Mechanical Engineering Lead
Location: Reading, UK
Salary Range: £103,300 - £139,900

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Mechanical Engineering Lead to join the Project Management Team supporting a major pre-FEED contractor office in Reading, UK. This role is responsible for providing technical leadership and engineering expertise on behalf of the JV, ensuring safe, operable, cost-effective, and technically robust mechanical engineering solutions across the project lifecycle.

The successful candidate will work closely with project management, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to optimise scope, manage technical risk, and support efficient project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide mechanical engineering leadership aligned with project objectives and delivery strategies
• Support the development of safe, reliable, and cost-effective engineering solutions during pre-FEED and FEED phases
• Drive value improvement and capital efficiency initiatives within the project design
• Review and assess proposed new technologies and equipment for suitability and compliance
• Maintain and develop mechanical engineering standards, specifications, philosophies, and procedures
• Ensure contractor deliverables meet project requirements, engineering standards, and quality expectations
• Provide technical oversight and expert input into FEED and EPC contractor activities
• Participate in technical evaluations, bid reviews, and contractor selection processes
• Support risk identification, mitigation, and decision-making throughout project execution
• Develop and implement engineering surveillance and assurance activities
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, procurement, and execution teams to ensure integrated project delivery
• Mentor and support engineering teams while promoting best practice and continuous improvement

Candidate Requirements

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Minimum 15 years of relevant engineering experience, including significant exposure to discipline technical leadership roles
• Strong technical expertise with hands-on knowledge of key mechanical engineering tools, standards, and practices
• Experience developing engineering standards, design basis documents, and technical specifications
• Proven ability to identify risk-based technical solutions and manage ambiguity effectively
• Experience working across owner/operator, contractor, and consultancy environments
• Strong understanding of refinery and/or chemical process facilities, preferably in one or more of the following areas:
  • Heavy oil upgrading
  • High-pressure hydroprocessing
  • Sour gas treatment
  • Saturated gas recovery
  • Ethylene cracking
  • Offsites and utilities
• Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, communication, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience supporting FEED/EPC project delivery and contractor management activities
• Familiarity with Middle East projects or experience working with Saudi Aramco or ExxonMobil standards would be advantageous

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