Principal Mechanical Engineer (Building Services)

WSP in the UK & Ireland; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead high‑profile projects within its Heathrow ME P team. You will oversee feasibility, design delivery, and client communications, guiding junior staff and ensuring technical excellence.

The role supports sustainable, net‑zero goals and requires strong leadership and collaboration across disciplines. The position offers a flexible hybrid working model, opportunities to shape major infrastructure, and a focus on delivering client value and KPI

Qualifications

• Senior/lead mechanical engineer capable of leading projects and delivering high‑quality technical outputs.
• Experience in large-scale infrastructure projects and client-facing roles.
• Ability to oversee feasibility studies and production of detailed/performance specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of mechanical work within MEP teams across projects.
• Supervise detailed designs and coordinate junior staff.
• Act as client’s main point of contact for project deliverables and KPI tracking.
• Provide leadership in production of detailed specifications and performance criteria.
• Support business development by promoting capabilities and client relationships.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Leadership

Project management

Client liaison

Feasibility study

Team management

Design review

MEP coordination

Job description

Job Description

What if you could do the kind of work the world needs? At WSP, you can access our global scale, contribute to landmark projects and connect with the brightest minds in your field to do the best work of your life. You can embrace your curiosity in a culture that celebrates new ideas and diverse perspectives. You can experience a world of opportunity and the chance to shape a career as unique as you.

A Little More About Your Role…

• As a principal mechanical engineer you will be taking a leading role in a number of our most prestigious projects.

General

• Work in a joint leadership capacity within a mechanical, electrical and public health (MEP) discipline team providing design and technical advice in a WSP project manager capacity on a wide range of projects.
• Supervise the completion of detailed designs and supervise the work of others in this function
• Consider the feasibility of the project and lead the overall feasibility study
• Take responsibility for and direct others in the production of detailed/performance specification
• Act as the client’s key point of contact and responsible for overall project delivery in terms of client deliverables and internal KPI’s

Business Development

• Provide excellent client care & the opportunities to develop additional business for the team
• Assist with developing the client relationship to promote new commissions
• Promote WSP’s capabilities and expertise in the region

Management

• Take responsibility for and direct others in the production of detailed and performance specification for the discipline subject to review by colleagues prior to issue.
• Development and line management of junior staff.
• Regularly brief the project team, explaining the appointment. Ensure contracts/letters of intent are in place for all projects before work starts
• Maintain project overview & understanding of the team workload & associated resource requirements, and work with the team leaders to ensure resources are fully utilised across your associated projects.
• Hold regular team meetings to discuss resourcing, staff issues, H&S, quality, training & development & all other relevant issues, including UK & Board briefs in support of your Discipline’s Team Leader
• The Heathrow team is a close group of engineers working together in an effective and cooperative team atmosphere with a flexible hybrid working model to working practices. Our team find this a hugely beneficial feature of managing a healthy work life balance
• The Heathrow team are directly involved in mission critical building and infrastructure projects at Europe’s busiest airport.
• We will be looking to you to not only be a client facing representative of WSP, but also to lead an engineering delivery team in providing innovative and sustainable solutions.
• As part of the wider WSP team we will be looking to you to incorporate our philosophies of sustainability, net zero carbon, digital design, modern methods