At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead mechanical teams on impactful healthcare and education projects across the UK.
- Company: Join AECOM, a global leader in infrastructure consulting, dedicated to delivering a better world.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hybrid working, career development opportunities, and personalised benefits tailored to your lifestyle.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values innovation and offers excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by contributing to net zero initiatives and modernising essential facilities.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical building services design, particularly in healthcare or education, is essential.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
At AECOM, we're 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 the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.
AECOM is a leading multidisciplinary consultancy seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to join our busy South West MEP team, the role can be based in Cardiff or Bristol. You'll bring proven mechanical building services design experience across Healthcare and Education projects, hold a degree in Mechanical Engineering/Building Services, and be working toward Chartered status. We're looking for someone ambitious, self‑motivated, and ready to take the next step in their career.
We're at the forefront of the net zero agenda—helping NHS Wales and Health Boards understand and deliver Net Zero, including net zero carbon hospitals and education buildings. Over the past five years, we've delivered more than 100 local refurbishment projects, alongside award‑winning healthcare and higher education schemes supported by our Cardiff‑based team. Our local specialists are also contributing to several schemes within the UK's New Hospital Programme, a long‑term government initiative to replace outdated hospital buildings with modern, digitally enabled facilities.
Join a team trusted to combine top talent, technical excellence, and digital innovation across buildings, transport, water, environment, and energy. Based in our Cardiff office, you will lead the delivery of small to large‑scale Healthcare and Higher Education projects across the UK. This role combines technical leadership, client engagement, and team development, suited to an experienced and motivated engineer looking to progress their career with AECOM.
Responsibilities:- Lead Mechanical teams delivering Healthcare and Education projects to quality, time, and budget.
- Manage bids, client relationships, and represent the business at meetings and interviews.
- Mentor and develop junior engineers while coordinating multi‑disciplinary teams.
- Oversee BIM/Revit‑led design production, ensuring fully coordinated and compliant solutions.
- Manage project resources, QA procedures, statutory approvals, and contractor engagement.
- Ensure compliance with project programmes, safety, health and environmental standards.
You'll enjoy a range of core and personalised benefits designed to support your future and well‑being, customized to fit your lifestyle. Take advantage of career development opportunities, our flexible hybrid working model to ensure a work‑life balance that suits your lifestyle, technical practice networks, AECOM University, and volunteering days.
Qualifications:Proven experience in mechanical building services design within consultancy, particularly in the healthcare and/or education sectors. Previous experience working as a Senior or Principal Engineer. Membership of a relevant professional body (e.g., CIBSE, ASHRAE, or EI). Good understanding of mechanical building services design software and BIM tools (e.g., Revit, IES). Degree in Building Services Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Chartered status or working towards professional accreditation (desirable). Experience in the design and delivery of healthcare facilities, with familiarity of HTM/HBN standards (preferred).
Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cardiff employer: . AECOM Limited
At AECOM, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Cardiff or Bristol where innovation meets purpose. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored career development opportunities, a flexible hybrid working model, and a culture that champions diversity and inclusion. Join us to make a meaningful impact on healthcare and education projects while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional aspirations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cardiff
✨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 . AECOM Limited.
✨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 . AECOM Limited love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of . AECOM Limited 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 Principal Mechanical Engineer in Cardiff
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 . AECOM Limited and the Principal Mechanical Engineer 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 . AECOM Limited
✨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 . AECOM Limited.
✨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 . AECOM Limited.
✨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 . AECOM Limited, making you a more appealing candidate.
