Principal Mechanical Engineer - Leeds

Tetra Tech Europe; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tetra Tech Europe in Manchester is seeking a Professional Principal Mechanical Building Services Engineer to lead and deliver multiple medium‑complexity projects. You will manage calculations, drawings, specs, and site surveys, while liaising with clients and coordinating with a multidisciplinary team in a busy building services group.

Based in a hybrid Manchester role, you will mentor junior staff, support business development, and contribute to bid writing and fee estimates.

Qualifications

• Accredited Building Services or Mechanical Engineering degree.
• Chartered status desirable or working towards chartership.
• Experience delivering mechanical building services from concept to RIBA 5/6.
• Experience in programme management, progress reporting, fee estimates, bid writing.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver multiple medium‑complexity projects.
• Perform calculations, drawings, specifications, reports, site surveys.
• Provide client liaison and contribute to business development.
• Mentor junior engineers and support workload planning.

Skills

Technical design leadership

Project & team delivery

Client relationship

Digital design coordination

Education

Accredited Building Services or Mechanical Engineering degree

Chartered status desirable

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit MEP

IES

NBS

MS Office

Job description

At Tetra Tech, you’ll play a key role in leading the delivery of mechanical building services projects across a broad range of sectors, helping to strengthen and develop a busy and successful team in Manchester.

Purpose & Scope of the Role

As a Professional Principal Mechanical Building Services Engineer, you will lead and deliver multiple medium‑complexity projects independently, or packages of higher‑complexity projects under the direction of senior colleagues. You will be responsible for all aspects of mechanical engineering consultancy delivery, including calculations, drawings, specifications, reports, site surveys, construction‑stage duties, and client liaison. You will also support business development, manage client relationships, contribute to securing new work, and may take line management responsibility for less experienced staff.

Your Impact in this position

You will have a direct influence on project success, client satisfaction, and team performance. Your leadership will help deliver high‑quality mechanical design solutions, develop strong client relationships, support workload management, and contribute to fee generation, bid activity, and the growth of the wider team.

Core Capabilities

• Technical Mechanical Design Leadership Strong ability to lead mechanical design from concept through to completion, with sound knowledge of calculations, drawings, specifications, and technical reporting.
• Project & Team Delivery Experience managing multiple projects and coordinating workload, resources, and deliverables across a multidisciplinary team.
• Client Relationship & Business Development Ability to manage client relationships, provide advice, support new work opportunities, and contribute to fee estimates and bid writing.
• Digital Design & Coordination Competence in AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit MEP, IES, NBS, and Microsoft packages. Further training can be provided where required.
• Mentoring & Leadership Ability to support, guide, and manage junior to intermediate engineers, with potential line management responsibility.

Skills, Qualifications & Experience

You should hold an accredited Building Services or Mechanical Engineering degree, or equivalent higher qualification. Chartered status, or working towards chartership, is desirable. You should have experience delivering mechanical building services designs across a range of sectors from concept to RIBA stage 5/6, with strong knowledge of technical and legislative requirements, sustainability, and renewable technologies. Experience in programme management, progress reporting, fee estimates, bid writing, and security clearance (or meet the criteria to hold) MOD SC level is required.

Working Environment

This role is based in Manchester within a busy building services team. Hybrid working may be available, subject to business and project needs. Work will involve collaboration with internal and external stakeholders across a range of public and private sector projects.

About Tetra Tech

Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and engineering services working across the full project lifecycle worldwide. We have a wide range of expertise across our teams, providing a global support network with a personalised approach to client relationships to better understand where we can add value. We provide a collaborative environment that supports individual performance, innovation, and creativity.

We support public and private sector clients on local, national, and international projects to deliver sustainable and resilient solutions. Our operations in the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands include more than 6,000 employees who are Leading with Science® to solve our clients’ most complex problems.

In alignment with the Equality Act 2010, we will make reasonable adjustments to support candidates and employees requiring additional arrangements. This could include adaptations to work schedules, training approaches, or the physical workspace. Please inform us if you need any accommodations during the recruitment process or in your day‑to‑day role