HVAC & Utilities Engineering Lead

Jacobs; Basel; Hybrid; CHF 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an experienced HVAC & Utilities Engineering Lead to drive the design and delivery of complex Life Sciences and Data Centre projects in Switzerland.

You will lead HVAC and utility piping activities, manage concepts to commissioning, and serve as the technical lead for clients and project teams.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience with HVAC systems, including air-side systems, AHUs, and piping networks.
• Strong background in Life Sciences and/or Data Centre projects.
• Proven experience with concept studies, detailed design, brownfield upgrades, and large CAPEX projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead HVAC and utility piping engineering activities and ensure high-quality project delivery.
• Coordinate projects from concept design through detailed engineering, construction and commissioning.
• Act as main technical point of contact for clients, contractors and multidisciplinary teams.

Skills

HVAC systems

Life Sciences

Data Centre

Project leadership

BMS integration

Swiss regulations

Tools

Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC)

BIM360

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are seeking an experienced HVAC & Utilities Engineering Lead to lead the design and delivery of complex projects within the Life Sciences and Data Centre sectors in Switzerland.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead HVAC and utility piping engineering activities and ensure high-quality project delivery.
• Manage projects from concept design through detailed engineering, construction, and commissioning.
• Act as the main technical point of contact for clients, contractors, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Ensure compliance with Swiss regulations, client requirements, and cGMP standards.
• Provide technical guidance and support key engineering and design decisions.

Requirements

• Extensive experience with HVAC systems, including air-side systems, air handling units (AHUs), and utility piping networks.
• Strong background in Life Sciences (Pharma/Biotech) and/or Data Centre projects.
• Proven experience with concept studies, detailed design, brownfield upgrades, and large CAPEX projects.
• In-depth knowledge of Swiss codes, standards, building services, BMS integration, and energy-efficient HVAC solutions.
• Experience coordinating vendors, contractors, and installation works in Switzerland.

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical HVAC installation experience in Switzerland.
• Established network of local suppliers, contractors, and engineering partners.
• Proficiency with Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), BIM360, design coordination, and clash detection processes.

Here's what you'll need

• Demonstrated experience leading HVAC/Utilities disciplines and teams
• Strong understanding of project criticality, energy optimization, and heat recovery systems
• Ideally 12 or more years of experience and at least 5 years responsible for technical design and implementation in Switzerland
• Fluent in German and English (German is mandatory for this role)
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work effectively in multi-office, international project teams

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we're keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.