OCS Technical Services is seeking a MEP Technical Services Manager – Mechanical Design with a strong background in designing and reviewing mechanical building services upgrades within existing buildings.
You will lead the technical development of projects including chiller replacements, boiler and heating upgrades, heat pump installations, ventilation improvements and plantroom refurbishments.
Mechanical design expertise is essential. You must be confident producing or checking calculations, specifying equipment, assessing existing systems and challenging consultant and contractor design proposals.
The focus is on refurbishment and replacement projects, often within occupied buildings. You will develop practical engineering solutions that integrate with retained services, improve performance and allow works to be delivered safely with minimal disruption.
Working alongside clients, consultants, specialist contractors and internal project teams, you will support projects from surveys and feasibility through design, procurement, installation, commissioning and handover. You will also coordinate interfaces with electrical, controls and public health services.
Location: Travel across the London–Bristol corridor and surrounding areas.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead mechanical design development and technical reviews for building services upgrades, refurbishment and plant replacement projects.
- Undertake or review site surveys to establish existing system condition, capacity, performance and installation constraints.
- Produce, review and challenge mechanical drawings, calculations, specifications, equipment schedules and technical submissions.
- Check heating and cooling loads, ventilation rates, pipe and duct sizing, flow rates, pressure losses, pump duties and plant capacities.
- Review and specify chillers, boilers, heat pumps, air handling units, pumps and associated mechanical equipment.
- Assess how replacement plant integrates with existing pipework, distribution systems, electrical supplies, BMS and controls.
- Consider plant access, removal and replacement routes, maintenance clearances, structural interfaces and available space.
- Develop practical strategies for temporary services, shutdowns, changeovers and phased installation within occupied buildings.
- Lead design meetings and technical workshops with consultants, specialist contractors, suppliers and clients.
- Resolve technical queries and coordinate mechanical designs with electrical, public health, architectural and structural requirements.
- Support bids, tenders and procurement through technical specifications, design assessments and supplier proposal reviews.
- Identify technical risks and value engineering opportunities while maintaining performance, compliance and quality.
- Ensure designs meet applicable UK Building Regulations, British Standards, CIBSE guidance and project requirements.
- Review commissioning strategies, support testing and witnessing, and assess technical handover documentation.
- Promote energy efficiency, carbon reduction and whole-life value through equipment selection and system design.
- Develop technical standards, mentor colleagues and share lessons learned across the business.
Essential Qualifications and Experience
- A degree, HNC or HND in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering, or equivalent demonstrable mechanical design training and experience.
- Substantial mechanical building services design experience gained within consultancy, a contractor’s design team or a comparable technical engineering environment.
- Direct responsibility for producing or checking mechanical calculations, specifications and equipment selections.
- Demonstrable experience designing or reviewing mechanical plant replacements and upgrades within existing buildings.
- Strong technical knowledge of heating, cooling, ventilation, hydronic systems and associated controls.
- Ability to assess existing installations and challenge consultant and specialist contractor designs.
- Understanding of the operational constraints involved in replacing plant within live buildings.
- Experience coordinating design with installation, commissioning, maintenance and operational requirements.
- Working knowledge of UK Building Regulations, British Standards, CIBSE guidance and relevant Building Safety Act requirements.
- Understanding of RIBA design stages, technical approvals and Design & Build and traditional procurement routes.
- Experience managing technical interfaces across mechanical, electrical and public health services.
- Commercial awareness and the ability to balance performance, capital cost, energy consumption and maintainability.
- Strong communication skills and confidence explaining technical decisions to clients and project teams.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel across the region.
Desirable
- Membership of CIBSE, IMechE or another relevant engineering institution.
- Chartered Engineer status or progression towards professional registration.
- Experience of chiller replacement schemes, low-carbon heating and boiler-to-heat-pump conversions.
- Proficiency in mechanical design calculation software.
- Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks and BIM coordination.
- Experience developing engineering standards and mentoring design engineers.
About The Company:
OCS UK & Ireland is a leading facilities management company with 50,000+ colleagues and a turnover in excess of £2bn. We deliver innovative, award-winning services within facilities management, hard services, cleaning, security and catering.
Our mission is to make people and places the best they can be for our colleagues, customers and the communities we serve. Our commitment to doing business the right way is rooted in our TRUE values - Trust, Respect, Unity, and Empowerment.
Why Work for OCS?
✅Award-Winning Employer: Ranked 36th on Glassdoor’s Best Companies to Work For 2025 — we value and motivate our people.
🚀Digital Learning: The OCS Academy offers digital courses and resources to help you build skills and grow your career.
🙂 Retail Perks With our Hapi app, you can gain access to exclusive discounts, rewards and wellbeing resources.
📝Professional Growth: 600+ live learners across UK&I — Empowering colleagues with further development and qualifications!
💰Flexible Pay: Access a portion of earned wages before payday with our Wagestream App! (Contract Specific)
How to Apply:
We are an equal opportunities employer and rely on a diverse workforce with a broad range of knowledge, skills, and backgrounds to deliver our goals. We offer an inclusive and welcoming environment and actively encourage applications from all individuals regardless of race, gender, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or age.
MEP Technical Services Manager (Mechanical Design) in London employer: OCS Group
OCS UK & Ireland is an award-winning employer that prioritises the growth and wellbeing of its employees, offering extensive training and development opportunities through the OCS Academy. Located in Hammersmith, our team enjoys a supportive work culture that values trust, respect, unity, and empowerment, alongside benefits such as flexible pay options and access to exclusive retail discounts. Join us to be part of a diverse workforce dedicated to making a positive impact in facilities management.
