Principal MEP Mechanical Engineer

Principal MEP Mechanical Engineer

Outside IR35

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
• BSRIA commissioning guides
• 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 Employers 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.

Commercial & Programme Management

• 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.

Skills & Competencies

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 contractor-side delivery experience.
• Proven experience delivering residential and commercial projects through construction and handover.

Desirable Experience

• High-rise residential schemes (including ventilation overheating and fire strategy interfaces).
• Low-carbon and net-zero technologies including heat networks and renewable systems.
• Tier 1 or Tier 2 main contractor environment.
• MMC prefabrication and off-site plant solutions.

ersg are an equal opportunities employer; we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all job applicants. We do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of age sex race disability pregnancy marital status sexual orientation gender reassignment or religious background; all decisions are based on merit.