Mechanical Project Manager | Blyth

Mechanical Project Manager - Hyperscale Data Centre | Blyth, UK

• A senior project delivery position on a major hyperscale data centre development.
• A long-term pipeline of data centre and mission‑critical projects throughout the UK.
• Career progression opportunities towards Senior Mechanical Project Manager, MEP Project Director or Project Director.
• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Structured technical training and professional development.
• Support towards relevant professional memberships and chartership.
• Exposure to complex, high-value mechanical and mission‑critical systems.
• The opportunity to work with an experienced international construction and engineering team.

Mechanical Project Manager Job Overview

A leading Tier 1 Contractor is seeking an experienced Mechanical Project Manager to join the project delivery team on a major hyperscale data centre development in Blyth, Northumberland.

The Mechanical Project Manager will take responsibility for delivering high‑value mechanical packages from design coordination and procurement through installation, testing, commissioning and final handover. The project scope will include cooling systems, chilled‑water networks, ventilation, pipework, pumps, heat‑rejection equipment, water‑treatment systems, fire protection, drainage and associated BMS controls.

Working closely with the Project Director, MEP management team, consultants, specialist subcontractors and client representatives, you will ensure that mechanical works are delivered safely, on programme, within budget and to the required technical and quality standards.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Mechanical Project Manager, Senior Mechanical Engineer or Mechanical Construction Manager looking to work on one of the UK's most significant mission‑critical construction projects.

Key Responsibilities of the Mechanical Project Manager

Mechanical Project Delivery

• Take overall responsibility for assigned mechanical packages from pre‑construction through final handover.
• Develop and implement the mechanical project delivery strategy.
• Ensure mechanical works are delivered safely, within budget and in accordance with the project programme.
• Establish clear package objectives, milestones and responsibilities.
• Coordinate mechanical activities with electrical, CSA, architectural and specialist systems packages.
• Monitor package performance and implement corrective actions where required.
• Identify design, procurement, construction and commissioning risks at an early stage.
• Provide regular progress updates to the Project Director and senior management team.
• Ensure client requirements and contractual obligations are understood by the mechanical delivery team.

Mechanical Systems and Technical Scope

• Manage the delivery of data centre cooling and heat‑rejection systems.
• Oversee chilled‑water networks, pumps, valves, pressurisation units and associated pipework.
• Coordinate chillers, dry coolers, cooling towers, CRAH units and other specialist cooling equipment.
• Manage ventilation, ductwork, air‑distribution and smoke‑control installations.
• Coordinate domestic water, drainage and public health systems.
• Oversee fire protection, sprinkler and specialist suppression system interfaces.
• Manage water‑treatment, flushing, cleaning and chemical‑treatment requirements.
• Coordinate fuel systems and generator‑support services where included within the package scope.
• Ensure mechanical systems are fully integrated with electrical, BMS and controls infrastructure.
• Review system redundancy, resilience, energy efficiency and maintainability requirements.

Design and Engineering Coordination

• Review Employer's Requirements, specifications, drawings and technical submissions.
• Coordinate mechanical design development with consultants, engineers, BIM teams and specialist subcontractors.
• Ensure mechanical designs comply with project requirements, applicable standards and client specifications.
• Review schematics, layouts, equipment schedules, pipework specifications and calculations.
• Manage technical submittals, design approvals and material approval processes.
• Coordinate plantroom layouts, maintenance clearances, access routes and equipment replacement strategies.
• Identify design gaps, clashes and buildability concerns before installation.
• Manage technical queries and RFIs through to timely resolution.
• Participate in BIM coordination and multidisciplinary design reviews.
• Ensure approved design changes are incorporated into construction information.

Planning and Programme Management

• Develop detailed mechanical construction programmes with the planning team.
• Establish key milestones for design, procurement, installation, testing and commissioning.
• Monitor progress against the approved baseline programme.
• Prepare short‑term look‑ahead plans and track critical mechanical activities.
• Identify programme risks and implement recovery measures where required.
• Coordinate subcontractor labour, supervision, materials and equipment requirements.
• Ensure mechanical works are sequenced effectively with electrical and CSA activities.
• Monitor design release dates and procurement lead times against programme requirements.
• Report delays, constraints and potential impacts to senior project management.
• Support the development of flushing, testing and commissioning programmes.

Procurement and Supply‑Chain Management

• Develop procurement schedules for major mechanical equipment and subcontract packages.
• Prepare or review scopes of work, technical specifications and tender documentation.
• Participate in subcontractor and supplier tender evaluations.
• Review technical and commercial submissions with procurement and commercial teams.
• Manage long‑lead equipment procurement, including chillers, pumps, heat‑rejection equipment and CRAH units.
• Monitor equipment manufacturing, factory testing, delivery and installation dates.
• Coordinate directly with specialist vendors and supply‑chain partners.
• Ensure procurement documentation includes testing, commissioning, warranty and handover requirements.
• Address procurement delays and develop appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Monitor subcontractor performance against contractual and programme obligations.

Construction and Site Management

• Manage the day‑to‑day delivery of mechanical construction activities.
• Lead Mechanical Engineers, supervisors, subcontractors and specialist vendors.
• Ensure approved drawings, specifications and work packs are available before work begins.
• Review and approve method statements, risk assessments and installation procedures.
• Conduct regular site walks to monitor safety, quality and progress.
• Ensure adequate labour, materials, plant and supervision are available.
• Coordinate access, logistics, lifting and material‑handling requirements.
• Resolve construction issues and interface constraints promptly.
• Ensure installed systems and equipment are protected throughout construction.
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping and installation quality.

