Senior / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer

Pertemps; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consultancy in building services is seeking a Senior / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead HVAC and sustainable design projects in Oxford. Responsibilities include leading design, overseeing technical documentation, and mentoring junior engineers. The ideal candidate has over 6 years of experience in consultancy, a degree in Mechanical Engineering, and proficiency in design software like Revit and AutoCAD. This role offers a competitive salary of £55,000–£70,000, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Flexible/hybrid working

25+ days holiday

Private healthcare

Cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• 6+ years of consultancy experience in mechanical building services design.
• Strong experience in education, healthcare, commercial, or heritage projects.
• Chartered (CEng/MCIBSE) or working toward chartership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of building services systems, including HVAC.
• Oversee production of technical documentation and specifications.
• Collaborate with clients and architects for energy-efficient solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers and manage design coordination.

Skills

Mechanical Engineering

Building Services

Communication

Project Management

AutoCAD

Revit

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services

Tools

IES

Hevacomp

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a Senior / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to join a well-established, independent building services consultancy in Oxford. This senior role offers the opportunity to lead mechanical design projects, influence sustainable strategies, and mentor junior engineers across heritage, education, healthcare, and commercial sectors. The Senior / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer will work on technically complex, low‑carbon projects, delivering HVAC, hot/cold water, and energy‑efficient solutions from RIBA Stage 2 through to handover.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design of building services systems, including HVAC, hot/cold water, and sustainable strategies
• Oversee production of technical documentation, drawings (AutoCAD/Revit), and specifications
• Collaborate with clients, architects, and internal teams to deliver energy‑efficient and technically robust solutions
• Apply building physics and performance analysis where relevant to inform design decisions
• Attend site visits, manage design coordination, and support construction activities
• Mentor junior engineers, fostering knowledge sharing and technical growth
• At Principal level: influence fee proposals, resourcing, and client development
• Ensure compliance with UK regulations, CIBSE standards, and low‑carbon design principles

Candidate Profile

• Degree‑qualified in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services
• 6+ years of consultancy experience delivering mechanical building services design
• Strong experience across education, healthcare, commercial, or heritage projects
• Proficient in Revit, AutoCAD, IES, Hevacomp, or similar design software
• Excellent communication, coordination, and project management skills
• Chartered (CEng/MCIBSE) or working toward chartership preferred
• Proactive, detail‑oriented, and committed to sustainable, high‑quality design

Why Join Us

• Competitive salary: £55,000–£70,000 (DOE)
• Flexible/hybrid working, 25+ days holiday, private healthcare, cycle‑to‑work scheme
• Exposure to varied, high‑profile projects including listed buildings and modern low‑energy campuses
• Support for professional growth: chartership, leadership development, and career progression to Associate and beyond
• Collaborative team culture with low staff turnover and a focus on technical excellence

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer to lead impactful, sustainable projects. Join us as a Senior / Principal Mechanical Design Engineer and shape low‑carbon, heritage‑focused solutions while advancing your career in a supportive, technically driven environment.