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 technologiesYou 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