Mechanical Authorising Engineer

Position: Mechanical Authorising Engineer

Location: Hertfordshire, Sussex, Bristol or Exeter (Covering South of England)

Salary Guide: 75,000 - 85,000 Plus Car/Allowance and Excellent Package

Our client is a Tier 1 Design & Build Contractor operating predominantly in the water industry who have been awarded a programme of work to deliver non-infrastructure water and wastewater projects for throughout the South of England. They are recruiting for a Mechanical Authorising Engineer who will be the senior accountable leader for Mechanical safety governance and technical assurance. You will own the Mechanical Safety Rules and Authorisation Framework, set standards, and ensure robust compliance with statutory requirements and industry codes across all sites. You will lead a team of Mechanical Appointed Persons, providing direction, oversight, and assurance for design, installation, operation, maintenance, and contractor control of mechanical assets.

The role safeguards people, assets, and operations through disciplined risk management, competency-based authorisation and continual improvement.

Responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the H&S team in matters of mechanical safety.
• Authorising and administration of the Mechanical Safety Rules, associated procedures, and Permit-to-Work arrangements.
• Providing professional and technical guidance on mechanical construction & mechanical contracting delivery.
• Owns, interprets and monitors the use of the regional Mechanical Safety Rules.
• Lead, coach, and performance-manage Mechanical Authorising Engineers (MAEs).
• Set criteria for authorisation levels (e.g., Authorised Person (AP), Competent Person (CP), switching authorities, test & inspection).
• Oversee initial authorisations, renewals, suspensions, and relocations, etc.
• Chair authorisation panels.
• Ensure competency is evidenced (training, experience logs, assessments, shadowing, refreshers, and CPD)
• Maintain central registers of authorisations, training, and critical competencies.
• Provide senior technical guidance on mechanical design standards, pressure system integrity, and statutory compliance.
• Lead investigations of mechanical incidents/near-misses; produce root-cause analyses and corrective actions.
• Define requirements for contractor competence, pre-qualification, and supervision.
• Conduct internal audits.
• Maintaining the identity and importance of the Mechanical Safety Rules to the wider business. Mechanical safety awareness training for PM's and Construction Managers.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Registered with a relevant engineering institution (e.g. IMechE) as a Chartered Engineer or Incorporated Engineer.
• Significant and extensive experience in mechanical systems design, operations and maintenance.
• Master's Degree or Bachelor's Degree. HND or HNC in Mechanical Engineering or similar qualification will be considered based on additional experience.
• Prior role as Mechanical Authorising Engineer (AE), Mechanical Senior Authorised Person (SAP), MEICA Manager or equivalent is strongly preferred.
• Experienced in verifying safe systems of work.
• Must be able to demonstrate a good understanding of UK health and safety legislation and an ability to carry out risk assessments and propose actions for risk control/management.