Principal Mechanical Design Engineer – Building Services

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer – Building Services

Full-Time 70000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Cibsejournal

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead mechanical design for major projects, from concept to construction.
  • Company: A leading MEP contractor with a strong design team in London.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, travel expenses covered, and long-term career growth.
  • Other info: Opportunity for autonomy and influence in a stable, expanding design environment.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team delivering high-value, complex projects across the UK.
  • Qualifications: Experienced mechanical engineer with a background in building services and project delivery.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 70000 £ per year.

A leading MEP contractor is seeking a Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to join a well–established and growing electrical design team in London. This is a senior technical appointment within a delivery–focused, contractor–led environment operating across some of the UK's most complex building services projects. The design team consists of approximately 25 engineers, supported by a strong secured pipeline of work providing at least two years of forward workload visibility.

The Opportunity

You will take a leading role in delivering electrical design across multiple high–value projects through RIBA Stages 1–5, combining technical leadership, coordination, and hands‑on design oversight. The current workload includes a major hyperscale data centre development (400m+ core project value), forming a flagship scheme within the business, alongside a strong portfolio of complex commercial, institutional, and mixed‑use developments across London.

Live and Upcoming Project Portfolio

  • Large‑scale urban redevelopment scheme within a key central London regeneration zone, involving multiple mixed‑use assets
  • Over‑site development above major transport infrastructure in a prime central London location
  • High‑profile commercial development at a major central London address
  • Significant works at a nationally recognised cultural institution involving sensitive refurbishment and infrastructure upgrade
  • Major capital programme within a leading UK higher education campus involving phased redevelopment and expansion works
  • Hyperscale data centre programme with mission‑critical electrical infrastructure and high resilience requirements

This is a highly design‑led contractor environment where engineers are trusted with real ownership, technical responsibility, and direct client engagement.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead Mechanical design delivery across multiple concurrent major projects
  • Manage design development from early concept through detailed design and construction stages (RIBA 1–5)
  • Provide technical leadership, mentoring
  • Coordinate with internal disciplines, clients, and external consultants
  • Support delivery of mission‑critical and large‑scale infrastructure environments
  • Ensure compliance with relevant UK regulations, standards, and client requirements
  • Contribute to design optimisation, value engineering, and technical innovation

Package

  • Circa 70,000 basic salary
  • Car allowance
  • All travel expenses covered
  • Strong forward workload (2+ years secured pipeline)
  • Exposure to landmark UK developments and major infrastructure schemes
  • Long‑term progression within a growing and stable design team

About You

  • Mechanical Engineer with strong building services design experience
  • Proven experience delivering projects through RIBA Stages 1–5
  • Background in consultancy or contractor design environment
  • Experience working on large‑scale commercial, infrastructure, or mission‑critical projects
  • Data centre experience highly advantageous
  • Strong leadership, coordination, and stakeholder management skills

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a stable and expanding design function delivering some of the UK's most technically challenging and high‑value projects, including a significant presence in the data centre and major infrastructure sector. You'll have autonomy, responsibility, and the chance to influence design delivery at a senior level across a secure long‑term pipeline.

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer – Building Services employer: Cibsejournal

Join a leading MEP contractor in London, where you will be part of a dynamic and supportive design team dedicated to delivering high-value projects across the UK's most complex building services. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, and fully covered travel expenses, all while working in a culture that values technical leadership and innovation. This role offers the unique opportunity to influence landmark developments and advance your career within a stable and expanding environment.

Cibsejournal

Contact Details:

Cibsejournal Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Design Engineer – 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 Cibsejournal.

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 Cibsejournal love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Cibsejournal 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 Design Engineer – Building Services

Problem-Solving Skills
SQL
Communication Skills
Python
Automation
Data Engineering
ETL/ELT Processes

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 Cibsejournal and the Principal Mechanical Design Engineer – 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 Cibsejournal

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 Cibsejournal.

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 Cibsejournal.

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 Cibsejournal, making you a more appealing candidate.