Senior Design Manager - Mechanical - High Containment Laboratories

Laing O'Rourke; Dartford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction company is seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Manager for a landmark £900M Life Sciences facility. This role involves leading the design and ensuring compliance, while championing innovation in digital engineering and sustainability, and offers the chance to influence a vital project shaping the UK's science infrastructure.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical building services design.
• Experience with high containment labs (CL3-CL4) is highly advantageous.
• Familiarity with compliance checks for HSE, Home Office, BSA.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design development from RIBA Stage 2 onwards.
• Collaborate with technical teams, design consultants, and supply chain partners.
• Ensure design assurance, programme alignment, and risk management across packages.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Degree in Building Services / Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Senior Design Manager – Mechanical – High Containment Laboratories (6119)

Location: LondonDesign Partner Offices (Initial 2-Year PCSA)

Project: £900M Flagship Life Sciences Scheme

Are you ready to lead mechanical design for one of the UK's most high-profile Life Sciences developments?

At Laing O'Rourke, we're looking for a Senior Mechanical Design Manager to join our technical leadership team for the pre-construction phase of a landmark £900M Life Sciences facility. Based from our London-based design partners, you'll play a critical role in shaping world-class research and innovation environments.

Why This Role Matters:
As our lead mechanical designer during the critical 2-year PCSA phase, you will:

• Lead the design development from RIBA Stage 2 onwards, focusing on complex HVAC, process systems, and specialist lab requirements.

• Collaborate with client-side technical teams, design consultants, and specialist supply chain partners to deliver a seamless design.

• Ensure design assurance, programme alignment, and risk management across all mechanical packages.

• Champion innovation in digital engineering, MMC, and sustainability.

What You'll Bring:

• Experience with high containment labs (CL3-CL4) is highly advantageous.

• Proven expertise in managing projects with diverse performance requirements, integrating them into a unified design.

• Familiarity with high-assurance projects, particularly in managing compliance checks for HSE, Home Office, BSA (TBC), and internal security standards.

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical building services design, including large-scale or technically complex projects.

• Strong leadership in guiding multi-disciplinary teams through early design and technical assurance phases.

• Degree-qualified in Building Services / Mechanical Engineering (Chartered status preferred).

• Extensive knowledge of regulated environments, such as Life Sciences, Healthcare, or Pharma.

• A proactive communicator, capable of influencing, challenging, and leading teams through collaboration.

What You'll Gain:

• Contribute to a sector-defining project that will transform the UK's science and innovation infrastructure.

• Work alongside industry-leading experts through our unique integrated model.

• Shape a design strategy prioritising safety, performance, sustainability, and digital excellence.

Inclusion at Our Core:
We believe diversity fosters innovation. That's why we are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels they belong, regardless of background, identity, or experience. We encourage applications from all communities and offer flexible and inclusive working arrangements.

This is more than just a design management role – it's an opportunity to lead with purpose, drive innovation, and leave a legacy in a vital sector.

Apply now for a confidential conversation.

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