Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in London

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in London

London Full-Time 72000 - 88000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Hays

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical design projects from concept to completion.
  • Company: Join a respected consultancy known for sustainable building solutions.
  • Benefits: Earn up to £80k, enjoy flexible working, and shape UK infrastructure.
  • Other info: Great opportunity for career growth and mentoring junior engineers.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on landmark projects across various sectors.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in mechanical design and strong HVAC knowledge required.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.

Ready to lead on some of the UK’s most exciting building services projects? This is your chance to join a highly respected multidisciplinary consultancy delivering innovative, sustainable solutions across commercial offices, retail developments, and mixed-use schemes. Known for technical excellence and forward-thinking design, they’re trusted by major developers and architects nationwide.

Your role: As a Principal Mechanical Engineer, you’ll take ownership of mechanical building services design from concept through to completion. You’ll collaborate with clients and internal teams to deliver projects that meet performance, compliance, and sustainability goals.

Projects:

  • Commercial & Office – New-build and refurbishment, including complex city-centre and conservation-area schemes
  • Residential & Mixed-Use – Large-scale housing developments, regeneration schemes, and residential-led mixed-use projects
  • Education – Schools, colleges, and higher-education facilities, including specialist STEM buildings
  • Healthcare – Acute hospitals and healthcare infrastructure, including major PFI schemes
  • Retail & Leisure – Retail-led mixed-use developments and leisure assets
  • Public Sector & Custodial – Government, local authority, and custodial projects
  • Infrastructure & Transport – Infrastructure-related developments and transport-adjacent schemes

What you’ll need to succeed:

  • Extensive experience in mechanical building services design
  • Strong knowledge of HVAC systems and low-carbon technologies
  • Ability to lead projects and mentor junior engineers
  • Excellent communication and client-facing skills
  • UK-based (no sponsorship available)

What you’ll get in return:

  • Competitive salary up to 80,000 DOE
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Opportunity to work on landmark projects shaping the future of UK infrastructure

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call Adam Smeddle on 0207 2598760 now. If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in London employer: Hays

Join a vibrant secondary school that prioritises excellence in education and fosters a supportive community for both students and staff. As the Head of Mathematics, you will benefit from a competitive salary, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and growth. This role not only allows you to lead a dedicated team but also to make a significant impact on student achievement in a welcoming environment.

Hays

Contact Details:

Hays Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Mechanical Design Engineer in London

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 Hays.

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 Hays love to hear about practical applications of your skills.

Apply Directly on Company Websites

Check out the careers page of Hays 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 in London

Mechanical Building Services Design
HVAC Systems Knowledge
Low-Carbon Technologies
Project Leadership
Mentoring Junior Engineers
Communication Skills
Client-Facing Skills

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 Hays and the Principal Mechanical Design Engineer 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 Hays

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 Hays.

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 Hays.

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 Hays, making you a more appealing candidate.