Mechanical Engineering Manager - Building Services

James Lewis Recruitment; Basildon; On-site; GBP 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency specializing in engineering is seeking a Mechanical Engineering Manager in Basildon. This role requires over 10 years of leadership experience in mechanical/building-services, overseeing projects across sectors such as residential and commercial. The candidate will lead a high-performing team, ensure design compliance, and foster client relationships, offering a salary of £80,000 plus benefits.

Benefits

Professional development support

Autonomy in shaping engineering processes

Collaborative culture

Qualifications

• 10+ years in a comparable mechanical/building-services leadership role.
• Proven delivery across various sectors: residential, commercial, healthcare, education, and defence.
• Detail-driven and innovative with a passion for coaching.

Responsibilities

• Lead the engineering function and oversee internal teams.
• Own design governance and ensure compliance with codes.
• Deliver quality outputs including specifications and calculations.
• Control information and enforce document QA processes.
• Grow client relationships and represent the business at industry events.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Coaching

Project coordination

Quality assurance

Commercial awareness

Tools

Microsoft 365

Load estimation tools (e.g. Camel)

Sustainability tools (e.g. Green Star / NABERS)

Job description

Overview

Mechanical Engineering Manager (Building Services) — £80,000

We're hiring a Mechanical Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing team delivering complex building-services projects to exacting standards—on brief, on time, and on budget. If you're a hands-on leader who can set the technical bar, coach engineers, and keep programmes and profitability on track, this one's for you.

What you'll do

• Lead the engineering function: set standards, mentor/measured coaching, oversee subcontractors and internal teams, and plan headcount to meet programme.
• Own design governance: ensure designs meet codes, legislation and internal processes; drive safe-by-design across the full lifecycle.
• Deliver quality outputs: specifications, calculations, reports and coordinated documentation ready for internal/external issue.
• Coordinate projects end-to-end: fee proposals/cost plans, pre-start briefings, design/coordination meetings, client liaison, and milestone delivery.
• Control information & QA: enforce document control (QMS), use current standards, track hours vs budget and support PMs on profitability.
• Grow the pipeline: maintain client relationships, support bids/BD and represent the business at industry events.
• Champion H,S,Q & Risk: model best practice, manage risk and ensure a safe workplace for employees and subcontractors.
• Build people & culture: recruit, develop and recognise your team; share knowledge across functions and promote a collaborative, high-standards culture.

About you

• 10+ years in a comparable mechanical/building-services leadership role.
• Proven delivery across residential, commercial, healthcare, education and defence.
• Expert at prioritising, hitting deadlines and safeguarding margin.
• Clear, confident communicator and presenter; strong stakeholder management.
• Proficient with Microsoft 365, load estimation (e.g. Camel), thermal modelling, and sustainability tools (e.g. Green Star / NABERS or equivalent).
• Detail-driven, innovative, with a strong work ethic and a passion for coaching others.

What you'll bring

• A track record of turning complex briefs into compliant, buildable, safe designs.
• The ability to standardise and continuously improve engineering processes.
• Commercial awareness—linking design decisions to programme and profit.
• A collaborative leadership style that raises performance across the team.

What's on offer

• £80,000 salary plus benefits.
• Autonomy to shape the engineering function and processes.
• A supportive culture that backs professional development and progression.

Ready to lead from the front? Send your CV and a brief note on your most relevant projects and team size you've managed. Let's build something excellent