Senior Technical Manager - MEP/Building Services

Sphere Solutions; West of England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Sphere Solutions seeks a Senior Technical Manager to lead the technical delivery of major MEP/building services projects in the UK. You will steer pre-construction and design development, drive technical risk management, and coordinate cross-disciplinary teams to ensure compliant, design-led outcomes.

The role requires strong BIM, ISO 19650 and Building Regulations knowledge, plus a track record of cost-effective technical leadership on complex projects.

Qualifications

• A degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering is required.
• Professional registration with a recognised engineering institution is preferred.
• Significant experience in building services engineering and technical management is essential.

Responsibilities

• Take technical responsibility for MEP projects during pre-construction and design development.
• Develop and manage the project technical strategy and deliverables plan.
• Lead technical gateway reviews and design review processes.
• Identify, manage and mitigate design and technical risks.
• Ensure designs are properly coordinated, integrated and communicated.
• Lead technical aspects of bids, clarifications, derogations and technical settlements.
• Coordinate specialist designers, subcontractors and technical specialists.
• Manage design development, technical change and value engineering.
• Set and manage consultant scopes, deliverables and fees.
• Ensure technical deliverables align with procurement and construction requirements.
• Work closely with project managers, engineers, commercial teams and design consultants.
• Ensure compliance with Building Regulations, the Building Safety Act, CDM and relevant standards.
• Assess the commercial impact of technical decisions and changes.
• Ensure employers’ requirements and technical contractor proposals are robust.
• Support BIM and digital engineering requirements, including ISO 19650.
• Capture and implement lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle.
• Contribute to project sustainability and carbon reduction objectives.
• Support sustainability accreditations including BREEAM, WELL and NABERS.
• Provide technical reporting to senior leadership and project stakeholders.
• Lead and develop Technical Managers and junior team members.

Skills

MEP engineering

Technical management

BIM / ISO 19650

Design coordination

Risk management

Client/consultant coordination

Commercial awareness

Contractual awareness

Education

BEng/MEng Building Services

MSc Building Services

Professional registration (CIBSE/IET/IMechE)

Tools

BIM

3D coordination

BSRIA design frameworks

ISO 19650

Job description

Senior Technical Manager – MEP / Building Services

Location: UK / Project Based

Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience

Type: Permanent

The Opportunity

I’m recruiting for a major UK engineering and building services organisation with a strong pipeline of technically complex projects across a range of sectors.

This is an opportunity for an experienced Senior Technical Manager to take responsibility for the technical and design management of significant MEP projects, particularly through pre-construction and design development.

The role will focus on setting projects up for successful delivery, managing technical risk, coordinating design and ensuring projects are properly de-risked before reaching site.

Key Responsibilities

• Take technical responsibility for MEP projects during pre-construction and design development.
• Develop and manage the project technical strategy and deliverables plan.
• Lead technical gateway reviews and design review processes.
• Identify, manage and mitigate design and technical risks.
• Ensure designs are properly coordinated, integrated and communicated.
• Lead technical aspects of bids, clarifications, derogations and technical settlements.
• Coordinate specialist designers, subcontractors and technical specialists.
• Manage design development, technical change and value engineering.
• Set and manage consultant scopes, deliverables and fees.
• Ensure technical deliverables align with procurement and construction requirements.
• Work closely with project managers, engineers, commercial teams and design consultants.
• Ensure compliance with Building Regulations, the Building Safety Act, CDM and relevant standards.
• Assess the commercial impact of technical decisions and changes.
• Ensure employers’ requirements and technical contractor proposals are robust.
• Support BIM and digital engineering requirements, including ISO 19650.
• Capture and implement lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle.
• Contribute to project sustainability and carbon reduction objectives.
• Support sustainability accreditations including BREEAM, WELL and NABERS.
• Provide technical reporting to senior leadership and project stakeholders.
• Lead and develop Technical Managers and junior team members.

About You

• A BEng, MEng, MSc or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering.
• Significant experience within building services engineering and technical management.
• Experience managing complex MEP projects through pre-construction and design development.
• Strong knowledge of design coordination, technical risk and project de-risking.
• Experience working with clients, consultants, contractors and specialist supply chain.
• Knowledge of CDM, Building Regulations and the Building Safety Act, along with strong commercial and contractual awareness.
• Experience with BIM, digital engineering and 3D coordination & Knowledge of RIBA and BSRIA design frameworks.
• Professional registration with CIBSE, IET, IMechE or a related institution, or working towards chartership.
• Experience within healthcare, commercial, leisure, MOD/MOJ or other complex environments would be advantageous.
• Experience managing projects with MEP values of approximately £5m–£50m.

The Opportunity

This is a senior position with a well-established organisation and a significant long-term project pipeline.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence projects from an early stage, work alongside experienced technical and project teams and play a key role in improving design, buildability and delivery outcomes.