MEP Design Manager
Location: Dartford
Salary: Up to £85,000 + package
Reporting to: Operations Directors
Overview
An established and growing engineering consultancy is seeking an experienced MEP Design Manager to lead the delivery of high-quality Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) design solutions across a diverse portfolio of projects.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for managing and developing a small team of design engineers and CAD technicians, ensuring projects are delivered to the highest technical standards while meeting programme and budget requirements.
The successful candidate will play a key role in driving design excellence, supporting project delivery teams, and contributing to business growth through technical leadership and client engagement.
Key Responsibilities
Lead and manage a multi-disciplinary MEP design team, including engineers and CAD technicians.
Oversee the delivery and coordination of mechanical and electrical building services designs across projects of varying size and complexity.
Work closely with Project Managers and operational teams to ensure design solutions align with programme, cost, and client requirements.
Conduct and lead site surveys and scoping visits, producing detailed reports and defining project design scope.
Develop concept, preliminary, and detailed MEP engineering designs within agreed budgets.
Produce and review technical specifications, calculations, and detailed drawings.
Provide technical input during the tendering and bid process, supporting new business opportunities.
Manage the design information register and documentation, ensuring all design deliverables are properly controlled.
Plan and allocate internal design resources and manage subcontracted design support where required.
Take responsibility for design validation and quality assurance, ensuring all issued designs are checked and approved.
Drive value engineering, sustainability initiatives, and efficient design solutions to optimise project outcomes.
Maintain strong communication with senior management regarding design progress, risks, and key decisions.
Skills & Behaviors
* Strong commercial awareness with the ability to balance technical excellence with cost-effective solutions.
* Proactive and solutions-driven with a “can-do” approach to engineering challenges.
* Strong commitment to sustainable design and energy-efficient engineering solutions.
* Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
* Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor and develop junior engineers.
* Confident client-facing professional, able to represent the business at meetings and technical reviews.
* Excellent communication and collaboration skills when working with internal teams and external stakeholders.
Experience & Qualifications
* Degree qualified in Building Services Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline.
* Ideally CIBSE member or working towards Chartered status.
* Minimum 5+ years’ experience in MEP / Building Services design.
* Experience working across commercial, residential, and retail developments.
* Strong knowledge of fit-out, shell & core, and infrastructure design projects.
* Proficiency with industry-standard MEP design software and engineering tools.
* Experience working on large or technically complex projects is highly desirable