Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer – Nuclear Decommissioning Projects (General Overview) Role Summary: The Senior Mechanical Engineer provides technical leadership and design expertise across nuclear decommissioning, waste retrieval, legacy plant modification, and hazard-reduction projects. The role involves producing and reviewing high-quality mechanical design deliverables, ensuring compliance with nuclear standards, and supporting multi-disciplinary teams through all engineering stages. Key Responsibilities * Lead the development of mechanical designs from concept through detailed design. * Produce, review, and approve mechanical drawings, calculations, specifications, and design reports. * Develop solutions for mechanical handling, remote operations, lifting equipment, containment systems, and waste processing equipment. * Ensure mechanical designs comply with nuclear site processes, UK regulations, and relevant industry standards (BS, EN, ISO). * Undertake engineering calculations to justify structural integrity, lifting capacity, pressure boundaries, and mechanical performance. * Provide technical leadership to designers, graduates, and junior engineers. * Work closely with CE&I, process, civil, and safety teams to produce integrated, safe design packages. * Support hazard studies including HAZOPs, risk assessments, and ALARP evaluations. * Participate in and lead design reviews, technical workshops, and stakeholder meetings. * Produce mechanical equipment specifications, data sheets, and technical procurement documents. * Review vendor drawings, calculations, and compliance statements. * Conduct site surveys and walkdowns to verify existing plant conditions and support design development. * Provide engineering support during installation, testing, and commissioning activities. * Ensure all work follows strict configuration control and quality assurance processes. * Contribute to safety case information where mechanical engineering input is required. * Ensure designs consider operability, maintainability, reliability, and lifecycle requirements. * Manage and resolve technical queries from the supply chain, fabricators, and site teams. * Support project planning, estimates, and engineering work-scope development. * Identify design risks and drive safe, compliant engineering solutions. * Promote strong nuclear safety culture and adherence to engineering best practice. Essential Skills & Experience * Proven experience as a mechanical engineer in nuclear or other highly regulated industries. * Strong capability in mechanical design, engineering substantiation, and technical leadership. * Competence with relevant design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Inventor, SolidWorks). * Strong understanding of lifting operations, mechanical handling, remote tooling, and engineered safety systems. * Ability to review and approve mechanical deliverables to a high standard. * Effective communicator able to work collaboratively in multi-discipline teams. Desirable Experience * Experience on decommissioning, waste retrieval, or legacy facility remediation projects. * Familiarity with Sellafield or Magnox engineering processes and drawing standards. * Understanding of design for manufacture, fabrication methods, and CE marking