At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead MEP design for prison projects, ensuring safety and compliance.
- Company: Join AECOM, a leader in innovative building services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor and lead a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on secure facilities while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Chartered Engineer with experience in complex building services design.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
AECOM is seeking a Director-level Chartered Mechanical or Electrical Building Services Engineer to lead Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) design delivery for a growing portfolio of Prison and Secure Estate projects across the UK. This role is a senior technical and leadership position within the Buildings & Places business, responsible for providing design leadership, technical assurance, and project delivery excellence across complex custodial environments. The successful candidate will act as MEP Lead, interfacing closely with clients such as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS), architects, structural engineers, contractors, and internal multi-disciplinary teams.
The role combines hands-on technical leadership, client engagement, team mentoring, and project governance, supporting AECOM’s ambition to deliver safe, resilient, compliant, and sustainable prison infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities- Technical & Design Leadership
- 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 and 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.
- Significant experience delivering Mechanical or Electrical Building Services design on complex buildings.
- Proven experience in delivering MEP projects for the MoJ including Fire Safety Improvements (FSI) projects.
- Strong understanding of MoJ and its structure and standards, secure environment constraints (safety, tamper resistance, resilience), 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.
At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.
Technical Director,Justice – (MEP Building Services) in London employer: AECOM
AECOM is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets purpose. As a Technical Director in the Justice sector, you will lead impactful projects that enhance prison infrastructure while enjoying a culture of collaboration and professional growth. With opportunities for mentoring and technical development, AECOM supports your career advancement in a meaningful role that contributes to public safety and resilience.
