Principal Mechanical Engineer – Low Carbon

Sector: Energy Transition / Power & Industrial
Location: Remote (UK) with occasional travel to Manchester, London, Newcastle & Glasgow offices
Contract Type: 6-month rolling contract
IR35 Status: Inside IR35
Rate: Up to £65.00 per hour (Umbrella)

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to join a growing Energy Transition team, supporting the design and delivery of next-generation low-carbon and zero-carbon energy infrastructure.

This is a senior technical role within a multidisciplinary engineering environment, offering the opportunity to influence major UK energy projects spanning conventional power, emerging low-carbon technologies, and first-of-a-kind systems.

You will lead mechanical engineering delivery across the full project lifecycle-from feasibility and concept design through to detailed design, construction, operation, and decommissioning.

Project Scope

Projects will include a broad range of energy transition and industrial systems, such as:

• Conventional power generation
• Energy-from-waste facilities
• Industrial energy systems
• Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
• Future fuels and first-of-a-kind low-carbon technologies

You will work closely with developers, utilities, EPC contractors, OEMs, government bodies, and financial stakeholders to deliver safe, efficient, and innovative engineering solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of mechanical engineering solutions across all project stages
• Deliver work across:
  • Feasibility studies
  • Concept design
  • FEED
  • Value engineering
  • Detailed design
• Produce mechanicaldeliverables including:
  • Equipment specifications and datasheets
  • Engineering calculations
  • Turbine, compressor, pump, pressure vessel and heat exchanger specifications
• Collaborate with process engineers on PFDs and P&IDs
• Support plant layout development and 3D model reviews
• Work with OEMs and vendors to assess and evaluate technical proposals
• Provide technical input on plant integrity and operational issues
• Contribute to mechanical discipline bids and multidisciplinary proposals

Required Skills & Experience

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• Chartered Engineer status (or working towards IEng/CEng) with a relevant professional institution
• Significant post-graduate experience in Power Generation or Oil & Gas
• Strong understanding of industry codes and standards for plant and piping systems
• Experience in pressure vessel and piping design, including stress analysis
• Familiarity with plant layout and 3D modelling environments
• Strong proficiency in:
  • MS Excel (schedules, datasheets)
  • MathCAD (engineering calculations)
• Experience with operational thermal plant, including troubleshooting and integrity assessment
• Knowledge of gas turbine systems (reciprocating engines desirable)
• Experience working with OEMs, EPC contractors, or similar organisations
• O&M experience highly desirable

Additional Information

• Remote working with occasional UK office visits
• Exposure to major energy transition and low-carbon infrastructure programmes
• Collaborative multidisciplinary engineering environment
• Opportunity to work on innovative, first-of-a-kind technologies

Summary

This is an excellent opportunity for a senior Mechanical Engineer to take a leading role in delivering complex energy transition projects, shaping the future of low-carbon infrastructure across the UK and beyond.