SENIOR ASSOCIATE MECHANICAL ENGINEER (3 Positions)
Position 1: Location: Cambridge, UK
Position 2: Location: Leeds, UK
Position 3: Location: Oxford, UK
All 3 positions: Location type: Hybrid
All 3 positions: Role type: Permanent
All 3 positions: £63,000-£79,500 + £5,500 Allowance & Travel Allowance
JOB DESCRIPTION
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Senior Associate Mechanical Engineer supporting major projects across technically complex sectors. You’ll play a leading role in shaping solutions, guiding multidisciplinary teams, and strengthening long-term client partnerships. Strong technical capability and a culture that encourages innovation, flexibility and continuous development. As a Senior Associate, you’ll lead key projects, drive quality and efficiency, and play a central part in team growth.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING
Acting as a key client-facing lead on major projects and representing the team at meetings. Developing strategic design concepts and ensuring compliance with brief and standards.
Taking ownership of technical delivery, design quality and project outcomes.
Providing leadership, mentoring and day-to-day guidance to junior and mid-level engineers. Supporting business development, including bids, proposals and relationship-building.
Overseeing project finances, monitoring resources, and managing delivery risks.
Encouraging innovation, new ways of working and knowledge sharing across the team.
ABOUT YOU
Extensive experience in Mechanical Engineering with a strong consultancy background.
Excellent understanding of HVAC and all key mechanical services.
Confident operating in multidisciplinary teams and in front of clients.
Strong communication, leadership and influencing skills.
Proficient with relevant design tools (Revit, AutoCAD etc.).
Familiar with British Standards and wider building services disciplines.
Working on major projects across high-profile and technically demanding sectors. This role is ideal for a senior leader who enjoys driving project strategy, nurturing client relationships, and developing high-performing engineering teams. As a Senior Associate, you’ll take ownership of large-scale design delivery, support business growth, and play a central role in shaping the team's technical excellence.
Leading high-value projects and managing client expectations throughout delivery.
Creating initial technical concepts and ensuring all designs meet required standards.
Taking responsibility for technical accuracy, delivery quality and team performance.
Coaching and developing junior staff, supporting their technical and professional growth.
Contributing to bids and promoting the full range of mechanical engineering services.
Managing project budgets, monitoring resources and reporting to senior leadership.
Seeking opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
A high-impact senior leadership opportunity for an experienced Senior Associate Mechanical Engineer to direct major projects and influence technical strategy at a regional level. This role suits someone ready to steer complex programmes, shape engineering direction, and act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Set and lead mechanical design strategy for major programmes.
Act as a senior client partner – presenting solutions, influencing decisions, and guiding project direction.
Manage delivery across multi-disciplinary teams with accountability for quality, risk, and commercial performance.
Coach associates, seniors, and juniors to strengthen technical capability.
Oversee resources, fee performance, and project governance.
Drive innovation, modern methods, and competitive technical advantage.
Represent engineering direction within the project team and wider stakeholders.
Apply via LinkedIn or email: Admin@karafossearch.com
Whatsapp message: +27 64 765 9186
All enquiries are handled with discretion and care.