At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative mechanical engineering projects and engage with clients to deliver sustainable solutions.
- Company: Join Hoare Lea, a human-centric engineering consultancy committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25 days annual leave, private medical cover, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on personal growth and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on exciting projects that shape the built environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and extensive project leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 44100 - 53900 £ per year.
About us
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 UK 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. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality.
- 9-day fortnight scheme
- Thriving community groups
- Varied social and networking events
- Extensive professional and technical development schemes
- Private medical cover
- An electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Stock options
- 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service)
- Flexible and hybrid working
Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.
About the role
We have an opportunity for an Associate Mechanical Engineer to play a key role in delivering high-quality, sustainable mechanical engineering solutions across multiple projects in the built environment. 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’re actively connecting with likeminded businesses and professionals in the area; if this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch or join us for a coffee and a conversation.
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.
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.
We are seeking an Associate Mechanical Engineer to lead client relationships and deliver technically excellent, commercially sound mechanical design across building services projects. This vacancy will suit an experienced Associate who manages project delivery and client engagement.
In this key and varied role, you can expect to:
- Act as primary client contact for projects; define and agree briefs and represent Hoare Lea professionally at project meetings.
- Promote Hoare Lea’s services to create opportunities and support customer objectives.
- Lead and coordinate project teams (including specialist groups), prioritise workloads and host/chair internal project meetings.
- Deliver profitable, high-quality schemes; monitor project expenditure, report costs and resource needs to line managers/partners.
- Delegate, review and check work from junior staff; contribute to staff development and performance objectives.
- Maintain awareness of consultant appointment conditions, procurement routes and commercial risks; identify and mitigate business risks.
- Contribute to technical knowledge sharing across the firm and ensure technical accuracy and compliance with relevant standards.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with clients, consultants and contractors to support repeat business and growth.
About you
To be successful in this role you’ll need:
- Degree in Mechanical/Building Services Engineering or equivalent.
- Chartered status desirable or working towards.
- Extensive project & client leadership experience.
- Strong technical competence in mechanical building services, working to applicable regulations and design guides.
- Ability to lead integrated design teams, coordinate with other disciplines and deliver technically accurate designs.
- Excellent client-facing, written and verbal communication skills; able to manage difficult situations.
- Demonstrable commercial awareness: monitor project costs, identify/mitigate risks and contribute to profitable delivery.
- Proven people leadership: motivate, delegate and develop team members — leads projects.
- Highly organised with strong planning skills; able to work under own initiative and deliver to demanding timescales.
- IT literate with proficiency in industry software and BIM workflows.
- Committed to continuous professional development and knowledge-sharing.
Adjustments and accommodations
If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.
We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners who assist us when required. We do not acknowledge speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.
Associate Mechanical Engineer in Reading employer: Hoare Lea
Hoare Lea is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a flexible and hybrid working environment tailored to support a healthy work-life balance. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation in the built environment, employees benefit from comprehensive medical cover, stock options, and a collaborative culture that fosters leadership and technical excellence. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to delivering impactful engineering solutions while advancing your career in a supportive setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Mechanical Engineer in Reading
✨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 Hoare Lea.
✨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 Hoare Lea love to hear about practical applications of your skills.
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
Check out the careers page of Hoare Lea 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 Associate Mechanical Engineer in Reading
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 Hoare Lea and the Associate Mechanical 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 Hoare Lea
✨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 Hoare Lea.
✨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 Hoare Lea.
✨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 Hoare Lea, making you a more appealing candidate.
