Be at the heart of actionFly remote-controlled drones into enemy territory to gather vital information.

Apply Now

M&E Lead Engineer

Manchester
3 weeks ago
Create job alert

M&E Lead Engineer

Our client are a design and build business, operating across water, energy and environment sectors throughout the UK. With an annual turnover surpassing £500 million, they have cemented their position as a leader within the industry. The sustained, robust business performance creates an ideal environment for career growth.

Engineering is at the very core of what we do. Be it civil, mechanical or electrical, our engineers are based on site and play a practical, hands-on role in the successful delivery of projects. In this role, you will have the unique opportunity to manage the M&E and Commissioning delivery strategically supporting the Operations Managers in our United Utilities framework.

We have been named a partner on a new AMP8 framework with United Utilities, which will extend our relationship for at least the next five years. The partnership is set to be responsible for over £3bn of major infrastructure in the North West of England. Investment includes upgrades to wastewater treatment works and reducing storm overflows through the delivery of the largest spill reduction programme in the UK, protecting more than 500km of rivers and bathing waters.

Overview

The M&E Lead Engineer will oversee the mechanical and electrical engineering aspects of wastewater treatment projects from design through commissioning. This role ensures that all M&E systems are delivered safely, efficiently, and in compliance with regulatory, technical, and contractual requirements. The ideal candidate has strong technical expertise in water/wastewater treatment processes and proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Technical Leadership

  • Lead the development, review, and approval of mechanical and electrical designs for wastewater treatment facilities, pumping stations, pipelines, and associated infrastructure.

  • Ensure engineering designs meet project specifications, industry standards, safety requirements, and client expectations.

  • Review and coordinate P&IDs, electrical schematics, control philosophies, equipment schedules, and technical submissions.

  • Provide technical guidance to design teams, subcontractors, and site personnel.

    Project Delivery & Coordination

  • Manage M&E engineering deliverables throughout the project lifecycle from concept and detailed design to installation, testing, and commissioning.

  • Oversee equipment selection, procurement, and supplier interface; ensure compatibility and integration with process requirements.

  • Coordinate closely with civil, process, and commissioning teams to ensure seamless integration of M&E systems.

  • Identify engineering risks and lead mitigation strategies.

    Installation, Testing & Commissioning

  • Supervise installation works to ensure quality, safety, and compliance with design and standards.

  • Develop and review method statements, risk assessments, testing procedures, FAT/SAT documentation, and commissioning plans.

  • Lead M&E commissioning activities, troubleshoot issues, and ensure systems achieve performance criteria.

    Safety, Quality & Compliance

  • Ensure all M&E activities comply with health and safety legislation, CDM (where applicable), and environmental requirements.

  • Maintain quality control and technical assurance processes across all engineering outputs.

  • Support the creation of O&M documentation and as-built records.

    Leadership & Stakeholder Management

  • Provide technical leadership to engineers, technicians, and subcontractors.

  • Act as the primary M&E contact for the client, regulatory bodies, and internal teams.

  • Support project planning, resourcing, and cost tracking for M&E scopes.

  • Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and innovation in wastewater treatment technologies.

    Qualifications & Experience

  • HNC / Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Process Engineering or equivalent work-based learning experience

  • Understanding of M&E and Commissioning engineering principles and practices within a Civil engineering environment

  • Excellent organisation and problem-solving skills

  • Ability to communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders

  • A valid driving licence and willingness to travel to sites across your operational region

    Skills & Competencies

  • Strong technical problem-solving and analytical skills.

  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.

  • Ability to lead and motivate teams in a fast-paced project environment.

  • Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

  • Proficiency in engineering software/tools (e.g., AutoCAD, EPLAN, BIM/Revit advantageous)

Related Jobs

View all jobs

M&E Lead Engineer

M&E Lead Engineer

Key Account Manager – Fire Water Pumps

Key Account Manager – Fire Water Pumps

Junior Service Technician

Subscribe to Future Tech Insights for the latest jobs & insights, direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Neurodiversity in UAV & Drone Careers: Turning Different Thinking into a Superpower

Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – drones – have moved from hobby gadgets to essential tools. They inspect wind turbines, support emergency services, survey construction sites, map farmland, film live events & deliver critical medical supplies. Behind every successful mission are people: pilots, observers, maintenance engineers, data analysts, software developers & operations managers. Many of them do not think in a “typical” way – & that’s exactly why they’re good at what they do. If you live with ADHD, autism or dyslexia, you might have heard that your brain is “too distracted”, “too literal” or “too disorganised” for aviation work. In reality, many traits that made school or traditional office jobs difficult are serious strengths in UAV & drone operations – from hyperfocus during flights to pattern-spotting in aerial data. This guide is for neurodivergent job seekers exploring UAV & drone careers in the UK. We’ll look at: What neurodiversity means in a UAV context How ADHD, autism & dyslexia strengths map to drone roles Practical workplace adjustments you can ask for under UK law How to talk about your neurodivergence in applications & interviews By the end, you’ll see how “different thinking” can be a genuine superpower in the drone industry – not a weakness.

UAV & Drone Hiring Trends 2026: What to Watch Out For (For Job Seekers & Recruiters)

As we move into 2026, the UK UAV (uncrewed aerial vehicle) and drone jobs market is maturing fast. The “shiny new toy” phase is over. Public expectations and regulation are tougher, budgets are more closely scrutinised, and clients want measurable outcomes – safer inspections, faster data, lower costs, better evidence – not just impressive footage. At the same time, demand for UAV services in infrastructure inspection, construction, energy, agriculture, emergency response, defence and media continues to grow. Long-term trends like asset digitisation, smart cities, and net-zero infrastructure all rely on high-quality aerial data and remote operations. The result: fewer opportunistic one-off drone gigs, and more emphasis on professional UAV operations, data workflows and compliant, scalable services. Whether you’re: A job seeker looking for “UAV jobs in the UK”, “drone pilot jobs UK”, or “remote UAS operator roles”, or A recruiter or hiring manager trying to understand “UAV hiring trends 2026” and “how to hire drone pilots and UAS engineers”, …this guide breaks down what’s changing – and what to do about it.

UAV (Drones) Recruitment Trends 2025 (UK): What Job Seekers Need To Know About Today’s Hiring Process

Summary: UK unmanned aviation (UAV/UAS/RPAS) hiring has shifted from aircraft‑type buzzwords to capability‑driven evaluation across flight ops, autonomy, data products, safety & regulatory compliance. Employers want proof you can plan, fly, analyse and scale UAV systems safely and economically—VLOS/A2 CofC, GVC, BVLOS & SORA ops, UTM integrations, command‑and‑control resilience, sense‑and‑avoid, payload pipelines, and fleet reliability. This guide explains what’s changed, what to expect in interviews & how to prepare—especially for UAV pilots/ops managers, flight test engineers, autonomy/perception, GNC/control, UTM/backend, safety & airworthiness, data processing/analysis, and field engineering roles. Who this is for: UAV pilots & flight ops, mission planners, flight test & safety engineers, autonomy/SLAM/perception, GNC/control engineers, embedded/avionics, communications & C2 links, UTM/airspace integrations, data processing (imagery/LiDAR/thermal), GIS/photogrammetry, maintenance & field techs, and programme/product managers in the UK.