LAPORTE Cambridge, England, United Kingdom

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Join us in building LAPORTE’s UK operations! We’re looking for experienced mechanical engineers to lead cutting‑edge projects in pharma, biotech, and food manufacturing with a clear path to partnership.

LAPORTE is an international engineering group specialising in the design of Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Agri‑industrial and Food & Beverage manufacturing facilities. With over 480 employees across Canada, USA, France, Belgium and Switzerland, we are now expanding into the United Kingdom.

We are seeking to establish our UK operations by recruiting three key professionals: one mechanical engineer, one electrical/instrumentation/control engineer and one process engineer to support our international clients with operations in the UK.

We offer competitive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience and technical proficiency. There is also a potential pathway to partnership for candidates who achieve business development objectives. This role is home‑based (remote) with up to 50% travel to client sites. Our first UK office will be established in Kent and/or Cambridgeshire; other locations may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead proposal development, contract management, and client relationship management.
• Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed designs, drawings, and specifications for both building and process utilities.
• Design building utilities such as HVAC, dust collection, chilled water, steam, heating water, and plumbing systems.
• Support the development, recruitment, and training of a UK‑based mechanical design team.

Qualifications

• Strong entrepreneurial spirit.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) – Preferred; candidates working toward CEng will also be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering.
• Proven leadership, communication, organisational, and project‑management skills, alongside solid technical expertise.
• 8+ years’ experience in engineering consultancy within the UK, ideally in food & beverage or pharmaceutical manufacturing industries.
• Sound knowledge of UK and international mechanical design standards (CIBSE, BS EN, ISO), with familiarity with ASHRAE and NFPA considered an asset.
• Familiarity with ISPE and HACCP requirements.
• Understanding of GMP and MHRA compliance requirements for pharmaceutical facility design and commissioning.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD, and working knowledge of Revit and Navisworks.

Ready to shape the future of LAPORTE in the UK? Apply now or contact us for a confidential discussion.

Send us your application today. We look forward to meeting you!

The LAPORTE team