Principal Engineer Bedford | £75,000 | Full-Time Lead innovation. Shape strategy. Drive engineering excellence. Bedford Pumps are looking for an experienced Principal Engineer to take a leading role in driving technical excellence, product innovation and engineering strategy across the business. This is a senior position where you’ll work closely with leadership, sales and engineering teams to deliver high-quality, value-driven pumping solutions across the full project lifecycle. The Role of a Principal Engineer As Principal Engineer, you will: * Lead R&D and innovation initiatives to support business growth * Provide technical leadership across engineering teams * Translate customer requirements into practical, high-quality solutions * Support product strategy and standardisation to improve efficiency and reduce costs * Oversee pump and motor selection, design and performance * Lead root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives * Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements * Support customers with technical expertise across installation, operation and maintenance About You * Strong experience in mechanical engineering, ideally within pumps, rotating equipment or similar * Solid understanding of hydraulics, pump design and performance * Commercial awareness with the ability to align engineering with business needs * Confident communicator with strong problem-solving skills * Proactive, detail-oriented and able to work across multiple projects Experience within the water industry or working with industry standards (ISO, API, HI) is beneficial but not essential. What’s on Offer * Salary: £75,000 * Bonus scheme * Friday half-days * Enhanced maternity and paternity pay * Life assurance (4x salary) * Pension scheme * Buy holiday scheme * Cycle to work scheme * Employee Assistance Programme * Ongoing training and development * Refer a friend scheme This is a fantastic opportunity to join a well-established engineering business and play a key role in shaping its future. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion