Technical Director Rail Mechanical Building Service

WSP; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working policy

Thrive programme

Gymflex scheme

Disability Confident approach

Job summary

WSP in the United Kingdom is seeking a Technical Director for Rail Mechanical Building Services. The role leads technical governance, supports major rail projects, and drives innovation while ensuring safety and quality across the discipline.

Based in the UK with travel as required, the role reports to the UK Rail MEP Service Lead and focuses on growth, capability, and delivering value to clients and projects across the rail sector.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) with a recognised professional institution.
• Recognised technical leader within the UK rail and Mechanical building services sector.
• Significant experience leading, producing, reviewing, and assuring designs within the discipline.
• Extensive experience across the full design process including feasibility, outline, and detailed design stages.
• Knowledge of Network Rail, TfL, and London Underground standards, requirements and processes.
• Experience preparing technical reports, specifications, calculations, implementation plans, contract documentation, and resource estimates.
• Practical understanding of construction methods and installation practices.
• Up-to-date knowledge of emerging technologies, industry practices, and technical standards.

Responsibilities

• Technical leadership and governance across the discipline.
• Technical authority within the discipline.
• Ensuring quality and consistency of technical outputs.
• Leading technical input on complex/high-profile projects.
• Developing technical talent.
• Promoting innovation and best practice.
• Delivering safety leadership through CDM and CSM compliance.
• Supporting clients, project teams, and business leadership.
• Champion decarbonisation, Net-zero and Whole-Life carbon approaches.
• Raising the organisation's profile within the industry.

Skills

Technical leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Commercial awareness

Education

Bachelor/Master in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Job description

Technical Director Rail Mechanical Building Service

• London, United Kingdom
• Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom

Job Description

What if you could shape a career as unique as you?

At WSP, you can always find opportunities to grow and do what matters to you. Make the most of our global reach to discover new challenges and opportunities to work with diverse, talented individuals who will help you expand your horizons.

As part of WSP, you will have the opportunity to shape some of the most exciting and prestigious projects in the world. WSP is currently involved in numerous HS2, Network Rail, Transport for London, and other national and international projects which will reshape the landscape of the rail industry and leave a legacy for the century to come.

A little about your role…

This TDL role provides technical leadership, governance, and assurance across the Rail business in the Mechanical Building Services discipline, reporting to the UK Rail MEP Service Lead. This is a senior leadership position, the role is accountable for maintaining and enhancing technical excellence, ensuring the effective deployment of technical capability, and supporting the strategic growth of the Mechanical Building Services discipline across the Rail business.

The successful candidate will be an influential and respected technical leader with strong engineering judgement, a passion for innovation, and industry leading knowledge of the discipline in and around the rail sector. They will possess excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, strong commercial awareness, and a collaborative approach, demonstrating accountability, professionalism, with a commitment to continuous improvement, quality, safety, and technical excellence.

This is a varied and challenging role including the following:

Technical leadership and governance across the discipline.

Technical authority within the discipline.

Ensuring quality and consistency of technical outputs.

Leading technical input on complex/high-profile projects.

Developing technical talent.

Promoting innovation and best practice.

A focal point for technical expertise.

Delivering safety leadership through Safe by Design, CDM and CSM compliance.

Supporting clients, project teams, and business leadership.

Champion decarbonisation, Net-zero and Whole-Life carbon approaches.

Raising the organisation's profile within the industry.

Accountable for the consistent technical quality of services delivered.

Compliance and quality.

Technically robust engineering solutions.

Technical assurance.

Application of best practice.

Developing technical capability aligned with current and future business needs.

Providing strategic technical leadership.

Supporting business growth through.

Knowledge leadership.

Bid support, and market development.

Expert technical guidance and support to projects and clients.

The role ensures effective integration with wider railway systems and infrastructure disciplines while maintaining an up-to-date understanding of relevant design tools, software, and industry practices.

What we would want you to demonstrate…

• Degree qualified in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A Chartered Engineer (CEng) with a recognised professional institution.
• A recognised technical leader within the UK rail and Mechanical building services sector.
• Significant experience leading, producing, reviewing, and assuring designs within the discipline.
• Extensive experience across the full design process including feasibility, outline, and detailed design stages, and an understanding of Mechanical building services systems throughout the asset lifecycle.
• Detailed knowledge of Network Rail, Transport for London (TfL), and London Underground (LUL) standards, requirements and processes.
• Wide experience of preparing technical reports, specifications, calculations, implementation plans, contract documentation, and resource estimates.
• Practical understanding of construction methods and relevant installation practices.
• Detailed knowledge of Mechanical building services engineering and associated railway infrastructure systems.
• Deep understanding of multidisciplinary interfaces and railway operational requirements.
• Experience coordinating with other rail systems disciplines and stakeholders.
• Ability to develop innovative and practical engineering solutions to complex technical challenges.
• Up-to-date knowledge of emerging technologies, industry practices, and technical standards.

Direct Reports: Discipline Engineers, Principal Engineers and Technical Specialists (as applicable)
Location: UK (with travel as required)
Sector: Rail Infrastructure / Transportation Engineering

Imagine a better future for you and a better future for us all.

Work on landmark projects around the world and embrace opportunities to make an even bigger impact in the communities you care about. What if you could do the best work of your life and create a legacy for yourself?

#LI-MA1

About Us

We are one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Our passionate people are united by the common purpose of creating positive, long-lasting impacts on the communities we serve through a culture of innovation, integrity, and inclusion. With over 11,000 professionals across the UK and Ireland, we are dedicated to our local communities and propelled by international brainpower.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

Work-life balance

At WSP, we understand that work is just one aspect of your life. It’s important to make time for you, your family, friends, interests and your community.

Our hybrid working policy offers the flexibility to work from home two days a week, while also providing opportunities to collaborate in our modern offices across the UK.

Inclusivity & Belonging

We welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and experiences. We enable rewarding careers by encouraging people to bring their whole and authentic selves to work so that our work represents the fullest spectrum of society. We celebrate integrity and treat people with respect, supporting each other and embracing a culture of inclusion and belonging at WSP. We have our employee resource groups bring together employees and allies with different backgrounds to promote a culture of inclusivity.

We are committed to supporting our people, giving you the tools to make improvements to your health and wellbeing through our Thrive programme.

Our Virtual GP service gives you access to an NHS or Irish Medical Council GP at a time and place that suits you – giving you peace of mind and quick access to medical advice when you need it most. We also provide reasonable workplace adjustments for those in need. Additionally, you can benefit from the Gymflex scheme, which offers up to 40% off annual gym memberships through our WSP flexible benefits program, as well as a comprehensive menopause support package.

Flex your time

To enhance work-life balance, WSP offers the “WSP My Hour,” allowing you to take one hour each day for personal activities, with the flexibility to make up the time earlier or later that day.

We also provide part-time and flexible working arrangements, the option to purchase additional leave, and the ability to use your bank holiday entitlement to suit you.

We understand the importance of development and training to you. That’s why we foster a supportive environment that invests in your growth, whether through training, mentoring, or Chartership.

#WeAreWSP

Here at WSP we positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy or maternity/paternity. As a Disability Confident leader, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria, please let us know if you require any workplace adjustments in support of your application.