Mechanical Design Engineer

Location: Douglas

Dowds are seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer to join our Building Services team in Ballymena. This is an excellent opportunity to work on high-value projects across Energy, Healthcare, Higher Education, Commercial, Life Sciences, and Facilities Management, with typical project values ranging from £5m-£35m. In this role, you will deliver high-quality mechanical and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical & Public Health) designs, ensuring compliant, safe, technically robust engineering solutions across all RIBA and BSRIA design stages-from feasibility and concept design through to installation, commissioning and handover.

You will work collaboratively with internal engineering teams, external consultants, specialist contractors and client organisations, while contributing to digital innovation and modern design workflows. You will also join a business that invests heavily in people. Through the Dowds Academy, you will access extensive development pathways including chartership support (IEng/CEng), leadership development and structured technical growth. We dedicate 10% of every engineer's working week to continuous learning.

As an experienced design engineer, you will have opportunities to mentor graduates and early-career engineers, including access to coaching and mentoring development.

What We Offer We provide a competitive and modern benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and career growth:
Market-leading annual leave entitlement Generous and reliable bonus scheme Salary sacrifice pension with strong employer contributions Enhanced family leave Private medical care Health cash plan (dentistry, optical, therapies + more) Salary sacrifice schemes for cars, tech & lifestyle benefits Onsite canteen with complimentary tea, coffee, fruit and snacks Access to a company travel scheme

Key Responsibilities Mechanical & MEP Design Delivery Produce and oversee detailed mechanical building services designs, including HVAC, ventilation, plant rooms, domestic water, public health services, LPHW/CHW, piping, plumbing, medical gases, fire sprinkler systems, BMS and associated systems. Coordinate mechanical-electrical interfaces, ensuring seamless integration of controls, electrical supplies and wider MEP system strategies. Develop, review and assess mechanical and MEP designs across all RIBA/BSRIA stages, ensuring alignment with project objectives, scope, budgets and programmes.

Review consultant and contractor design outputs including Revit models, Navisworks models, plant selections, load calculations, schematics and P&IDs, ensuring compliance with Employer's Requirements and project specifications. Leadership, Management & Collaboration Manage the MEP consultant design team, assigning tasks (BG6 & DRM), setting deadlines, tracking performance and providing technical mentorship. Work closely with electrical, architectural, structural and project management teams to deliver fully coordinated MEP engineering solutions.

Lead and contribute to design review meetings with clients, consultants, contractors and internal teams, providing clear technical guidance and decision-making. Support definition of scopes, BG6 responsibilities and DRM allocations for both internal and outsourced design packages. Design Governance, Quality & Compliance Assess design quality and maintain accurate records in line with BSRIA BG2, BG3 and BG4 for audit and handover.

Ensure all systems achieve compliance with CIBSE, BSRIA, HTMs, British Standards, CDM Regulations, BREEAM, Building Regulations and relevant industry accreditations. Conduct site visits to validate existing conditions, assess buildability, identify design risks and contribute to mitigation strategies. Digital Engineering, BIM & Modelling Review Revit, AutoCAD and Navisworks models for coordination, clash detection, buildability and compliance with BEP and company standards.

Collaborate closely with in-house BIM teams to ensure accurate modelling workflows, including DfMA, off-site prefabrication opportunities and optimised sequencing. Technical Documentation, Reporting & Approvals Prepare and review technical reports, schedules, spreadsheets, submittals, tender documents and presentations. Lead or support development of Technical Submittals and Proposals, ensuring the timely submission of all supporting information. Provide early-stage technical input for cost planning, including engineering calculations, load modelling and value-engineering assessments.

Design Control, Risk Management & Communication Develop, issue and manage RFIs throughout the design process, ensuring traceability and clarity for delivery teams. Proactively issue EWNs/NCNs, supporting CE/Variation processes during PCSA and detailed design stages. Review early-stage design reports and ERs to inform budgets, cost plans and procurement strategies. Construction, Handover & Post-Design Support Provide technical support throughout construction, commissioning and handover, ensuring design intent is clearly…