, design assurance and verification and validation.
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  Experience with UKCA/CE marking requirements, including technical documentation and conformity assessment.
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  Knowledge of the Machinery Directive, LOLER, PUWER, CDM and applicable engineering standards.
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  Experience managing engineering deliverables, resources, schedules and technical risks.
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  Strong stakeholder management skills and a commitment to quality, safety and continuous improvement.

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  Experience within the nuclear industry or another highly regulated, safety-critical environment.
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  Experience with machinery, process plant or complex mechanical systems.
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  Familiarity with nuclear safety principles and multidisciplinary design integration.
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  Current SC security clearance, or eligibility to obtain it.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead engineering teams on a long-term contract, taking ownership of design quality, regulatory compliance and safe engineering delivery.