Health, Safety and Environmental Management

• Promote a strong safety‑first culture across all mechanical activities.
• Ensure works comply with project EHS procedures and relevant UK legislation.
• Review RAMS and ensure control measures are implemented on site.
• Monitor lifting operations, hot works, pressure testing, confined spaces and work at height.
• Ensure permit‑to‑work and lockout/tagout procedures are followed.
• Coordinate the safe storage and handling of chemicals and treatment products.
• Participate in safety inspections, audits and incident investigations.
• Address unsafe conditions and behaviours immediately.
• Work closely with the EHS team to improve project safety performance.
• Ensure environmental and sustainability requirements are incorporated into mechanical activities.

Quality Assurance and Control

• Implement the project quality plan across mechanical packages.
• Ensure installations comply with approved drawings, specifications and technical standards.
• Review inspection and test plans before work commences.
• Coordinate inspections with QA/QC personnel, consultants and client representatives.
• Monitor welding, pressure testing, flushing, cleaning and system certification.
• Manage snagging, non‑conformance reports and corrective actions.
• Ensure defects are recorded, assigned and closed within agreed timescales.
• Maintain complete inspection, testing and quality records.
• Review subcontractor quality documentation and turnover packs.
• Promote a right‑first‑time approach across the mechanical delivery team.

Commercial and Change Management

• Work closely with the commercial team to manage mechanical package budgets.
• Monitor package expenditure, commitments, forecasts and cost‑to‑complete.
• Identify scope changes, variations and potential commercial risks.
• Maintain accurate records to support change management and contractual entitlement.
• Review subcontractor progress, variations and payment applications.
• Provide technical input into commercial assessments and negotiations.
• Support value engineering without compromising safety, quality or system performance.
• Monitor the commercial impact of design development and programme changes.
• Assist with resolving subcontractor claims and package disputes.
• Report commercial risks and opportunities to the Project Director and Commercial Manager.

Testing and Commissioning

• Develop the mechanical testing and commissioning strategy with the commissioning team.
• Ensure testing requirements are incorporated into construction planning and package scopes.
• Coordinate factory acceptance testing and site acceptance testing.
• Manage pressure testing, flushing, cleaning, chemical treatment and water‑quality verification.
• Coordinate equipment start‑up, balancing and performance testing.
• Monitor Level 1-5 commissioning activities and associated documentation.
• Support integrated systems testing and client demonstrations.
• Ensure commissioning defects and outstanding works are closed promptly.
• Coordinate vendor attendance and specialist technical support.
• Verify that mechanical systems achieve the required capacity, resilience and performance.
• Ensure BMS controls, alarms and system interfaces are fully tested.

Team and Stakeholder Management

• Lead and support Mechanical Engineers, supervisors and package teams.
• Establish clear responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Mentor junior engineers and support their technical development.
• Chair mechanical package, subcontractor and coordination meetings.
• Maintain effective relationships with the client, consultants and supply chain.
• Coordinate closely with electrical, CSA, BIM, commercial, planning and commissioning teams.
• Communicate technical and programme issues clearly to senior management.
• Manage subcontractor performance and address underperformance promptly.
• Promote collaboration, accountability and professional conduct across the project.
• Support recruitment and resource planning for the mechanical delivery team.

Handover and Project Close‑Out

• Develop package handover plans with the commissioning and quality teams.
• Ensure snagging and outstanding works are progressively closed.
• Coordinate the preparation of as‑built drawings and record information.
• Review operation and maintenance manuals, warranties and training documentation.
• Ensure testing certificates, commissioning records and water‑treatment reports are complete.
• Manage client training and system demonstrations.
• Coordinate the handover of completed mechanical systems to the client.
• Support final account and subcontractor close‑out activities.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to post‑project reviews.
• Ensure a structured transition from construction to operations.

Essential Qualifications and Experience of the Mechanical Project Manager

• Degree, HNC, HND, trade qualification or equivalent experience in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services.
• Minimum five years' experience managing mechanical packages on major construction or engineering projects.
• Previous experience as a Mechanical Project Manager, Mechanical Construction Manager or Senior Mechanical Engineer.
• Strong technical knowledge of mechanical building services and cooling systems.
• Experience managing mechanical works from design and procurement through commissioning and handover.
• Demonstrated ability to manage specialist subcontractors, vendors and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with construction programming, resource planning and progress reporting.
• Strong understanding of health and safety requirements for mechanical construction and testing.
• Experience reviewing technical submittals, drawings, RAMS and quality documentation.
• Good commercial awareness and experience managing package budgets and variations.
• Strong leadership, communication and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple technical, commercial and programme priorities.
• Competence using Microsoft Office and project management systems.
• Willingness to work in a site‑based environment in Blyth.
• Eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working on hyperscale data centres, mission‑critical facilities or large‑scale technology projects.
• Experience managing high‑value mechanical packages for a Tier 1 Contractor or leading MEP contractor.
• Strong knowledge of chilled‑water, cooling, ventilation and heat‑rejection systems.
• Experience with BMS controls and integrated systems.
• Knowledge of data centre commissioning stages and integrated systems testing.
• Experience managing OFCI equipment and international specialist vendors.
• Familiarity with BIM coordination and digital construction platforms.
• SMSTS or equivalent site‑management qualification.
• Professional membership of CIBSE, IMechE or another recognised engineering institution.
• Chartered Engineer status or progression towards chartership.

Apply for This Mechanical Project Manager Opportunity

This position would suit an experienced Mechanical Project Manager, Mechanical Construction Manager, Senior Mechanical Engineer or Mechanical Package Manager with a background in data centres, MEP construction, building services or other technically complex projects.

The successful candidate will initially be based on the hyperscale data centre project in Blyth, with potential opportunities to work across the contractor's wider UK project portfolio.