Principal Mechanical Engineer

Help us to make a world of difference

Urenco is a global leader in the production of low carbon energy. We work at the cutting edge of the transition to a sustainable, net zero world.

We are seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our team at our Capenhurst site. In this role, you will deliver specialist mechanical engineering expertise within the UUK Engineering & Projects department, ensuring the development and implementation of safe, efficient, and cost-effective design solutions.

You will be involved throughout the full engineering and project lifecycle, including:

• Requirements capture
• Option evaluation (Optioneering)
• Design development and delivery
• Review and approval of technical documentation
• Oversight of installation and construction activities
• Support for testing, commissioning, and project handover

In addition, you will provide authoritative mechanical engineering input across a range of technical forums, proactively resolving issues and taking ownership of challenges as they arise.

At Urenco we’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. If you feel you meet some, but not all of what we're looking for, please still apply. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training and development experiences. Along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry.

What you’ll do:

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will play a key role in the successful delivery of engineering projects, providing technical leadership and ensuring all outputs meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and compliance. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading the production of high-quality mechanical engineering deliverables in line with cost, schedule, UUK design procedures, applicable codes and standards, and nuclear site licence requirements.
• Providing expert technical input and regular progress updates across a range of project and engineering forums.
• Identifying and implementing robust technical solutions to complex site-based challenges.
• Taking a holistic view of engineering changes, considering cross-discipline impacts and ensuring integrated solutions.
• Conducting and leading technical investigations and producing clear, actionable recommendations.
• Supporting or leading commissioning activities where authorised, ensuring systems are delivered and verified in line with requirements.
• Preparing detailed specifications and scopes of work for contractor engagement, and managing their delivery against agreed expectations.
• Overseeing contractor performance to ensure timely, specification-compliant work in accordance with UUK standards and procedures.
• Actively progressing the development of your knowledge of UUK assets, processes, and business drivers to enhance decision-making and project outcomes.
• Proactively managing your own Continued Professional Development (CPD), recording both formal and on-the-job learning to support professional registration, SQEP status, and career progression.

What do you need to thrive in this role?

To succeed as a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you will need a strong technical foundation, relevant industry experience, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, regulated environment. The key requirements include:

• A degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. Mechanical Engineering).
• A solid understanding of engineering design processes within highly regulated industries, ideally nuclear or similar.
• In-depth knowledge of current engineering practices related to mechanical design, with a focus on safety through design and lifecycle engineering.
• A working knowledge of other engineering disciplines, plant systems, and technologies used within Urenco or comparable environments.
• Familiarity with applicable UK and international engineering standards, particularly those relevant to mechanical design within the nuclear sector.
• An appreciation of current health, safety, and environmental legislation and how it applies to engineering design and project delivery.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, Documentum, and SAP.
• The ability to use, or a willingness to develop skills in, specialist software tools (e.g. system modelling or mechanical simulation packages).

What can you expect from us?

More than just a job, we offer a future. More than just a place to work, we provide an opportunity to prosper.  As an employee of Urenco you will receive:

• Generous Annual Leave: Starting at 25 days, increasing by one day every two years (up to 30 days), plus 13 additional flexible days. Option to buy or sell up to 5 holiday days.
• Family-Friendly Policies: A wide range of policies to support work-life balance and family needs.
• Bonus Scheme: A competitive bonus scheme based on company and individual performance.
• Pension Scheme: Defined contribution plan with up to 16% employer contribution.
• Private Medical & Dental Cover: Single coverage with the option to purchase additional benefits.
• Flexible Benefits: Life assurance, income protection, and other options tailored to your lifestyle, with tax and National Insurance savings.
• Training & Development: A focus on continuous learning, with personalised training packages to support your career growth, including mandatory health and safety courses.

Creating a diverse and inclusive workforce

As a truly global company with a presence in the UK, USA, Germany, and the Netherlands, we know that our individual differences make us stronger. Putting people at the heart of our business, we strive to create an open and inclusive workplace that allows every voice to be heard and diversity to thrive. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, please let our talent acquisition team know.

Because together, we are one Urenco. We are enriching the world. And enriching your future.

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