Design Manager

Red Rock Consultants Ltd; Shaw; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Red Rock Consultants Ltd. is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead the mechanical design function for multiple projects in the Newbury, London and surrounding areas.

You will oversee design development, coordination, and delivery of mechanical building services designs with a focus on quality, regulatory compliance and energy efficiency. The role requires strong leadership, extensive experience in HVAC systems, and proficiency with AutoCAD or Revit MEP.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in mechanical building services design at senior/management level.
• Proven experience leading design teams and multiple projects.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing systems.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD or Revit MEP.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the mechanical design function across multiple projects.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to the design team.
• Oversee designs, drawings, calculations and specifications.
• Review and approve designs for quality and compliance.
• Coordinate design activities with clients, consultants and contractors.
• Provide technical support to project managers and site teams.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

HVAC knowledge

Regulatory know-how

Education

HNC/HND or Degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit MEP

Job description

Job Type: Full-time

Location: Newbury, London and surrounding areas

Salary: Up to £80,000 (depending on experience)

Reporting to: Director

About the Role

I am currently working with a well-established mechanical building services contractor specialising in the design, installation and maintenance of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, plumbing and associated mechanical systems, who are looking to recruit an experienced Design Manager to join their growing team.

The business delivers projects across a range of commercial sectors, including healthcare, offices, laboratories and life sciences, providing innovative engineering solutions that ensure buildings operate safely, efficiently and reliably.

The company undertakes projects from initial concept and design development through to installation, commissioning and final handover. Its work requires close coordination with clients, consultants, main contractors and specialist subcontractors to deliver high-quality, energy-efficient mechanical services within agreed budgets and timescales.

The Design Manager will take responsibility for leading and managing the mechanical design function, overseeing the development, coordination and delivery of mechanical building services designs across multiple projects. The successful candidate will ensure that all designs meet client requirements, technical specifications, regulatory standards and commercial objectives, whilst maintaining high standards of quality, efficiency and technical compliance.

Working closely with the Director, project managers, design engineers and external stakeholders, the Mechanical Design Manager will provide technical leadership, manage design resources and ensure projects progress efficiently from initial concept through to installation, commissioning and final handover.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the mechanical design function and oversee design delivery across multiple projects.
• Manage, mentor and provide technical guidance to the design engineering team.
• Oversee mechanical designs, drawings, calculations and technical specifications.
• Review and approve designs to ensure quality, accuracy and compliance.
• Manage design programmes, resources and workloads to meet project deadlines.
• Coordinate design activities with clients, consultants, contractors and other engineering disciplines.
• Lead design reviews and resolve technical issues.
• Oversee technical submittals, plant selections and equipment specifications.
• Provide technical support to project managers and site teams throughout project delivery.
• Ensure designs are commercially viable, energy-efficient and suitable for installation.
• Identify opportunities for value engineering and design improvements.
• Monitor design progress, manage changes and report to the Director.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations and health and safety requirements.
• Manage design risks and ensure appropriate design risk assessments are undertaken.
• Establish and maintain design quality procedures, standards and best practices.
• Report directly to the Director on design performance, project progress, resource requirements and technical matters.
• Oversee design delivery across numerous concurrent projects, with project values of up to £1.5m.

Requirements

• Significant experience in mechanical building services design, ideally within a senior or management position.
• Proven experience managing design teams and overseeing multiple projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of HVAC, heating, ventilation, air conditioning and plumbing systems.
• Experience reviewing and approving mechanical designs, drawings and calculations.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit MEP or similar design software.
• Good understanding of British Standards, building regulations and CIBSE guidance.
• Strong leadership, communication and organisational skills.
• Good commercial awareness and understanding of project delivery.
• Relevant engineering qualification (HNC, HND or Degree) desirable.