Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer - Water Sector

The Opportunity

The UK water sector is undergoing its most ambitious period of investment in decades, and Stantec is at the forefront of delivering the infrastructure that will improve water security, protect the environment and support communities for generations to come. As AMP8 progresses, we're delivering major programmes for water companies across the South of England and are looking for a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our leadership team.

This is an opportunity to shape more than projects. You'll play a strategic role in the growth of our Mechanical Engineering discipline, working alongside industry-leading specialists to deliver innovative water and wastewater solutions while strengthening client relationships, developing future technical leaders and influencing engineering excellence across the region. With a diverse portfolio of projects, access to national and international expertise and a collaborative culture, you'll have the platform to make a lasting impact on both our business and the wider water industry.

About The Role

As a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will provide strategic technical leadership across major infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, overseeing the successful delivery of mechanical engineering solutions from feasibility and optioneering through to detailed design, construction support and commissioning.

You'll act as a senior technical authority across water and wastewater treatment works, pumping stations and conveyance systems, ensuring engineering solutions are innovative, sustainable and deliver long-term value for our clients. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams, contractors and key stakeholders, you'll drive technical governance, support project delivery and contribute to business development and framework growth across the South of England.

Alongside your technical responsibilities, you'll mentor and develop engineers across the business, providing line management, strengthening capability and helping shape the future direction of our Mechanical Engineering discipline.

YOUR IMPACT

Your leadership will help deliver some of the UK's most significant water infrastructure programmes, enabling our clients to respond to increasing environmental expectations, population growth and climate resilience challenges. Through technical excellence and strategic thinking, you'll influence investment decisions that improve operational performance, enhance sustainability and deliver resilient infrastructure for communities across the region.

Beyond project delivery, you'll help build the future of our business by developing technical leaders, embedding engineering best practice and driving continuous improvement across the Mechanical Engineering discipline. Your expertise will strengthen client confidence, support business growth and reinforce Stantec's reputation as a trusted leader in water engineering throughout AMP8 and beyond.

ABOUT YOU Essential

• Degree qualified (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or able to demonstrate equivalent professional experience.
• Extensive experience delivering complex mechanical engineering projects within the UK water sector.
• Proven experience providing technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes, pumping stations and mechanical systems.
• Experience leading, mentoring and developing high-performing engineering teams.
• Excellent communication, client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working collaboratively with contractors and delivery partners.
  
  

Desirable

• Experience supporting framework growth, bids and business development activities.
• Experience establishing engineering standards and technical governance.
• Knowledge of digital engineering tools and modern methods of project delivery.
• Experience leading regional or discipline-level initiatives.
  
  

WHY JOIN US

• We put people first: We're proud of our friendly, inclusive and collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and driven to succeed.
• We are driven to achieve: Named in the top 50 companies to work by Glassdoor 2025. Recognised by Corporate Knights as one of the world's top 10 most sustainable companies 2025. Named ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘International Consulting Firm of the Year’ at the NCE Awards 2024.
• We do what is right: Industry leading training and development as well as paid for professional subscriptions. A professional progression plan, supporting you to become chartered with ICE.
• We are better together: A supportive and collaborative team environment and Early Careers peer group and wider ERG network (see more on our ERGs here: Stantec Employee Resource Groups).
• Growth: We're on an exciting growth journey across the UK - we want you to be part of it!
• Great Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus schemes, enhanced pension plan, annual leave with the option to buy/sell additional days, private medical insurance, group income protection & life assurance included as standard as well as discounted gym membership and lots more.
• Hybrid / Flexible working: Enjoy a healthy work-life balance with our hybrid approach to flexible working.
  
  

If you're ready to combine strategic leadership with technical excellence and help shape the future of water infrastructure across the South of England, we'd love to hear from you.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world-class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply.

At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [email protected] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.