Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

The Opportunity

We have partnered with a Tier 1 contractor and leading national infrastructure business to help grow the building services design team within their in-house design consultancy. This is a senior, team-leading appointment: you would lead the mechanical building services design team on major, complex construction projects, combining hands-on technical leadership with responsibility for the development, quality and output of the engineers around you.

The role is available in Manchester, Liverpool or Leeds.

You would take full responsibility for mechanical design delivery on large-scale schemes, from concept through to construction, while managing team utilisation, quality standards and the professional growth of the mechanical design team. It suits a chartered engineer ready to combine technical authority with genuine leadership.

Salary is £70,000 to £80,000 depending on experience, plus a full benefits package.

About the Business

Our client is one of the UK’s largest and best-known construction, infrastructure and property groups, with an in-house design consultancy that delivers multi-disciplinary building services engineering on some of the most significant projects in the country. Working within their design function means access to major, complex schemes and the technical resource of a genuine Tier 1 business, while operating within a focused, collaborative design team.

Their major projects work spans sectors including health, justice, defence, education, custodial and government, frequently on high-value, high-profile schemes. The design consultancy is central to how the wider business wins and delivers work, and it invests seriously in the development, chartership and wellbeing of its engineers.

This is a stable, well-resourced environment with a clear commitment to professional development, sustainable design and the long-term progression of its people, backed by the scale and security of a major national group.

What You'll Be Doing

• Leading the mechanical building services design team on major, complex construction projects

• Taking full responsibility for mechanical design delivery from concept through to construction

• Managing team utilisation, capability and resource levels against workload

• Setting, monitoring and maintaining quality standards across all mechanical design output

• Providing high-level technical advice and mentoring across the mechanical team

• Representing mechanical engineering in design coordination and client meetings

• Contributing to business development, bid submissions and winning new work

• Maintaining a programme of CPD to keep the team’s capability current

• Driving innovation, sustainable design and BIM implementation across projects

What We're Looking For

• Chartered Engineer and member of CIBSE or IET, with a degree in Mechanical Building Services or Mechanical Engineering

• Significant mechanical building services design experience on large, complex projects

• A proven track record of leading and developing a multi-disciplinary design team

• Strong technical authority across mechanical building services systems

• Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical concepts for wider audiences

• Experience with quality procedures and document control in engineering design

• Able to meet BPSS security clearance requirements

What's on Offer

• £70,000 - £80,000 depending on experience

• Full company benefits package

• A senior leadership role within the design function of a major Tier 1 business

• Access to major, high-profile projects and the resource of a national group

• Genuine investment in chartership, CPD and long-term career progression