Principal Mechanical Engineer

Hoare Lea; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9‑day fortnight

Private medical cover

Electric vehicle salary sacrifice

Stock options

25 days annual leave

Flexible and hybrid working

Job summary

Hoare Lea is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design of complex building services projects from inception to completion. Based in Bournemouth or Reading, you will guide the mechanical team, coordinate with disciplines, and drive technically excellent, commercially aware delivery.

You will engage with clients, manage risks, and contribute to future business growth while supporting a flexible and hybrid working culture.

Qualifications

• Chartered status or equivalent professional recognition.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical/building services design and relevant regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design delivery for significant and complex building services schemes.
• Coordinate with other disciplines and external consultants.
• Represent Hoare Lea at client meetings and promote services.
• Manage internal project teams and monitor progress against programme.

Education

Chartered Engineer

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Job description

Bournemouth - Bournemouth, BH22 9UN GB (Primary)
Reading - Reading, GB-RDG RG1 1LX GB

Travel

Job Type

Full Time

Category

Mechanical Engineering

Job Description

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Bournemouth or Reading

About us

Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.

We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.

We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.

About the role

We have an opportunity for aPrincipal Mechanical Engineerto play a key role in delivering high‑quality, sustainable mechanical engineering solutions across multiple projects in the built environment.

You will join our Mechanical team based in either ourBournemouth or Readingoffice.

With more than 45 years’ presence on the south coast —beginning in Bournemouth—we’ve developed deep commercial-sector expertise and long-standing relationships locally and beyond.

Reading is a thriving town experiencing rapid growth across many sectors, and our teams are delivering transformational, sustainable projects—including Station Hill and other major schemes that are shaping the region.

We’re actively connecting with likeminded businesses and professionals in the area; if this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch or join us for a coffee and a conversation.

We are a recognised leader inbuilt environment, shaping some of the most ambitious and technically demanding projects across theresidential, hospitality, leisure, commercial, andcomplex engineering sectors.

Our work spans cutting edgehealthcare and research facilities, high-performance data centres, critical infrastructureandstate-of-the-art manufacturing and technology environmentsprojects that push boundaries and deliver real-world impact.

Driven by a commitment to excellence, we combine innovation, technical expertise, and practical delivery to create solutions that are not only robust and reliable, but forward-thinking and sustainable. Our teams work at the forefront of the industry, collaborating with leading clients across thepublic and private sectors, bothlocally and internationally.

Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high-performing work culture.

You will take the lead design role on significant and complex building services projects, owning the design delivery from inception to completion. As the technical lead, you will manage and prioritise the internal Hoare Lea delivery team, coordinate with other disciplines and external consultants, and represent Hoare Lea at client and project meetings. You will ensure technically excellent, commercially aware and timely delivery while developing client relationships that support future business growth.

In this key and varied role, you can expect to:

• Lead the design delivery for significant and complex schemes, taking responsibility for achieving design objectives and technical quality.
• Define and agree the design brief with clients and manage client and consultant relationships professionally.
• Represent Hoare Lea at project meetings and actively promote our services to support client projects and future business.
• Manage, prioritise and motivate the internal project team (including specialist groups); host and chair internal project meetings.
• Delegate, review and check work undertaken by others; contribute to the professional development of team members.
• Monitor project expenditure, costs and resource requirements; report regularly to the team leader.
• Identify, highlight and manage project and commercial risks, including awareness of consultant appointment conditions and procurement impacts.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality standards, technical accuracy and programme deadlines.
• Share technical knowledge across the business and work collaboratively with other professionals to deliver coordinated building designs.
• Communicate openly and effectively at all levels internally and externally.

About you

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Qualified and recognised in the industry, preferably with Chartered status.
• Proven, in‑depth technical knowledge in mechanical/building services design and applied experience of relevant regulations and design guides.
• Strong understanding of complementary disciplines and experience leading integrated design teams.
• Excellent client‑facing skills with ability to manage difficult situations calmly and professionally.
• Demonstrable experience leading design teams on complex projects and delivering to demanding timescales.
• Commercial awareness: experience monitoring project costs, identifying commercial risks and contributing to profitable delivery.
• Strong organisational and planning skills with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple demands.
• Confident communicator — excellent written and spoken English — with experience representing a consultancy externally.
• IT literate with proficiency in industry software (Revit, AutoCAD).
• Committed to continuous professional development and supporting the career growth of others.

Adjustments and accommodations

If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners who assist us when required. We do not acknowledge speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.

• 9‑day fortnight scheme
• varied social and networking events
• Professional and technical development schemes
• private medical cover
• an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• stock options
• 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service)
• flexible and hybrid working