Principal Mechanical Engineer

Parkinson Gray; West Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Parkinson Gray is seeking a Principal Mechanical Building Services Design Engineer to lead HVAC design projects in Leeds. You will manage a small team, own technical delivery, and develop client relationships across leisure, residential and commercial sectors.

The role focuses on energy-efficient, low-carbon solutions, coordinating with architectural and electrical teams, mentoring junior engineers, and driving high-quality engineering outputs from concept through to construction.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in building services consultancy environment.
• Proven experience leading mechanical design on medium to large-scale projects.
• Strong knowledge of UK building services standards, regulations and design guidance.
• Excellent understanding of CIBSE principles and industry best practice.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical building services design from concept to construction.
• Take technical ownership of mechanical design packages; ensure robust, compliant, viable solutions.
• Produce and review calculations, specifications, drawings and reports.
• Coordinate with architectural, structural, electrical, and other disciplines.
• Mentor junior engineers and review work for quality and consistency.
• Support fee proposals, scope definition and technical discussions.

Skills

Leadership

Client facing

Project ownership

Co-ordination skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services

Job description

Our client is one of the leading independent MEP Design & build Contractors in Leeds.

Our client is the largest independent MEP Contractor in the Yorkshire region. With a turnover in excess of £100m, employing over 200 staff

Our Client is a leading provider of construction, infrastructure and property developments in the UK

This is an opportunity to join an engineering business where Electrical, Mechanical, Public Health, Sustainability and BIM sit within the same consultancy. The business has been built around practical engineering and

Our client is one of the leading independent MEP Design & build Contractors in Leeds. With a strong reputation for delivering high-quality mechanical and electrical engineering solutions across the leisure, residential and commercial sectors in particular, the business enjoys an interesting mix of customers including end users, main contractors and property developers.

As the demand of preconstruction design services continues to grow,including a greater dependency on energy and revit modelling, the business is keen to secure the services of a talented and commercially aware Principal Mechanical Building Services Design Engineer to lead HVAC design projects and manage a small team.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise with commercial awareness and the ability to lead projects, develop client relationships and mentor engineers within the team.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced mechanical building services engineer who is looking to take a leading role within an ambitious environment and have a genuine influence on its future growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical building services design of projects from concept through to detailed design and construction.
• Take overall technical responsibility for mechanical design packages, ensuring solutions are technically robust, compliant and commercially viable.
• Produce and review mechanical services calculations, specifications, schematics, drawings and technical reports.
• Design systems including HVAC, heating, cooling, ventilation, domestic water services, public health and associated mechanical building services.
• Develop low-energy and sustainable engineering solutions in line with current industry standards and client requirements.
• Coordinate mechanical designs with architectural, structural, electrical and other building services disciplines.
• Lead design meetings and liaise confidently with clients, architects, contractors and other project stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior and intermediate engineers.
• Review and oversee the work of other engineers and technicians to ensure quality and consistency.
• Manage mechanical design deliverables, programmes and technical resources across projects.
• Support project managers and directors with fee proposals, scope definition and technical/commercial discussions.
• Assist with business development and the development of long‑term client relationships.
• Attend site meetings, inspections and surveys where required.
• Review contractor submissions, technical queries, drawings and commissioning information.
• Ensure designs comply with relevant British Standards, Building Regulations, CIBSE guidance and other applicable legislation.
• Promote best practice, innovation and continuous improvement within the mechanical engineering team.

Technical Requirements

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in mechanical building services design and a strong understanding of the complete design process through to handover.

Experience should include:

• Heating and cooling systems
• Ventilation and air-conditioning
• Domestic water and public health systems
• Mechanical services calculations and equipment selection
• Energy-efficient and low‑carbon building design
• Mechanical specifications
• Technical reporting

Essential Experience & Qualifications

• Significant experience working within a building services consultancy environment.
• Proven experience leading mechanical design on medium to large‑scale projects.
• Ability to take technical ownership of projects and deliverables.
• Strong knowledge of UK building services standards, regulations and design guidance.
• Excellent understanding of CIBSE principles and industry best practice.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary designs.
• Strong communication and client‑facing skills.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of project fees, programmes and resource requirements.
• Ability to lead, develop and mentor other engineers.
• Degree/HND/HNC or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.

Personal Attributes

• Technically confident and highly competent.
• A natural problem solver with a practical approach to engineering.
• Comfortable taking ownership and making decisions.
• Commercially aware and client focused.
• A strong communicator who can build relationships at all levels.
• Organised and able to manage competing priorities.
• Collaborative and willing to support colleagues.
• Passionate about delivering high‑quality engineering solutions.
• Interested in developing people as well as projects.
• Ambitious and motivated to contribute to the growth of the business.