Senior Mechanical Design Engineer
Role Overview
As a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer, you will be responsible for the full mechanical building services design lifecycle across commercial, residential, healthcare, education, industrial, and critical systems projects. This role involves leading projects from concept through detailed design, producing technical calculations, managing junior engineers, and ensuring compliance with UK building regulations, sustainability standards, and client requirements.
You will act as project lead for mechanical disciplines, coordinating closely with multidisciplinary teams, attending client meetings, and contributing to strategic design direction and innovation.
Key Responsibilities
Design & Technical Delivery
* Lead the mechanical design process across RIBA stages 1–5 (concept to construction).
* Produce detailed calculations for HVAC, heating, cooling, ventilation, LTHW/CHW systems, domestic water, and compressed air systems.
* Develop models and drawings using Revit MEP, AutoCAD, IES, and Hevacomp.
* Produce technical schedules, specifications, and performance reports.
* Ensure mechanical solutions are energy-efficient, cost-effective, and meet sustainability goals (Part L, BREEAM, Net Zero).
Project Management
Act as the discipline lead on multiple concurrent projects. Manage workload allocation, deliverables, and deadlines across the mechanical team. Attend design team meetings, progress reviews, and client presentations. Ensure projects are delivered on time, to specification, and within budget.
Coordination & Collaboration
* Coordinate designs with electrical, public health, structural and architectural teams using BIM processes.
* Work with contractors during design & build phases and support value engineering exercises.
* Attend site visits to review installation quality and resolve technical issues.
Leadership & Development
Mentor and guide graduate and intermediate engineers. Review engineering outputs, calculations and drawings produced by junior staff. Support recruitment, training, and development of the mechanical team.
Required Experience
* Minimum 5–8 years’ experience in a mechanical building services design role.
* Proven track record delivering mechanical designs across medium to large-scale projects (£5m–£100m+ MEP value).
* Experience in sectors such as commercial office buildings, residential developments, hospital & healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, data centres, or education.
* Strong understanding of CIBSE guidelines, BSRIA standards, UK Building Regulations, Part L, TM52/TM54, and heat networks.
Qualifications & Professional Status
Essential
* Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.
* Chartered (CEng) or actively working toward chartership (CIBSE or IMechE).
* Proficiency in design software: Revit MEP, AutoCAD, IES VE, Hevacomp, Cymap.
Desirable
* Member of CIBSE or IMechE.
* Knowledge of Passivhaus, Net Zero Carbon design, renewable technologies (ASHPs, CHP, GSHPs).
Personal Attributes
Leadership mindset with a collaborative approach. Attention to technical detail and accuracy. Motivated to drive best practice and continuous improvement. Passion for mentoring junior engineers and contributing to a strong team culture