Associate Director – Mechanical Engineering

Overview

As Associate Director, you will lead and deliver mechanical building services in complex healthcare, education and defence projects within the South West MEP team. You will own project finances, guide a small engineering team, and coordinate with interdisciplinary design partners to ensure practical, compliant solutions. You’ll prepare fee estimates and programmes, oversee quality checks, and manage resources to meet deadlines and budgets. This role offers impact across vital public-sector facilities and sustainable, safer environments.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid work options
• well-being programs
• career development opportunities
• global exposure to large projects
• industry-leading technology and thinking
• diverse and inclusive culture

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of medium to large healthcare, education and defence projects
• Own project finances and support commercial performance of the team
• Manage a small team of engineers and mentor junior staff
• Coordinate interdisciplinary reviews with architects, structural/civil teams and clinical planners
• Prepare fee estimates and design programmes; define project deliverables
• Oversee quality checks on mechanical design calculations, drawings and models
• Write technical specifications for mechanical systems aligned with BS EN, HTM/HBN and standards
• Develop engineering budgets and schedules to meet operational and commissioning dates
• Utilise mechanical building services software for design (heating, cooling, ventilation, domestic services)
• Manage project resources to meet time and budget targets

Key requirements

• Proven experience in mechanical building services design, including healthcare/education/defence projects
• Passion for delivering high-quality, safe environments in complex buildings
• Experience as Associate, Principal Engineer or similar senior role
• Strong written and verbal communication with clients and stakeholders
• Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIBSE)
• Proficiency with software for MBS design and BIM
• Experience delivering projects using BIM software
• Knowledge of low carbon and energy-efficient systems; understanding impact on carbon in target sectors
• Ability to interpret outputs from IES or other building performance tools
• Experience in healthcare facility design with familiarity with HTM/HBN guidance

• leadership
• stakeholder communication
• team mentoring
• mechanical building services design
• BIM software
• IES or building performance tools

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