Technical Lead Engineer - Mechanical

Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Technical Lead Engineer – Mechanical to contribute to a major, complex construction programme within a highly regulated environment. This role is focused on ensuring technical excellence across a broad range of engineering challenges, supporting the successful delivery of critical infrastructure. The role will be based in Taunton on a hybrid basis - 3 days per week will be needed on site.

The successful candidate will act as a key member of a multidisciplinary Joint Design Office (JDO), resolving complex, cross-discipline design issues and supporting engineering delivery throughout construction, installation, and commissioning phases. You will provide technical leadership across a wide spectrum of engineering topics, ensuring alignment with safety requirements and overall design intent, while proactively mitigating project risks and enhancing delivery resilience.

Due to the security and regulatory requirements of this role, candidates must be eligible to obtain the necessary security clearance.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a key member of the Joint Design Office (JDO), resolving cross-discipline technical issues and supporting engineering delivery during construction, installation, and commissioning.
  
  
• Provide technical leadership across complex engineering topics, ensuring all changes align with safety requirements and overarching design intent.
  
  
• Build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with Responsible Designer teams, technical authorities, subject matter experts (SMEs), and construction stakeholders.
  
  
• Engage collaboratively with project management, commercial teams, and contractors to drive safe, compliant, and efficient technical outcomes.
  
  
• Support design change management, configuration control, and the effective resolution of site queries.
  
  
• Strengthen the resilience and performance of the JDO through proactive risk mitigation and issue resolution.
  
  
• Prepare and author technical documentation, including design reviews, justification papers, and formal engineering decisions.
  
  
• Ensure the integrity of safety cases for all changes impacting safety-critical systems.
  
  
• Oversee and provide assurance on design changes carried out by engineering and design teams.
  
  
• Make informed engineering decisions, assessing risks and understanding wider project impacts.
  
  
• Apply relevant UK regulatory and construction standards in all activities.
  
  
• Promote and implement the ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) principle in engineering decisions.
  
  
• Identify and champion technical innovation and continuous improvement opportunities.
  
  
• Engage constructively with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance and provide technical assurance.
  
  
• Leverage specialist engineering expertise to support robust and high-quality delivery.
  
  
• Maintain oversight of engineering baselines, ensuring competence and compliance with required standards.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in an Engineering discipline.
  
  
• Proven experience in problem-solving and stakeholder management within complex projects.
  
  
• Strong understanding of civil and mechanical engineering interfaces.
  
  
• Experience working in on-site engineering or construction environments.
  
  
• Knowledge of fabrication and welding practices.
  
  
• Chartered Engineer status (or working towards equivalent).
  
  
• Experience within a highly regulated industry (e.g. nuclear, defence, or similar).
  
  
• Background in engineering design and delivery.
  
  
• Familiarity with large-scale infrastructure projects and associated systems.
  
  
• Understanding of safety case development and safety classification processes.
  
  

Key Attributes

• Strong analytical and decision-making capability.
  
  
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
  
  
• Proactive approach to risk management and technical issue resolution.
  
  
• High level of accountability and attention to detail.
  
  
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
  
  

The NRL Group connect global companies with the right people to bring engineering projects to life. Supporting contracting companies with energy transition plans and working with our clients to create a cleaner, greener future.
 
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