Job Description
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.
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, CIBSE guidance, and 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
- 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 to deliver multi‑million pound schemes.
- Commercial and programme awareness within a consultancy environment.
Qualifications
- 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.
Additional Information
All newly hired employees are required to attend an in‑person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment, supporting a secure and trustworthy recruitment process.
Benefits
A wide array of compensation, benefits and well‑being programmes to support employees and their families.
EEO Statement
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. We are a Disability Confident Employer and offer an interview to applicants with a disability or long‑term condition who meet the minimum/essential criteria for the role.
