Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

About the Role

We are working with a specialist building consultancy engaged in the conservation, restoration and adaptive reuse of historic and heritage buildings across the UK. With an expanding pipeline of landmark and listed projects — from museums and civic buildings to period-property conversions — they are now seeking a Senior Mechanical Design Engineer with proven heritage/buildings-conservation experience.

This is a fantastic opportunity to lead building services design on architecturally and historically significant projects, working alongside architects, conservation specialists and structural engineers, from feasibility stage through to detailed design and hand-over.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading full MEP design packages for heritage, listed and conservation-sensitive buildings.
• Coordinating with architects and conservation officers to integrate mechanical/electrical systems in a way that preserves historic fabric — without compromising on performance, comfort or compliance.
• Producing compliant engineering drawings and specifications (e.g. heating, ventilation, lighting, power, fire-safety systems) aligned with heritage constraints and UK Building Regulations.
• Managing project delivery: resource planning, budgeting, liaising with contractors and external specialists, maintaining quality and ensuring deadlines are met.
• Conducting site visits, surveying existing services, assessing constraints and identifying requirements to integrate modern systems with minimal impact.
• Providing engineering input for structural, fire-safety or conservation-led aspects when required, working closely with all stakeholders.

Requirements

• Professional experience (8+ years preferred) in mechanical building-services design — with involvement in heritage, historic or listed building projects.
• Strong, demonstrable understanding of the special challenges associated with heritage buildings (limited ceiling heights, structural constraints, preserving heritage fabric, planning/conservation regulations).
• Solid working knowledge of UK-building codes, regulations and best practices for historic or conservation projects.
• Proven competence in producing high-quality engineering drawings, specification documents and design reports.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and project-management skills (able to coordinate across architects, conservation officers, contractors).
• Preferably chartered or charterable (e.g. CEng, IEng, or similar professional recognition), but not mandatory if experience and heritage expertise are strong.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Deliver mechanical building-services design including HVAC, cooling/heating loads, ventilation, hot & cold water services, and plant-sizing.
2. Support feasibility studies, option appraisals and pre-planning design work.
3. Produce detailed mechanical designs, specifications and reports for new-build, refurbishment and fit-out projects.
4. Work closely with electrical, sustainability and utilities teams to produce coordinated MEP solutions.
5. Attend site visits to carry out surveys, design reviews and installation monitoring.
6. Maintain strong communication with clients, architects and contractors, providing clear technical advice and design updates.
7. Contribute to project planning, technical decision-making and multidisciplinary design coordination.

What’s on Offer

The chance to work on high-profile heritage, conservation, and refurbishment projects across the UK — a rewarding mix of historic architecture and modern engineering. Senior-level responsibility and real influence over design decisions and project delivery. Competitive salary and benefits (dependent on experience). Opportunity for professional growth, chartership consideration and specialization in conservation-led engineering. Flexible working arrangements (hybrid options where feasible) and support for continuous development.

If you think this could be for you or someone you know please get in touch today and I would love to be of assistance.