Principal Project Manager in Manchester

Job Overview: Ensures timely and accurate commissioning of engineering services systems.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Deliver projects on time, with required detail and quality.
• Utilise company management systems to achieve objectives.
• Provide consultative advice on commissioning and performance requirements, strategies, programmes and scopes.
• Progress commissioning activities throughout the project cycle with general contractor and vendors.
• Engage with other company members to improve existing systems and procedures.
• Act as a champion in a specific technical area and promote the company and wider group through marketing activities.
• Comply with health and safety policy and procedures.
• Ensure technical compliance and high-quality delivery of deliverables.
• Collaborate with client or general contractor teams to develop commissioning strategies aligned with project objectives.
• Adopt internal project and management systems for full commissioning of building services per contract documentation.
• Maintain awareness of project finances and control expenditures.
• Attend required meetings.
• Prepare technical reports with progress and key issue details.
• Develop project-specific commissioning management/validation documents and procedures.
• Comment technically on drawings, manuals and submittals.
• Develop project-specific method statements, test scripts and the like.
• Report internally on scope changes.
• Evaluate progress, difficulties and costs with the professional team.
• Arrange test instrumentation ahead of time.
• Assist in tender submissions.
• Accurately complete weekly timesheets.
• Support other staff in their work.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in Project Management/Commissioning Management in a building services-oriented business.
• Member of CIBSE, ASHRAE or equivalent professional qualification an advantage.
• Experience with company quality and environmental policies and procedures.
• IT literacy – proficient with MS Office.
• Strong communication skills, client focus, flexible and resilient attitude.
• Leadership qualities and/or aspirations.
• Self-motivated, dynamic, professional, resilient, continuous self-improvement.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours as required by the business.
• Proactive “extra mile” service orientation for clients.
• Team collaboration, minimal supervision, supportive relationships.
• Confident, logical communication, maintain attention to detail.
• Planning, decision making, meeting deadlines, attention to detail, and proper documentation.
• Responsibility for own skill development.
• Generate new ideas, support and implement change positively.
• Motivate and involve others, gain commitment from colleagues.
• Assimilate information and use it for effective decision making.
• Focus on outcomes and take decisive action when circumstances change.

Required Qualifications:

• Registered as a Professional or Chartered Engineer.
• Engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
• Demonstrable industry technical experience.
• 5 years minimum experience within Project Management/Commissioning Management.
• One or more specific, relevant technical expertise.
• Some European travel required.
• Remote working available.

Location and Employment Details:

• Primary Location: United Kingdom – Manchester.
• Industry: Building Engineering.
• Schedule: Full-time.
• Employee Status: Regular.
• Business Class: Building Commissioning.
• Job Posting Date: Jul 1, 2026.

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories.