Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer – Shape the Future of Scientific Discovery 

Waters Wilmslow is looking for a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to become a key technical leader within our Mechanical Engineering team, the group behind the mechanical innovation powering our global Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer product range. 

This is a role for someone who wants to own architecture‑level decisions, guide engineering direction, and influence the next generation of world‑leading analytical instruments. You’ll work at the intersection of precision engineering, scientific discovery, and advanced manufacturing, helping to define platforms that will be used by researchers and scientists across the world. 

If you’re motivated by solving complex mechanical challenges, mentoring talented engineers, and shaping technology strategy at scale, this is a rare opportunity to make a lasting impact. 

What You’ll Lead & Influence 

Technical Authority & Architecture 

• Act as the go‑to technical authority for mechanical design across the Quan Portfolio and own key mechanical architectures and drive critical design decisions. 

• Lead the development of high‑precision mechanical systems, including electro‑mechanical assemblies and vacuum technologies. 

• Apply Design for Excellence (DfX) to optimise performance, manufacturability, cost, and risk. 

Project Leadership Across the Full Lifecycle 

• Guide mechanical design from concept through new product introduction, release, and continuous improvement. 

• Translate cross‑functional requirements into robust, high‑quality product solutions. 

• Contribute to long‑term platform strategy, technology roadmaps, and engineering capability development. 

Team Development & Engineering Excellence 

• Mentor and develop engineers, strengthening technical judgement and professional growth. 

• Set and uphold engineering standards, best practices, and quality expectations. 

• Peer review drawings, documentation, and change requests to ensure technical consistency and excellence. 

Cross‑Functional Collaboration & Supplier Engagement 

• Work closely with electronics, development scientists, production, product assurance, and supply chain teams to deliver integrated solutions. 
• Partner with suppliers to develop cost‑effective manufacturing approaches and explore emerging techniques. 

Continuous Improvement & Compliance 

• Diagnose and resolve complex mechanical issues across the Quan Portfolio. 

• Produce high‑quality technical documentation aligned with Waters Quality Standards. 

• Stay current with advances in mechanical engineering and scientific instrumentation — and bring that innovation into our products. 

• Represent Waters at exhibitions, seminars, and training events when required. 

What You Bring 

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related discipline) or equivalent industry experience. 

• Extensive experience designing precision mechanical systems using 3D CAD (SolidWorks or Siemens NX). 

• Strong capability in 2D drawings and GD&T. 

• Proven experience with complex electro‑mechanical assemblies, vacuum systems, and thermally sensitive designs. 

• A track record of leading mechanical design through the full product lifecycle. 

• Demonstrated technical leadership and ownership of major design decisions. 

• Experience working within a recognised quality management system. 

Why Join Waters? 

At Waters, you’ll work in an environment where technical excellence, collaboration, and innovation are genuinely valued. You’ll help shape world‑leading analytical instruments while continuing to grow your own technical and leadership capabilities at a senior level. 

You’ll also receive: 

• Competitive salary and benefits 

• Above‑average holiday allowance 

• Strong pension contributions 

• Career development within a global life science leader 

We’re committed to building diverse, inclusive teams where everyone can contribute their best work. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and can make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process. 

Waters Corporation (NYSE:WAT) is a global leader in life sciences and diagnostics, dedicated to accelerating the benefits of pioneering science through analytical technologies, informatics, and service. With a focus on regulated, high-volume testing environments, our innovative portfolio harnesses deep scientific expertise across chemistry, physics, and biology. We collaborate with customers around the world to advance the release of effective, high-quality medicines, ensure the safety of food and water, and drive better patient outcomes by detecting diseases earlier, managing routine infections, and combating antibiotic resistance. Through a shared culture of relentless innovation, our passionate team of ~16,000 colleagues turn scientific challenges into breakthroughs that improve lives worldwide. 

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core values at Waters Corporation. It benefits our employees, our products, our customers and our community. Waters complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to sex, race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, marital status (including civil unions), military service, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions), genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, legally recognized disability, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Waters is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. All hiring decisions are based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.