Mechanical Design Engineer - Plant Equipment

ALTEN is a global engineering and technology consultancy operating across over 35 countries worldwide. We partner with industry leaders across sectors including Aeronautics, Aerospace, Defence, Naval, Automotive, Energy, Rail, IT and many more to deliver innovative engineering solutions that drive technological advancement & support sustainable transformation.

Our teams of passionate and agile engineers work on cutting-edge projects that shape the future of technology and sustainability. At ALTEN, we empower talented engineers to innovate, solve complex challenges, and deliver impactful solutions that build tomorrow’s world—today.

Join us and start building tomorrow’s world today!

As a Mechanical Design Engineer - Plant Equipment  you will join Derby/ Warrington/ Manchester  team to support our activities within the Nuclear Sector sector. 

You will support the technical delivery of HVAC system design solutions that provide tempered and conditioned air to Reactor Island facilities, alongside systems that safely extract and treat contaminated air prior to atmospheric discharge. You will contribute across concept and detailed design phases, ensuring that ventilation and cooling solutions meet nuclear safety, performance, and legislative requirements.

You will work closely with system leads and multi-disciplinary engineering teams to deliver integrated HVAC and chilled water solutions for safety-critical nuclear environments.

• Location: Derby/ Warrington/ Manchester  
• On Site:  2 days in one of the sites 
• Clearance: BPSS 
• Experience Level: 3- 10 YOE 

Key Responsibilities:

• Support delivery of mechanical and plant equipment design solutions for SMR applications
• Develop and manage technical requirements for plant equipment packages
• Produce and review technical deliverables including specifications, calculations and design documentation
• Support concept and detailed design activities for miscellaneous plant equipment systems
• Apply modularisation and standardisation principles to equipment design solutions
• Collaborate with suppliers and external partners during equipment development activities
• Coordinate with multi-disciplinary engineering teams to ensure technical integration and compliance
• Support engineering governance, quality assurance and design review activities
• Present technical solutions and design maturity at stakeholder and programme reviews
• Assist with supplier management and technical oversight activities
• Support delivery of programme milestones, cost and schedule objectives

Required Skills:

• Knowledge of mechanical or plant equipment engineering principles
• Experience developing equipment designs from concept through detailed definition
• Ability to manage technical scope and support equipment delivery activities
• Experience producing and reviewing technical engineering documentation
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder coordination skills
• Understanding of engineering governance and quality assurance processes
• Ability to balance technical, cost and programme considerations
• Ability to plan work, manage priorities and escalate technical risks appropriately

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, or equivalent military experience.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in nuclear or other safety-critical industries
• Familiarity with verification and validation techniques
• Experience working within regulated engineering environments

Why join us? 

We bring together entrepreneurial, tech-driven people to deliver innovative solutions for leading companies.

At ALTEN, you’ll work on exciting projects, supported by ongoing learning, mentoring, and clear career development tailored to your goals.

Join a passionate team and help build tomorrow, today.

In short you get: 

• A personalised career path and a rewarding management style 
• A huge diversity of engineering projects and industries
• Private Medical Insurance
• Cycle & Tech Scheme 
• Employee assistance programme
• Life insurance & Pension Scheme
• Social atmosphere, regular gatherings & team buildings
• Flexible way of working (role dependent)

We are proud to support the Armed Forces Covenant & actively encourage applications from members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans, reservists, service leavers, and military spouses/partners. We recognise the value of military skills and experience and are committed to ensuring that no applicant is unfairly disadvantaged during our recruitment and selection processes. 

ALTEN is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and values the strength that comes from a global mix of backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates, regardless of background or protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 

This role may require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected . Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.