Principal MEP Mechanical Engineer

Overview

This range is provided by ERSG Ltd. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Delivery Recruitment Consultant - Oil, Gas Power, CAD & GIS

Principal MEP Mechanical Engineer

Hybrid

Role Purpose

The Principal MEP Mechanical Engineer will lead the mechanical engineering delivery of residential and commercial construction projects from pre-construction through commissioning and handover. The role acts as the senior mechanical technical authority, ensuring systems are compliant, coordinated, cost-effective, and buildable while supporting programme, quality, and safety objectives.

Key Responsibilities Technical & Delivery Leadership

• Lead mechanical engineering delivery across multiple residential and commercial projects.
• Take ownership of mechanical design development and construction-stage design responsibility on D&B projects.
• Review, challenge, and manage consultant designs to ensure buildability, value, and programme certainty.
• Ensure compliance with UK legislation and standards, including:
• Building Regulations (Part L, Part F, Part O, Part G)
• CIBSE Guides and Technical Memoranda
• BS EN standards and relevant British Standards
• Heat Network (Metering and Billing) Regulations where applicable
• Provide technical leadership across HVAC, domestic water services, drainage, above-ground soil and waste, and specialist mechanical systems.

Pre-Construction & Design Management

• Provide mechanical input into bids, tenders, and pre-construction activities.
• Review Employer's Requirements, specifications, and performance criteria.
• Lead value engineering, alternative solutions, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Coordinate mechanical design with electrical, public health, structural, architectural, and fire engineering teams.
• Manage RFIs, design changes, and technical submissions.

Site Support & Construction Phase

• Provide senior mechanical engineering support to site and project teams.
• Attend site meetings, coordination workshops, and technical reviews.
• Support installation quality, inspections, pressure testing, flushing, and commissioning.
• Resolve on-site mechanical issues, non-conformances, and installation constraints.
• Oversee commissioning strategies, witnessing, O&M manuals, and handover documentation.
• Work closely with commercial and procurement teams to manage cost, variations, and supply chain performance.
• Support procurement strategies for plant, equipment, and specialist subcontractors.
• Ensure mechanical works align with construction sequencing and programme milestones.

Leadership & Team Development

• Act as senior mechanical authority and mentor for engineers, design managers, and site teams.
• Support the development and technical competence of junior mechanical engineers.
• Promote best practice in safe design, quality assurance, and constructability.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Promote safe-by-design principles and contractor H&S standards.
• Fulfil Designer duties under CDM Regulations 2015 where required.
• Ensure compliance with company QA systems, ISO standards, and statutory requirements.

Technical Skills

• Strong contractor-side experience delivering mechanical services on residential and commercial developments.
• In-depth knowledge of HVAC systems including:
• Air-source and ground-source heat pumps
• VRF/VRV systems
• Gas-fired and electric heating systems
• Mechanical ventilation (MVHR, smoke control interface)
• Strong understanding of domestic water services, boosted systems, drainage, and water efficiency.
• Experience with BIM Level 2 coordination using Revit and Navisworks.

Professional Skills

• Strong leadership and decision-making capability in live construction environments.
• Clear and effective communication with site teams, consultants, subcontractors, and clients.
• Commercially aware, pragmatic, and solutions-focused.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering (or equivalent).
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status desirable; working towards acceptable.
• Typically 10+ years' experience in UK building services engineering, with significant…