Principal Mechanical Engineer

Are you an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer who enjoys solving complex technical problems, improving asset reliability and ensuring engineering systems are safe and compliant? If youre looking for a role with real impact across one of the UKs most unique and high-profile infrastructure environments, this could be the perfect opportunity.

Were supporting a major organisation responsible for engineering governance, assurance and asset management across a large, highly regulated maritime estate in Portsmouth. Youll join a specialist team of senior engineers who support mission-critical mechanical and saltwater systems, working in an environment where no two days are the same.

Whats the role all about?

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, youll be a key part of the Engineering, Assurance & Compliance team, providing technical leadership across mechanical systems, rotating machinery, hydraulic systems and saltwater infrastructure.

Youll take ownership of complex engineering challenges, drive safe-to-operate assurance, and make sure assets are managed, maintained and developed in line with statutory and regulatory requirements.

In this role, you will:

• Provide engineering governance and assurance for mechanical and saltwater systems
• Own technical issues, produce safety management systems and unblock engineering problems
• Review asset condition and present findings to asset owners
• Support the development and implementation of maintenance strategies (including Condition & Risk-Based Maintenance)
• Contribute to updates of Asset Management Plans and long-term improvement strategies
• Collaborate with engineering teams to drive solutions and continuous improvement
• Support efforts aligned with Net Zero Carbon engineering strategies

This is a senior-level engineering role where your decisions genuinely influence safety, reliability and strategic infrastructure planning.

What youll bring

To succeed as a Principal Mechanical Engineer, youll need:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent)
• Chartered status or working toward chartership (CEng preferred)
• Significant experience in mechanical engineering within a regulated or infrastructure environment
• Strong technical understanding of saltwater systems, hydraulic systems, rotating machinery
• Experience creating and implementing maintenance strategies
• Ability to balance systems-level thinking with component-level detail
• Knowledge of compliance requirements for mechanical systems within built or maritime estates
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder-management skills

Who you are

Youre a confident and influential engineer who enjoys taking ownership, solving problems and supporting others. You think strategically, can explain complex engineering concepts clearly, and work well with both senior stakeholders and technical teams.

Youll be:

• Organised and proactive
• Engaging and collaborative
• Skilled at communicating technical information
• Driven by quality, safety and continuous improvement

Whats in it for you?

• £60,000£68,000 salary
• 25 days holiday + bank holidays
• Enhanced pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Group income protection
• Internal benefits & discounts programme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Professional development & career progression
• Wellbeing & occupational health services
• Reward & recognition initiatives

Ready to take the next step?

If youre an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer looking for a role where your expertise truly makes an impact, wed love to hear from you.

Apply today or reach out for a confidential chat.

Kingdom People are acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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