Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Ready to lead the future of engineering?

We’re looking for a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer who thrives on innovation and solving complex challenges. Join us and help shape the ‘Intelligent Client’ that will drive our AMP8 ambitions and beyond.

In this role, you’ll be at the forefront of mechanical design in the water and wastewater industry—leading high-impact projects, collaborating with expert teams, and ensuring designs meet the highest standards. You’ll investigate root causes, influence project direction with your technical expertise, and pioneer new technologies through cutting-edge research.

This is your chance to help build a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for engineering and support the development of a sustainable talent pipeline—from graduates to industry leaders.

Be part of Thames Water’s engineering transformation. Apply now and make your mark on AMP8 and beyond.

What you’ll be doing as a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

• Complete the design of complex engineering processes in the water and wastewater industry.
• Support multidisciplinary teams in developing solutions to engineering challenges for operational plants to ensure adherence to stringent design codes.
• Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams for mechanically biased projects.
• Undertake equipment failure root cause analysis investigations to establish failure methods and reduce the impact and future occurrence.
• Provide technical input into project definition briefs.
• Provide mechanical input into asset surveys and plant condition assessments, feasibility studies, whole-life costing, and preliminary designs.
• Provide technical sign-off and assurance during technical delivery, including handover.
• Ensure we are compliant with engineering-based regulatory requirements in their area.
• Support testing and development of new technologies for implementation in research projects.
• Provide the technical sign-off (accountability) and assurance that the project's needs will be fulfilled during technical delivery, including handover and commissioning.
• Support the establishment of a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for engineering.
• Support the establishment of a cohesive, sustainable engineering structure from graduate to industry experts that leads Thames Water’s engineering requirements into AMP8 and beyond.

Hybrid – Clearwater Court (Reading), you will be required in the office and on-site 2-3 days a week and as the business requires.

36 hours a week, Monday to Friday. Flexible working opportunities.

You must have a driver's licence and access to a vehicle for this role.

What you should bring to the role

The essential criteria you need:

• Be a recognised senior engineer (Chartered or close to achieving Chartered Status) in Mechanical Engineering with experience in the water industry or a closely related equivalent sector.
• Be degree qualified or equivalent in mechanical engineering with a relevant awarding body/working towards chartership.
• Have design engineering experience.
• Provide background on supporting quantity surveyors/cost estimating teams in the scope development for cost modelling and budgetary proposals.
• Be knowledgeable in any of the following: pumps/pipe systems, sludge, gas/CHP systems, and water/wastewater treatment process equipment.
• Understand the regulatory environment to achieve compliance with our engineering regulatory requirements.

What’s in it for you? 

• Competitive salary from £55,000 to £70,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service.
• Access to many benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well-being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.