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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 (url removed)
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 | OC(phone number removed) England and Wales
