Principal Process Engineer – Nuclear
Leading Consultancy | Manchester or Warrington based | Long-term Contract | Outside IR35 | Competitive Rate | Security Clearance Required
The Opportunity
We're recruiting an experienced Process Engineering Responsible Engineer on a long-term contract basis to lead the process design and engineering delivery on a major nuclear licensed facility project. This is a senior technical and management role where you'll have full authority as Lead Engineer for the discipline, managing both internal engineers and external consultants to deliver designs on time, within budget, and in full technical compliance.
You'll manage the process design and engineering aspects of the programme, ensuring all requirements for the nuclear licensed site are met. You'll lead a team of process engineers, own discipline quality and programme targets, and represent process engineering at the highest level with clients, stakeholders and vendors. This role demands both hands-on technical expertise and proven leadership -someone who can drive technical excellence whilst managing delivery and people effectively.
What You'll Be Doing
Technical Leadership & Delivery
1. Support a team of process engineers on assigned engineering design projects
2. Execute the process engineering scope of work according to contract requirements, in full compliance with company, client and nuclear regulatory standards
3. Own discipline quality, programme and cost targets
4. Perform own design work and check work by others in accordance with company procedures
5. Approve project deliverables when authorised by the Technical Authority
Programme & Risk Management
6. Ensure all designs are safe, sustainable, and efficient to construct
7. Manage technical risk and ensure compliance with nuclear facility requirements
8. Develop discipline programme activities and deliverables, plan for adequate resources
9. Monitor and report design progress and man-hour usage to the project management team
10. Ensure adherence to management systems and digital processes to provide stakeholder assurance
Stakeholder & Team Engagement
11. Represent Process Engineering in client meetings, vendor discussions and third-party negotiations
12. Work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary project delivery teams
13. Ensure integration of Process Engineering design requirements into the overall engineering design
14. Lead and mentor the process engineering team
15. Develop and influence relationships with key stakeholders
Compliance & Safety
16. Ensure personal and team compliance with company policy, relevant legislation, and Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental requirements
17. Maintain and champion safety culture across all activities
18. Support security clearance processes and compliance with nuclear site requirements
About You
Essential Experience & Qualifications
19. Minimum 15 years' experience in technical delivery and management roles in an engineering or consultancy environment
20. Experienced process engineering technical specialist with proven capability in complex project delivery
21. Recent UK project experience with understanding of the full delivery process from work winning to scheme handover
22. Extensive technical and leadership experience in the process discipline, including managing and leading multi-disciplinary projects and teams
23. Proven track record in collaborative, innovative and agile working environments
24. Customer-facing capability with the ability to develop and influence relationships at all levels
25. Strong people skills with proven line management, mentoring and team development experience
26. Excellent communicator (written and verbal) with strong technical writing ability
27. Meticulous and methodical approach with strong attention to detail
28. Ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines
29. UK driving license with willingness to travel across the UK and visit project sites and suppliers, occasionally at short notice
Desirable
30. Knowledge and experience across a range of sectors including oil & gas, nuclear, water, chemical, and industrial
31. Knowledge and understanding of UK technical and regulatory standards and global best practice
32. Strong engineering and business system/software skills
33. Previous experience working on nuclear or heavily regulated projects
Security Clearance
The successful candidate will need to obtain security clearance to work on this nuclear licensed facility project.
The Role in Practice
You'll be based in Manchester or Warrington, with desirability to travel to Cumbria up to two days per week. You'll report to the Process Discipline Manager and Project Engineering Manager, supported by the discipline Technical Authority.
You'll engage on a long-term contract basis working on a strategically important nuclear project. This role combines hands-on technical expertise with team leadership and programme management -ideal for someone who wants to drive technical excellence on a high-profile, complex facility.
Why This Role
We're recruiting on behalf of a leading engineering consultancy delivering critical infrastructure on a major UK nuclear facility. This is a significant technical and leadership opportunity on a well-resourced, strategically important project. You'll be working with a strong technical team and stakeholders across the nuclear sector, with the chance to shape how process engineering is delivered on one of the UK's priority infrastructure programmes.