At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage mechanical design projects to create sustainable engineering solutions.
- Company: Join Dalkia UK, a people-first company tackling climate change with innovative solutions.
- Benefits: Enjoy a supportive culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative team culture with a focus on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on sustainability while developing your leadership skills in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in mechanical design and strong leadership abilities are essential.
About Dalkia UK
At Dalkia, we're driven by a shared purpose: tackling climate change and building a better, more sustainable future. We bring together talented people who share knowledge, challenge each other and grow together. Backed by EDF, Britain's biggest generator of low carbon electricity, we're a people-first culture. With 5,000+ employees and £600m+ turnover, we combine the strength of a major group with a great culture, innovative mindset and inclusive values making Dalkia a great place to work and grow your career.
Job Purpose
To lead and manage the Mechanical Design function in support of front-end, pre-construction, installation, maintenance, and lifecycle business operations. The role is responsible for providing technical leadership, design governance, innovation, and risk management to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality, compliant, and commercially viable mechanical engineering solutions. The Mechanical Design Manager will drive excellence across the design team, support business growth, and ensure alignment between design development and operational delivery.
Aims and Objectives
- Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Operations and Design teams.
- Drive a culture of technical excellence, innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability.
- De-risk projects through robust design review, technical assurance, and effective stakeholder engagement.
- Support business growth by contributing to work-winning strategies aligned with company objectives.
- Ensure the efficient allocation and management of design resources to meet business demands.
- Maximise tender success through innovative engineering solutions, value engineering, and commercially focused design development.
- Foster strong collaboration between Design, Commercial, Operational, and Business Development teams.
- Promote and implement best practice design management processes throughout the project lifecycle.
- Develop and mentor team members to enhance capability, succession planning, and employee engagement.
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Leadership & Management
- Lead, manage, and develop designs to ensure effective delivery of project and business objectives.
- Establish clear performance expectations and support team members through mentoring, coaching, and professional development.
- Manage team workload, resource planning, and prioritisation to ensure optimum utilisation and project delivery.
- Champion a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Support recruitment, succession planning, and talent development within the department.
Technical Leadership
- Provide technical oversight and governance across all mechanical and public health engineering activities.
- Review, approve, and sign off design solutions in accordance with company procedures and industry standards.
- Ensure all designs both internally and our supply chain partners comply with relevant legislation, regulations, British Standards, and client specifications.
- Lead technical reviews and design risk assessments to identify and mitigate project risks.
- Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, industry developments, and sustainable engineering practices.
Business Development & Pre-Construction
- Work closely with Business Development and Estimating teams to identify, assess, and develop new opportunities.
- Support bid strategies through innovative design solutions, value engineering initiatives, and technical differentiation.
- Provide technical leadership during tender submissions, presentations, and client engagements.
- Assist estimating teams in achieving true net cost positions through efficient system selection and design optimisation.
- Support order conversion objectives through proactive engagement with clients, consultants, and key stakeholders.
Design Management
- Manage the design development process from concept through to project handover.
- Ensure effective coordination with consultants, contractors, suppliers, and internal stakeholders.
- Drive the implementation of standardised design procedures and quality assurance processes.
- Oversee the "Design to Operations Handover" process to ensure seamless project delivery.
- Monitor design progress, programme compliance, and deliverable quality across all projects.
Operational Support
- Collaborate with Operational and Commercial teams throughout project delivery to resolve technical challenges and maximise project performance.
- Attend project reviews, pre-start meetings, client meetings, and design workshops as required.
- Conduct site surveys and technical inspections to support design validation and project development.
- Provide technical support during installation, commissioning, and project close-out stages.
Innovation & Continuous Improvement
- Lead the evaluation and implementation of new products, technologies, and engineering solutions.
- Identify opportunities for process improvement, standardisation, and increased operational efficiency.
- Promote digital engineering solutions and modern methods of construction where appropriate.
- Drive lessons learned reviews and implement improvements across future projects.
Health & Safety
All staff are required to fulfil their legal duty to take reasonable care for the health and safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts and omissions and to follow all guidance and instructions given in this respect. The Mechanical Design Manager shall actively promote and embed Health & Safety by Design principles, ensuring that safety risks are identified, assessed, and designed out wherever practicable throughout all stages of project development.
Working Relationships
External
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with Clients, Consultants, Main Contractors, Supply Chain Partners, and Industry Stakeholders.
- Represent the business at client meetings, technical workshops, and industry events.
- Manage consultant performance and drive collaborative, commercially beneficial design outcomes.
Internal
- Work closely with Business Development, Estimating, Commercial, Operations, Procurement, and Senior Management teams.
- Provide leadership and direction to other Design team members and wider design personnel.
- Support strategic business objectives through effective cross-functional collaboration.
Key Success Measures
- Tender conversion rate and work-winning success.
- Design quality and technical compliance.
- Project profitability through value engineering and risk reduction.
- Team utilisation, development, and retention.
- Client satisfaction and repeat business.
- Effective management of design programme delivery.
- Reduction in technical and commercial project risks.
- Continuous improvement and innovation implementation.
Our Values
- People First – It starts with health, safety and wellbeing
- Better Together – A collaborative team
- Trusted Partners – Dedicated to our clients' success
- Taking Responsibility – Making a positive difference
Equity, Diversity & Inclusion
We're committed to an inclusive and fair recruitment process. If you need any adjustments please let us know, in confidence, our team is here to support you.
Mechanical Design Manager in Glasgow employer: Dalkia UK (Scotland)
At Dalkia UK, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment where employees are encouraged to grow and develop their skills. With a strong commitment to health, safety, and sustainability, our team members enjoy competitive benefits and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that combat climate change. Located in a vibrant area, Dalkia offers a unique blend of professional growth and a supportive culture, making it an exceptional employer for those seeking a rewarding career in the Fire & Security sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mechanical Design Manager in Glasgow
✨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 Dalkia UK (Scotland).
✨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 Dalkia UK (Scotland) love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Dalkia UK (Scotland) 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 Mechanical Design Manager in Glasgow
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 Dalkia UK (Scotland) and the Mechanical Design Manager 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 Dalkia UK (Scotland)
✨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 Dalkia UK (Scotland).
✨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 Dalkia UK (Scotland).
✨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 Dalkia UK (Scotland), making you a more appealing candidate.
