Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Location: Warrington, UK Company: Global Nuclear Engineering OEM Salary: £75,000 basic + Excellent Pension + Flexible & Hybrid Working + Outstanding Benefits

About the Principal Mechanical Design Engineer Role:

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to join a global leader in nuclear engineering, based near Warrington.

This is a senior-level opportunity to lead the design and development of bespoke, complex, and heavy mechanical handling and process machinery.

You'll be instrumental in delivering high-integrity systems for the nuclear sector, overseeing projects from FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) through to final delivery.

This role offers the chance to shape technical direction, mentor engineering teams, and influence innovation in a highly regulated and safety-critical environment.

Key Responsibilities of Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

• Lead and oversee the mechanical design of custom-engineered systems for nuclear and industrial applications.
• Manage full project lifecycle from concept and FEED to detailed design, manufacture, and delivery.
• Apply advanced CAD (e.g., SolidWorks, Inventor) and FEA (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus) tools to develop and validate robust designs.
• Ensure compliance with industry codes and standards (ASME, BS EN, RCC-M, etc.).
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to design teams, fostering a culture of engineering excellence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including project management, manufacturing, and quality assurance to ensure successful project outcomes.

  What We're Looking For

  • Extensive experience as a Mechanical Design Engineer in a regulated industry (nuclear, defence, oil & gas, aerospace, etc.).
  • Proven track record in leading the design of bespoke machinery, heavy mechanical handling systems, or process equipment.
  • High proficiency in 3D CAD and Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
  • Strong understanding of FEED, design for manufacture (DFM), and lifecycle engineering.
  • Experience working to nuclear or safety-critical standards.
  • Exceptional leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.

    Why Join Us?

    • Join a global OEM at the forefront of nuclear engineering innovation.
    • Lead mission-critical projects with real-world impact.
    • Thrive in a collaborative, technically challenging environment with clear career progression.
    • Enjoy a competitive £75,000 basic salary, excellent pension, hybrid working, and a comprehensive benefits package.
    • Access to outstanding professional, career, and technical development opportunities.

      To find out more about Progressive please visit www.progressiverecruitment.com

      Progressive Recruitment, a trading division of SThree Partnership LLP is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy | Registered office | 8 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4BQ, United Kingdom| Partnership Number | OC387148 England and Wales