Head of MEP Systems

Utopia; United States; Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Utopia is seeking a Head of MEP Systems to lead the MEP design function across its portfolio of luxury residences, resorts and boutique hotels. The role demands delivery of very high-end luxury projects and a proactive stance on risk and design quality from concept through handover.

You will set technical standards, oversee coordination, and guide internal teams and external consultants globally, aligning with site requirements and local codes.

Qualifications

• Requires MEP design leadership experience across large-scale luxury residential and hospitality assets.
• Experience delivering high-end luxury projects from concept through handover.
• Excellent command of English, written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Lead MEP design strategy and technical reviews across projects and stages.
• Establish MEP standards, briefs, deliverable requirements and procedures.
• Guide global MEP team and coordinate resources across projects.
• Review briefs, calculations, drawings, specifications and equipment selections.
• Proactively identify design gaps, risks and coordination issues, driving resolution.

Skills

MEP leadership

Risk management

English proficiency

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical/Electrical/Building Services Engineering

Master's or professional registration advantageous

Tools

Revit

Navisworks

BIM

Job description

The Head of MEP Systems is responsible for leading the MEP design function across Utopia’s portfolio of luxury residences, resorts and boutique hotels. The role requires proven experience delivering very high-end luxury residential and hospitality projects and a proactive approach to identifying risks, resolving issues and improving design quality before problems reach site. The Head of MEP Systems establishes technical standards, oversees design coordination and guides internal teams and external consultants from concept through construction, commissioning and handover.

Responsabilities

• Lead MEP design strategy and technical reviews across projects and design stages.
• Establish and maintain MEP standards, design briefs, deliverable requirements and review procedures.
• Guide the global MEP team and coordinate specialist resources across projects.
• Review project briefs, concepts, calculations, drawings, specifications, schedules and equipment selections.
• Proactively identify design gaps, technical risks and coordination issues, then drive them to resolution with clear owners and deadlines.
• Coordinate MEP systems with architecture, interiors, structure, landscape and specialist equipment.
• Ensure designs are buildable, maintainable, compliant with applicable codes and suited to each project’s location and operating requirements.
• Protect the comfort, reliability, energy and water performance, and guest experience expected in very high-end projects.
• Lead technical reviews and value engineering, balancing cost and programme with quality and long-term performance.
• Coordinate with local engineers and consultants on authority requirements and statutory submissions.
• Support procurement and delivery teams with tender reviews, technical clarifications and proposed substitutions.
• Provide technical oversight during construction, inspections, commissioning, integrated systems testing and handover.
• Track design decisions, changes, risks and unresolved actions, escalating material issues promptly.
• Develop reusable standards, specifications, technical libraries and lessons learned across the portfolio.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Building Services Engineering; a relevant master’s degree or professional registration is an advantage.
• Significant MEP design experience, including leadership of teams, consultants or multidisciplinary packages.
• Proven experience delivering very high-end luxury residential and hospitality projects, such as private villas, luxury resorts and boutique hotels.
• Experience overseeing MEP design from concept through construction, commissioning or handover.
• Strong knowledge of integrated HVAC, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and building systems.
• Experience coordinating international project teams and local consultants.
• Familiarity with Revit, Navisworks, BIM coordination and relevant engineering design tools.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Preferred Competencies
• Proactive, hands‑on leadership, with a track record of anticipating issues and driving solutions through to completion.
• Strong technical judgement and the ability to manage priorities across multiple projects.
• Excellent communication, coordination and decision‑making skills.
• Ability to review and challenge technical documents and explain complex issues clearly.
• Practical approach to design risk, buildability, maintenance and value engineering.
• Experience in tropical, coastal or remote locations.
• Spanish or Portuguese language skills.

• Opportunity to build and shape the People function of an international luxury hospitality business.
• Direct involvement in strategic organisational decisions and meaningful transformation.
• High autonomy, ownership, and visibility with senior leadership.
• International exposure, remote work, and occasional travel.
• Entrepreneurial environment with a lean, collaborative, multidisciplinary team.