Principal Mechanical Building Services Engineer

Location/s: Glasgow, Altrincham, Bristol, Southampton, Tadley, London; UK

Recruiter contact: Cassidy Browne

Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices.

We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve. Our people power our performance – we succeed when they do. With countless opportunities to collaborate, learn, and grow, the possibilities for excellence are as varied as every individual.

Whether you want to grow as a subject matter expert or broaden your experience with roles across our international community, you’re surrounded by global specialists who want to combine their expertise and champion you to be your best. As a proudly employee-owned business, we benefit our clients, our communities, and each other, investing in creating the right space for everyone to feel empowered, included, and valued. Whatever your ambition, Mott MacDonald is where people come to be brilliant.

About The business unit

The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

Due to new project wins and continued growth, we are recruiting Mechanical Building Services Engineers to join our teams across the UK. You’ll have the opportunity to work on some of the most exciting projects in the industry, there’s never been a better time to join us!

Overview Of The Role

We’re looking for Principal Building Services Engineers to join our Nuclear, Defence and Civil division. This role offers an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of innovative projects across the defence, nuclear pharmacology research and nuclear new-build industries. It combines technical leadership with strategic project responsibilities. As part of our growing team, you will contribute to solutions for high-profile engineering challenges while developing your career within an organisation committed to supporting your professional growth.

We know there’s no such thing as the ‘perfect’ candidate. If you meet around 75% of the criteria below, we’d love to hear from you.

Key responsibilities and duties include:

• Lead building services aspects of multi-discipline design projects, from feasibility to detailed design stages, on some of the most interesting and challenging nuclear projects
• Manage and review design drawings, layouts, and schematics, including heating, ventilation, LTHW, chilled water, specialist LEV, and BMS installations
• Review and check / approve design calculations
• Oversee and approve documentation such as assessment/condition reports, survey reports, basis of designs, and procurement specifications
• Guide the delivery of high-quality written work, including functional specifications, basis of design, equipment specifications, and validation and verification plans
• Take responsibility for ensuring compliance with construction (design and management) regulations across multiple projects
• Lead building services aspects in the preparation of bids and project estimates, including equipment and man-hour costs and developing innovative solutions to complex challenges
• Drive project delivery, including resource planning, client engagement, and coordination of technical input
• Manage and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams to support their growth and ensure project success
• Act as the primary point of contact for clients, ensuring excellent collaboration and delivery of client needs
• Chair and present at internal and external stakeholder meetings, representing the business at a senior level

Candidate specification

What you'll bring:

• Degree in Building Services, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering or equivalent
• Chartered status with the IMechE, CIBSE or other relevant professional body
• Experience in the delivery of written work, e.g. functional Specifications, Basis of Design, Equipment Specifications and Validation and Verification plans
• Demonstrable experience within a highly regulated environment (such as Nuclear, Health and Life Sciences, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical or Rail experience)
• Broad knowledge of industry standards, legislation, and engineering principles, including knowledge of CIBSE guidelines and standards
• Strong commercial awareness, with experience in FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) projects
• Capability to manage and prioritise multiple projects
• Client-facing experience, with the ability to maintain and build strong client relationships
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to engage effectively with clients and stakeholders
• Commitment to continuous professional development and staying abreast of industry advancements

This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of the Nuclear Building Services working within multidisciplinary teams, delivering impactful projects for some of the industry’s most prominent clients.

Please be advised that offers for this role are conditional upon obtaining the appropriate level of Security Clearance.

UK Immigration

Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is as a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.

Agile working

At Mott MacDonald, we believe it makes business sense for you and your manager to choose how you can work most effectively to meet your client, team, and personal commitments. We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces your well-being, flexibility, and trust.

Equality, diversity, and inclusion

We put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.

AI Usage

At Mott MacDonald, we see the value AI can bring, but we take a people-first approach to hiring. While AI tools can help candidates prepare and build confidence, every application and hiring decision is reviewed by our recruitment and hiring teams. We encourage the responsible use of AI while ensuring we get to know the real person behind the application.

Accessibility

We want you to feel supported and able to perform at your best throughout our recruitment process. If there is anything we can do to make applying or interviewing with us more accessible, please contact us at View email address on unitedkingdom.jobradars.com and we'll be happy to discuss how we can help.

We offer some fantastic benefits including

Financial wellbeing

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.

Employee Ownership

• Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
• Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses.
• As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
• Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
• For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.

Health and wellbeing

• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.

Lifestyle

• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• 10 days additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.

Enhanced family and carers leave

• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• We offer policies and dedicated support to help military families balance service life with career and wellbeing.

Learning and development

• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.

Networks, communities, and social outcomes

• Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities.
• We are proud signatories of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holders in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, supported by our dedicated internal Armed Forces Network.
• Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.

Apply now, or for more information about our application process, click here.

Location(s):

Altrincham, GB Bristol, GB Glasgow, GB Tadley, GB Southampton, GB London, GB

Contract Type: Permanent

Work Pattern: Full Time

Market: Energy

Discipline: Building services

Job Ref: 17639

Recruiter Contact: Cassidy Browne