Principal Mechanical Engineer, UAE

SSH; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

SSH in the United Arab Emirates seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership and oversee mechanical building services across complex projects from concept through construction. You will coordinate with clients, architects, consultants and other engineering disciplines to ensure high-quality engineering solutions.

The role requires 15+ years of experience in building services design, a strong background in HVAC systems, and proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Typically 15+ years of relevant experience in mechanical/building services design.
• Experience leading mechanical design teams and coordinating complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Chartered Engineer or equivalent accreditation would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and technical delivery of HVAC, plumbing, drainage and associated mechanical building services systems across multiple projects.
• Develop and review mechanical design concepts, calculations, specifications, drawings, schedules and technical reports.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to Mechanical Engineers, Senior Engineers and BIM teams.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable local authority requirements, international codes, standards and project specifications.
• Lead multidisciplinary coordination with architecture, structural, electrical, public health and other specialist disciplines.
• Undertake technical reviews and quality assurance of mechanical designs and deliverables.
• Identify design risks, constructability issues and opportunities for technical and value engineering improvements.
• Participate in client, design coordination and technical meetings, representing the mechanical discipline.
• Support projects through tender and construction stages, including responding to RFIs, reviewing technical submissions and resolving site-related design issues.
• Manage mechanical design deliverables, resources and priorities to achieve project programme and quality requirements.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to the continuous development of engineering standards and best practices.

Skills

Mechanical building services design

Technical leadership

Coordination across disciplines

Client and stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Revit

Job description

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Principal Mechanical Engineer to provide technical leadership and oversee the delivery of mechanical building services across complex, multidisciplinary projects. The role will be responsible for ensuring high-quality engineering solutions from concept through detailed design and construction stages, while coordinating effectively with clients, architects, consultants and other engineering disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and technical delivery of HVAC, plumbing, drainage and associated mechanical building services systems across multiple projects.
• Develop and review mechanical design concepts, calculations, specifications, drawings, schedules and technical reports.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to Mechanical Engineers, Senior Engineers and BIM teams.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable local authority requirements, international codes, standards and project specifications.
• Lead multidisciplinary coordination with architecture, structural, electrical, public health and other specialist disciplines.
• Undertake technical reviews and quality assurance of mechanical designs and deliverables.
• Identify design risks, constructability issues and opportunities for technical and value engineering improvements.
• Participate in client, design coordination and technical meetings, representing the mechanical discipline.
• Support projects through tender and construction stages, including responding to RFIs, reviewing technical submissions and resolving site-related design issues.
• Manage mechanical design deliverables, resources and priorities to achieve project programme and quality requirements.
• Mentor junior team members and contribute to the continuous development of engineering standards and best practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Typically 15+ years of relevant experience in mechanical/building services design, preferably within a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy.
• Strong experience delivering major hospitality, high-rise residential, mixed-use and commercial developments.
• Demonstrated experience leading mechanical design teams and coordinating complex multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of HVAC and mechanical building services design, relevant international standards and regional authority requirements.
• Experience across concept, schematic, detailed design and construction support stages.
• Proficiency in relevant engineering design and calculation software; good understanding of BIM/Revit-based project delivery.
• Excellent communication, coordination, technical leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Professional engineering accreditation such as Chartered Engineer, CEng, PE or equivalent would be advantageous.

Key Competencies

• Technical leadership and engineering excellence
• Mechanical building services expertise
• Multidisciplinary design coordination
• Design review and quality management
• Client and stakeholder management
• Problem solving and decision making
• Team leadership and mentoring
• Commercial and programme awareness