At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead MEP design for prison projects, ensuring compliance and quality.
- Company: Join AECOM, a leader in innovative engineering solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on impactful projects with excellent growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a difference in secure facilities while advancing your engineering career.
- Qualifications: Chartered Engineer with experience in MEP project delivery and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
AECOM is seeking a Director-level Chartered Mechanical or Electrical Building Services Engineer to lead MEP design delivery for a growing portfolio of Prison and Secure Estate projects across the UK.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the MEP design strategy for prison and secure facilities projects, from feasibility through to detailed design and construction support.
- Act as MEP Discipline Lead, ensuring coordinated Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health design outputs.
- Provide technical authority and assurance on designs produced by internal teams and supply chain partners.
- Ensure compliance with UK Building Regulations, HTMs, BS standards, CIBSE guidance, MoJ / HMPPS technical standards and employer’s requirements.
- Manage and mitigate technical risk in complex, safety-critical environments.
Project Delivery
- Lead MEP input on multi-disciplinary design teams, ensuring programmes, budgets and quality objectives are met.
- Review contractor proposals, technical submissions, value engineering initiatives and design changes.
- Support construction-phase activities including RFIs, site inspections, commissioning strategy and handover.
- Contribute to BIM Level 2 delivery, design reviews and clash resolution.
Client & Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as a key client-facing technical representative for AECOM on Prison Services projects.
- Build strong relationships with MoJ / HMPPS stakeholders, delivery partners and framework teams.
- Support bids, framework delivery plans and fee proposals with MEP technical input.
- Present technical solutions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Team & People
- Line management and mentoring of engineers and technicians within the Building Services team.
- Support technical development, quality reviews and performance management.
- Promote best practice in design quality, safety, sustainability and digital delivery.
- Contribute to AECOM’s technical excellence culture and knowledge sharing.
Skills & Experience
- Proven experience in delivering MEP projects for the MoJ, including Fire Safety Improvements.
- Strong understanding of MoJ structure and standards, secure environment constraints, multi-disciplinary coordination, 3D design and delivery to MoJ BIM protocol, contractor interfaces and technical approvals on MoJ sites.
- Experience acting as MEP Lead or Technical Authority.
- Ability to lead a team and act as MEP lead for contractor works representing both disciplines.
- Proven ability of delivering multi-million pound schemes.
- Commercial and programme awareness within a consultancy environment.
- Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or related discipline.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) with CIBSE, IMechE or IET.
- Hold UK security clearance (e.g. BPSS, SC, or enhanced vetting relevant to prison projects) - Must have, or be able to obtain.
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Director, Justice – (MEP Building Services)
✨Networking in the Right Circles
Dive into communities focused on building systems and supply engineering. Join LinkedIn groups, attend industry-specific trade shows, and don’t shy away from local meetups. These are golden opportunities to connect with industry professionals who could help you land that full-time role at places like AECO.
✨Showcase Your Projects
If you've worked on any projects—big or small—related to building systems, make sure to showcase them! Creating a portfolio or a detailed case study on your approach can do wonders. It’s all about showing prospective employers, like AECO, that you’ve got hands-on experience and a solid understanding of the field.
✨Leverage University Resources
Are you still connected with your university? Tap into their career services! Many universities have relationships with firms in the building systems sector and can provide leads on exclusive job openings. This could be your ticket to landing the full-time job you want.
✨Get Involved in Professional Bodies
Consider joining professional organisations related to building systems and supply engineering. These often have job boards, career development events, and networking opportunities. Engaging with these can significantly increase your visibility to firms like AECO and may help you secure that full-time position sooner!
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Director, Justice – (MEP Building Services)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Engineering Skills:In the building systems supply engineering field, make sure to highlight your technical skills in your CV. Include any relevant software certifications or engineering tools you’re proficient with. Demonstrating your ability to use industry-specific technologies can really set you apart!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love to see how you've made an impact in your previous roles. When detailing your work experience, try to include quantifiable achievements—like how you improved a system’s efficiency by a percentage or managed a project that saved your last company X amount. This shows you're results-driven and could help us at AECO.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just reuse the same old cover letter! Personalise it for the Technical Director, Justice – (MEP Building Services) role at AECO. Talk about your passion for building systems and why this position excites you. We want to see your personality shine through and how you envision contributing to our team.
Include Relevant Projects:If you’ve worked on specific projects related to building systems supply engineering, don’t forget to mention them! Include any reports or case studies that showcase your problem-solving abilities and project management skills. This portfolio of work can really illustrate your expertise to us.
How to prepare for a job interview at AECO
✨Know Your Technical Stuff
For a role in building systems supply engineering, make sure you're clued up about the latest technologies and tools in the field. Brush up on your knowledge of HVAC systems, plumbing, electrical layouts, and any relevant software used in modelling or design.
✨Showcase Real Projects
Since this is a full-time position, the interviewers will be keen to see your relevant experience. Bring along a portfolio that highlights the projects you've worked on, focusing on your role and the impact you had. Be ready to discuss the challenges faced and how you overcame them.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions during your interview. They may ask how you would approach a specific design challenge or troubleshoot an existing system. Think about examples from your past work where you successfully tackled problems, and be ready to articulate your thought process.
✨Understand the Industry Landscape
It's crucial to have a good grasp of the current trends affecting building systems, like sustainable engineering practices or smart technology integration. Familiarise yourself with recent advancements and be prepared to discuss how they might influence your work at AECO.
