Senior Mechanical Engineer

Arup; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Sharing

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Income protection

Job summary

Arup is seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical design work packages in Southampton, shaping low-energy strategies for new and existing buildings. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, review technical decisions, and guide junior engineers while delivering high-quality outcomes.

The role emphasizes chartered status or progress toward chartership, strong design and coordination skills, and a focus on sustainable building design with energy efficiency and operational

Qualifications

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering.
• Chartered Engineer status or close to chartership.
• Experience delivering mechanical design across new build, refurbishment and retrofit projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design work packages from feasibility to handover.
• Develop low-energy strategies for heating, cooling, ventilation and plants.
• Lead calculations, system selection, design analysis and technical decisions.
• Coordinate inputs across disciplines (architecture, structure, electrical, etc.).
• Manage models, drawings, reports and specifications to quality and schedule.
• Review work and provide direction to engineers and technicians.
• Plan discipline inputs, forecast time, coordinate resources and support bids.

Skills

Mechanical design

Team leadership

Coordination

Building services

Education

Chartered Engineer status / near chartership

Tools

IES

TAS

EnergyPlus

DesignBuilder

Revit

Job description

Senior Mechanical Engineer - Southampton

Joining Arup

Arup’s purpose, shared values and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world. Arup is an independent, employee‑owned collective of designers, consultants and experts working globally to shape a better world. In Southampton you will join a supportive, collaborative environment with access to UK and international expertise, training and development, and projects where technical quality and positive impact matter.

***Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK at the time of application and for the duration of employment. Any offer made will be subject to satisfactory proof of immigration status.***

Arup have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical design work packages, support project delivery and help develop Southampton’s growing Building Engineering capability. We are looking for a Senior Mechanical Engineer with strong design and coordination skills, who is chartered, close to chartership or able to demonstrate equivalent capability. You will lead mechanical work packages, shape low‑energy strategies for new and existing buildings, support junior colleagues and help strengthen our local capability.

The team

You will join our growing Building Engineering team in Southampton, working with colleagues across the South Coast, the UK and internationally on new build, retrofit and refurbishment projects. The team combines engineering, design and advisory expertise in a collaborative, technically ambitious culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design work packages from feasibility and concept design through to technical design, construction support and handover.
• Develop strategies for heating, cooling, ventilation, domestic water, controls and plant/distribution systems with an emphasis on low‑energy, maintainable solutions.
• Lead calculations, system selection, design analysis and technical decision‑making.
• Coordinate comfort, thermal, energy, carbon and sustainability inputs, including retrofit and operational performance improvement.
• Coordinate mechanical services with architecture, structure, electrical, public health and specialist disciplines.
• Manage models, drawings, reports, specifications and other deliverables to agreed quality, programme and budget.
• Review work by engineers and technicians, providing clear direction and constructive feedback.
• Plan discipline inputs, forecast time, coordinate resources, raise risks early and support bids or client discussions where required.

Is this role right for you?

We are looking to speak to people who:

• We are looking for people comfortable taking responsibility for mechanical design, coordination and delivery in multidisciplinary project environments.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer status, close to chartership or equivalent professional capability.
• Strong practical understanding of mechanical services, including heating, cooling, ventilation, domestic water, controls and plant coordination.
• Experience delivering mechanical design across new build, refurbishment and/or retrofit projects.
• Ability to lead design elements and coordinate small teams on multidisciplinary projects.
• Strong interest in sustainable building design, energy efficiency, carbon reduction, passive design and operational performance.
• Experience using or overseeing modelling tools such as IES, TAS, EnergyPlus or DesignBuilder.
• Good understanding of relevant standards, regulations, CIBSE guidance, health and safety and industry good practice.

Desirable skills and knowledge

Experience leading mechanical teams or discipline work packages.
Experience in retrofit, heat pumps, low‑carbon heat networks, natural ventilation or mixed‑mode buildings.
Experience with TM54, Part L, NABERS UK, operational energy modelling or post‑occupancy evaluation.
Working knowledge of Revit, BIM processes and digital delivery workflows.
Interest in digital tools, automation or coding to improve engineering workflows.
Experience contributing to proposals, fee schedules, bid interviews or client‑facing work winning.
Experience working with contractors through technical design, construction and commissioning.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together. Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts. We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefits to help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross‑cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference.

Discover more about life at Arup at http://www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact Aslam Hussain ([e-mail]) to let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.