Principal mechanical engineer

Job Title: Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Whitehaven, Cumbria + Hybrid Working Arrangements

Compensation: Competitive + Benefits

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF70329

Lead Engineering Excellence in Nuclear Decommissioning

At Cavendish Nuclear, we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together. If you join us, you can play your part as a Principal Mechanical Engineer at either of our Westlake’s Science Park, Moor Row or Warrington, Cheshire sites.

Role

As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll play a pivotal role in one of the UK’s major civil nuclear decommissioning programmes. Working as a senior technical authority within a multidisciplinary engineering environment, you’ll drive the integration of complex mechanical systems and develop innovative solutions that directly support the safe deconstruction and long‑term management of nuclear facilities.

You’ll lead engineering teams, oversee high‑integrity technical outputs, safeguard design quality, and act as a primary interface for customers—while mentoring engineers and championing continuous improvement across projects. This role places you at the technical forefront of a major expansion within the Cavendish Nuclear Design Services Alliance.

Day‑to‑day responsibilities include:

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver high‑quality technical solutions
• Supervise and mentor engineers and technical specialists to ensure performance and development
• Act as a key liaison with customers, ensuring transparent communication and technical clarity
• Oversee production, review, and approval of engineering outputs—including calculations, specifications, and reports
• Champion safety, quality, and engineering best practice across all project activities

This is a full‑time position working 37 hours over 5 days per week, based at either of our Westlake’s Science Park, Moor Row or Warrington, Cheshire sites.

Essential experience

• Extensive experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and delivering complex technical projects
• Proven ability to supervise and mentor engineers and technical specialists
• Strong background in producing, reviewing, and approving detailed engineering outputs
• Demonstrated expertise in applying procedures, codes, and standards to ensure compliance and integrity
• Track record of effective customer engagement, issue resolution, and technical support

Qualifications

• Engineering degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering discipline

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Standard (BPSS) security clearance for this role. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10‑days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading allows UK Cavendish employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This window opens February through to March annually
• Be Kind Day enables employees to take one working day’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing

Employment and Legal Statements

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header “Reasonable adjustments requirement”. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 19/06/2026