At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical design for impactful healthcare, education, and defence projects.
- Company: Join AECOM, a leader in creating sustainable environments.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and professional growth opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on career development.
- Why this job: Make a difference in communities while working on innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience in building services design.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
At AECOM, we are delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are looking for an Associate Director to join our busy South West MEP team; the role can be based in Cardiff or Bristol.
Job Responsibilities
- Reporting to the Regional Director and helping to manage and deliver medium to large healthcare, education and defence projects.
- Taking ownership of project finances and supporting the commercial performance of the team.
- Managing a small team of engineers, providing specialist mechanical design input and supporting the development of junior and graduate engineers.
- Working closely with architects, structural, civil and (where relevant) clinical planning and end‑user teams in interdisciplinary design reviews to coordinate practical solutions for healthcare, education and defence projects.
- Preparing fee estimates and design programmes, and working with clients, users and stakeholders to agree clear project deliverables across healthcare, education and defence portfolios.
- Carrying out and overseeing quality checks on mechanical design calculations, drawings and models.
- Writing technical specifications for commercial, education, defence and healthcare mechanical systems in line with relevant standards, including BS EN, HTM/HBN and others.
- Supporting the development of engineering budgets and schedules so that project requirements, operational dates and clinical commissioning dates are met.
- Using and understanding software tools for mechanical building services design (e.g. heating, cooling, ventilation, domestic services), particularly for social infrastructure buildings such as hospitals, schools and defence facilities.
- Managing project resources so that agreed deliverables are achieved on time and within budget.
- Proven experience in mechanical building services design, ideally including healthcare, education and defence projects.
- A motivated individual with a passion for delivering high‑quality, safe and resilient environments in complex, operationally critical buildings.
- Experience working as an Associate, Principal Engineer or in a similar senior role.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with confidence in dealing with clients and stakeholders across healthcare, education and defence sectors.
- Membership of a relevant professional body, such as CIBSE.
- Good working knowledge of software used to design mechanical building services systems.
- Experience of delivering projects using BIM software.
- Experience in low carbon and energy‑efficient systems design, and an understanding of how design decisions influence carbon emissions in healthcare, education and defence buildings.
- Ability to analyse and interpret outputs from IES or other building performance / calculation tools.
- Experience in the design and delivery of healthcare facilities, with familiarity with HTM and HBN guidance (e.g. ventilation, hot and cold water, critical systems); experience in education and defence standards/frameworks would be an advantage.
Qualifications
- Degree in Building Services or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent).
- Chartered, or actively working towards chartership, with a relevant professional body such as CIBSE.
- Extensive post‑graduate experience in mechanical building services design, with significant exposure to healthcare, education and/or defence projects.
We are a Disability Confident Employer and will offer an interview to applicants who have a disability or long‑term condition, who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role.
Associate Director, Mechanical Building Services employer: AECO
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of Cardiff. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our support for professional development and mentorship, particularly for junior and graduate engineers. With a focus on delivering impactful projects in healthcare, education, and defence, we provide a meaningful opportunity to contribute to a better world while enjoying the benefits of a hybrid work model and a supportive team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Mechanical Building Services
✨Get Your Hands Dirty at Engineering Events
Join local engineering meetups or industry conferences related to mechanical engineering. Whether it's a workshop or a career fair, these events are goldmines for networking and getting a foot in the door. Plus, you can showcase your passion and enthusiasm directly to potential employers like AECO.
✨Connect with Professors & Peers
Tap into your university’s resources—professors often have connections in the industry. Don’t be shy to ask about potential openings or recommendations. Your classmates might also know of companies hiring. Often, it’s who you know that gets you in front of the right people!
✨Highlight Your Projects and Practical Experience
When you land those interviews, make sure to talk about your hands-on projects or internships. Whether it's a design project or hands-on experience with CAD software, specific examples will make you stand out. Companies like AECO love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of AECO and apply directly through there. It shows initiative and interest in their specific values. Plus, you'll often find openings that aren't advertised on job boards, giving you a better chance to land that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Mechanical Building Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Expertise:In mechanical engineering, it’s vital to highlight your technical skills and projects. Make sure to include relevant software proficiency (like CAD tools) in your CV. If you've worked on specific engineering projects, detail your key contributions — we want to see how you’ve applied your skills in a practical setting!
Focus on Problem-Solving Examples:Employers in mechanical engineering love to see how you handle challenges. Use your cover letter to share specific instances where you’ve solved a complex problem or improved a design. This will show us you're not just knowledgeable but also capable of applying that knowledge effectively.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Include any relevant certifications or training that can set you apart from the competition. Whether it's coursework from your degree, a recognised certification, or extra training in new technologies, we love to see candidates who continuously improve their skill set. This tells us you're serious about your career in engineering!
Tailor Your CV for the Role:Don’t forget to customise your CV for AECO and the Associate Director, Mechanical Building Services role specifically. Pull examples from your experience that align with the job description — it shows us you've done your research and are genuinely interested in becoming part of the team. We recommend applying through our website to ensure your application gets to the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at AECO
✨Brush Up on Your CAD Skills
Since mechanical engineering often involves design processes, be ready to showcase your proficiency in CAD software like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. Bring along a digital portfolio or even some sketches that demonstrate your design capabilities — it’s a great way to show what you can bring to the table at AECO.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions that test your understanding of engineering principles and problem-solving skills. You might get hypothetical scenarios where you need to design a component or troubleshoot a mechanical system. Practising these types of questions will give you the confidence to tackle whatever comes your way!
✨Show Your Team Spirit
As a full-time mechanical engineer, collaboration is key! Be ready to share examples of past team projects or any experiences where you contributed to solving a complex problem with others. Demonstrating your ability to work in a team will resonate well with the interviewers at AECO.
✨Discuss Your Future Goals
Since this is a full-time position, your long-term vision is important. Be open about your career aspirations, whether it’s mastering a specific tool or leading projects. This shows that you're committed not just to learning but also to growing with AECO, making you a more appealing candidate.
