Principal mechanical design engineer

Principal Mechanical Design Engineer
Location: Derby | Agile / Hybrid Working
Salary: Competitive + Bonus + Excellent Benefits

Lead Mechanical Design on Complex, Low-Carbon Building Projects
This is a key hire within a growing building services consultancy, offering the opportunity to take ownership of mechanical design delivery across technically challenging, multi-sector projects.
You will operate as a project leader and technical authority, influencing design standards, mentoring engineers, and working directly with clients across the full project lifecycle.
With a strong pipeline of sustainable, design-led projects, this role offers both technical depth and clear progression into senior leadership.

What’s on Offer

• Clear progression pathway into senior leadership
• Agile / flexible working model
• Generous annual leave (with buy/sell options)
• Enhanced family leave policies
• Cycle to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Exposure to technically challenging, sustainability-focused projects
• Regular team, social, and charitable initiatives

The Role

• Lead mechanical design delivery across projects, from concept through to completion
• Act as Project Leader, managing design coordination and client interaction
• Produce and oversee calculations, specifications, and detailed design outputs
• Drive technical excellence within the team, mentoring junior engineers
• Contribute to low-carbon and sustainable design strategies, including renewable integration
• Attend and lead client and design team meetings, influencing key decisions
• Support ongoing client relationships and repeat business development

About You
Essential:

• Degree (or HNC/HND with experience) in Mechanical or Building Services Engineering
• Proven experience in mechanical design within building services consultancy
• Strong knowledge of HVAC systems, building regulations, and British/European standards
• Experience using design tools such as Revit, Amtech, Relux/Dialux
• Ability to lead projects and coordinate within multi-disciplinary MEP teams
• Strong communication skills with client-facing experience

Desirable:

• Working towards or achieved Chartered status (CIBSE/IET)
• Experience across sectors such as healthcare (HTMs), commercial, or residential
• Knowledge of BREEAM and sustainable building design principles
• Understanding of renewable technologies and embedded generation systems
• Broad awareness of electrical systems to support multidisciplinary collaboration

The Opportunity

• Step into a Principal-level role with real project ownership and influence
• Work on diverse, technically complex projects across multiple sectors
• Play a key role in delivering low-carbon and net-zero building solutions
• Develop into a senior leadership or client-facing strategic role
• Join a consultancy where engineers have autonomy and visibility across projects

The Company
A well-established, multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy delivering mechanical, electrical, and low-carbon design solutions across the UK and internationally. With a strong reputation for technical quality, collaboration, and sustainable design, the business works across sectors including healthcare, education, residential, commercial, and industrial.
Engineers here benefit from high levels of autonomy, a supportive culture, and genuine career development opportunities within a growing organisation.

Apply
If you are a Mechanical Design Engineer ready to step into a Principal-level role with greater ownership, influence, and progression, apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion.