Project Engineer

Project Engineer (Mechanical Bias)
Location: Maidstone Office with travel across Kent, Sussex & Surrey
Sector: Commercial Building Services – Education, Healthcare & Government Facilities
Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 DOE
Reports To: Projects Manager / Operations Manager

Company Overview
A specialist building services contractor delivering mechanical and electrical solutions across commercial environments, including education facilities, healthcare sites, and government buildings. The business delivers a range of installation, maintenance, and small works projects, supporting clients with reliable and compliant engineering solutions.

We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer (Mechanical Bias) to join the commercial projects team. This role will support the delivery of mechanical installation projects, with a particular focus on commercial LTHW heating systems, gas installations, and plumbing works, while also contributing to estimating, mechanical design, and pre-construction activities.

Role Purpose
The Project Engineer will be responsible for supporting the successful delivery of mechanical projects from initial enquiry through to completion. The role will combine technical engineering knowledge, mechanical design, project coordination, client management, contractor supervision, and estimating responsibilities.

The successful candidate will have a strong mechanical services background, with experience in commercial building services environments and the ability to interpret designs, produce mechanical schematics, support project delivery, and identify opportunities for efficient and compliant solutions.

Key Responsibilities
Project Delivery & Engineering Support
Assist in the delivery of mechanical installation projects across commercial sites, including:
Commercial LTHW heating systems
Gas installations
Domestic and commercial plumbing systems
Associated mechanical services works
Support Project Engineers and Project Managers with day-to-day project delivery.
Coordinate and oversee subcontractors, engineers, and site teams.
Monitor progress against project programmes and report any risks, delays, or issues.
Ensure works are completed safely, within specification, programme, and budget.
Review technical drawings, specifications, and installation requirements.
Produce and amend mechanical drawings, schematics, and installation details for site teams to work from.
Support the development of practical engineering solutions during project delivery.
Assist with resolving technical queries and providing engineering solutions.
Attend site meetings and coordinate with clients, consultants, and contractors.
Mechanical Design & Technical Support
Produce mechanical design information including:
System schematics
Flow diagrams
Installation drawings
Pipework layouts and coordination details
Review design specifications and ensure proposed solutions are practical and commercially viable.
Liaise with engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and clients to ensure designs align with installation requirements.
Support the installation team with technical guidance and design clarification.
Identify design improvements, efficiencies, and potential risks before and during installation.
 

Estimation & Pre-Construction
Prepare estimates and quotations for small works projects up to approximately £500k.
Review client enquiries, drawings, specifications, and scopes of work.
Produce accurate material, labour, and subcontractor cost estimates.
Identify project risks, exclusions, assumptions, and opportunities.
Liaise with suppliers and subcontractors to obtain competitive pricing.
Support the handover of successful tenders into delivery.
Review design requirements to ensure estimates accurately reflect installation requirements.
 

Essential Experience
Previous experience working within commercial mechanical building services.
Mechanical engineering background with a practical understanding of installations.
Experience supporting or managing mechanical projects.
 

Experience with:
Commercial heating systems (LTHW preferred)
Gas systems
Plumbing installations
Experience supervising subcontractors and site teams.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings and specifications.
Experience producing mechanical design information, schematics, and installation drawings.
Previous experience producing estimates or quotations for mechanical works.
Good understanding of project costs, materials, and installation methods.
 

Desirable Experience
Experience working within:
Education environments
Healthcare facilities
Public sector / government buildings
Experience delivering small works projects up to £500k.
Experience working for a mechanical contractor or building services company.
Knowledge of planned works, reactive works, and refurbishment projects.
 

Qualifications
Preferred:

NVQ / HNC / HND in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or similar.
Relevant mechanical trade background (advantageous).
Gas qualifications (advantageous).
CSCS / SMSTS / SSSTS (desirable).