Principal Mechanical Engineer in Christchurch

We have an opportunity for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to play a key role in delivering high-quality, sustainable mechanical engineering solutions across multiple projects in the built environment.

Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high-performing work culture.

You will take the lead design role on significant and complex building services projects, owning the design delivery from inception to completion.

As the technical lead, you will manage and prioritise the internal Hoare-Lea delivery team, coordinate with other disciplines and external consultants, and represent Hoare-Lea at client and project meetings.

You will ensure technically excellent, commercially aware and timely delivery while developing client relationships that support future business growth.

In this key and varied role, you can expect to

• Lead the design delivery for significant and complex schemes, taking responsibility for achieving design objectives and technical quality.
• Define and agree the design brief with clients and manage client and consultant relationships professionally.
• Represent Hoare-Lea at project meetings and actively promote our services to support client projects and future business.
• Manage, prioritise and motivate the internal project team (including specialist groups); host and chair internal project meetings.
• Delegate, review and check work undertaken by others; contribute to the professional development of team members.
• Monitor project expenditure, costs and resource requirements; report regularly to the team leader.
• Identify, highlight and manage project and commercial risks, including awareness of consultant appointment conditions and procurement impacts.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards, technical accuracy and programme deadlines.
• Share technical knowledge across the business and work collaboratively with other professionals to deliver coordinated building designs.
• Communicate openly and effectively at all levels internally and externally.

Hoare-Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy.

We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the United Kingdom and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few.

Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life.

We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential.

To be successful in this role you'll need

• Qualified and recognised in the industry, preferably with Chartered status.
• Proven, in-depth technical knowledge in mechanical/building services design and applied experience of relevant regulations and design guides.
• Strong understanding of complementary disciplines and experience leading integrated design teams.
• Excellent client-facing skills with ability to manage difficult situations calmly and professionally.
• Demonstrable experience leading design teams on complex projects and delivering to demanding timescales.
• Commercial awareness: experience monitoring project costs, identifying commercial risks and contributing to profitable delivery.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple demands.
• Confident communicator – excellent written and spoken English – with experience representing a consultancy externally.
• IT literate with proficiency in industry software (Revit, Auto CAD).
• Committed to continuous professional development and supporting the career growth of others.

We also offer an extensive benefits package, including the following

• Private medical cover
• An electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Stock options
• 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service)
• Flexible and hybrid working
• A 9-day fortnight scheme
• Thriving community groups
• Varied social and networking events
• Extensive professional and technical development schemes

You will join our Mechanical team based in either our Bournemouth or Reading office.

With more than 45 years’ presence on the south coast – beginning in Bournemouth – we’ve developed deep commercial-sector expertise and long-standing relationships locally and beyond.

Reading is a thriving town experiencing rapid growth across many sectors, and our teams are delivering transformational, sustainable projects – including Station Hill and other major schemes – that are shaping the region.

We are a recognised leader in the built environment, shaping some of the most ambitious and technically demanding projects across the residential, hospitality, leisure, commercial, and complex engineering sectors.

Our work spans cutting-edge healthcare and research facilities, high-performance data centres, critical infrastructure and state-of-the-art manufacturing and technology environments projects that push boundaries and deliver real-world impact.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, we combine innovation, technical expertise, and practical delivery to create solutions that are not only robust and reliable, but forward-thinking and sustainable.

Our teams work at the forefront of the industry, collaborating with leading clients across the public and private sectors, both locally and internationally.

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