Associate or Senior Associate – Building Physics
London
About us
Hoare Lea is a human-centric and planet-conscious engineering consultancy. We offer intelligent and sustainable solutions to complex design challenges for the built environment throughout the UK and further afield.
We provide a wide range of engineering and consultancy services, including acoustics, air quality, building services (MEP), fire, lighting, security and sustainability to name but a few. Together, our highly skilled teams use technical expertise and problem-solving skills to bring buildings to life. We ensure that whatever the building, its design is outstanding, and its operations meet the needs of the communities it serves.
We are as committed to providing an environment where everyone can realise their unique potential. So, in joining Hoare Lea, you will experience a business that enriches your knowledge, supports your wellbeing, and welcomes your individuality.
You’ll have the opportunity to participate in our 9-day fortnight scheme, thriving community groups, varied social and networking events, and extensive professional and technical development schemes. We also offer an extensive benefits package, including private medical cover, an electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and 25 days of annual leave (increasing with service), alongside flexible and hybrid working.
Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.
About the role
We’re hiring an Associate/Senior Associate to join our building‑physics team working on CFD, data‑centre thermal performance and whole‑building energy modelling. You will lead and deliver modelling studies, translate results into practical design and operational guidance, and help grow our technical capabilities and reproducible workflows across the team
We are looking for an experienced, client‑facing engineer with hands‑on CFD and data‑centre modelling experience plus a strong grounding in building physics (heat transfer, ventilation/HVAC optimization, dispersion and wind‑microclimate analysis, and dynamic thermal modelling). You should be comfortable setting technical standards, leading projects, mentoring colleagues, and communicating results to clients and project teams. If you meet many of the criteria but not every bullet, we encourage you to apply.
It's an exciting time to join our Building Physics team. Working alongside a range of specialist engineers and consultants, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do, and offer a supportive, flexible, and high performing work culture.
In this key and varied role, you can expect to:
* Lead data‑hall CFD studies (rack‑ and room‑scale): containment and airflow strategies (hot/cold aisles, perforated‑tile & raised‑floor flows, fan walls, in‑row/rear‑door cooling, liquid‑cooling), transient resilience/time‑to‑critical analyses, hotspot mitigation, and assessment of re‑entrainment risks from plant equipment (generators, chillers).
* Oversee production CFD across sectors (Residential, Science & Research, Workplace): set meshing and solver standards, enforce convergence and QA/QC practices, and recommend higher‑fidelity approaches (e.g., LES) where justified.
* Evaluate HVAC and ventilation strategies: model ventilation effectiveness and control strategies to improve thermal comfort, air distribution and energy performance.
* Execute dispersion and wind‑microclimate studies: contaminant transport and tracer‑gas approaches, pedestrian wind comfort/safety assessments (Lawson criteria, City of London guidance), and interaction with site plant.
* Integrate local CFD findings into whole‑building energy model.
* Build and maintain automation and parametric workflows (Python; Rhino + Grasshopper/Ladybug/Honeybee), creating reusable components and batch‑run pipelines for scenario studies.
* Define and implement model validation and uncertainty approaches: calibration, sensitivity analysis and reporting.
* Provide technical leadership: review deliverables, mentor junior staff, support proposals and client presentations, and ensure projects are delivered on scope, schedule and budget.
* A collaborative mindset, with the self-awareness and openness to work effectively within multi-disciplinary teams.
* Support timely invoicing, debt chasing, management of WIP and forward workload/resource planning for your own projects.
* Mentor and support our ‘next gen’ professionals including apprentices and graduates.
About you
To be successful in this role you’ll need:
* BSc or MSc in Mechanical Engineering, Building Science, Thermal/Fluid Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, CFD or similar (or equivalent practical experience).
* Demonstrable CFD experience; data‑centre project experience is highly desirable.
* Hands‑on experience with two or more CFD platforms (e.g., ANSYS Fluent/CFX, OpenFOAM, Star‑CCM+, Cadence DC) and meshing tools.
* Practical experience in data‑centre thermal modelling (rack/room CFD, containment, transient resilience analyses).
* Experience into energy modelling tools like IES‑VE, TAS, EnergyPlus / OpenStudio).
* Automation skills: Python for scripting and data work; Rhino + Grasshopper and Ladybug/Honeybee for parametric workflows.
* Strong communication and client‑facing skills; experience writing technical proposals and presenting to clients.
* Ability to create clean, watertight geometry in Rhino, SpaceClaim or similar.
* Commercial awareness and accountability
* A commitment to supporting the development of others
Desirable:
* Roles in data centre consulting and close collaboration with MEP teams.
* Experience with LES and transient high‑fidelity studies for targeted investigations.
* Familiarity with 1D flow network modelling for liquid‑cooling strategies.
* Exposure to wind‑tunnel validation for CFD (boundary‑layer reproduction, instrumentation data processing, and CFD‑to‑experiment comparison).
* Professional registration (CIBSE or equivalent) or progressing toward registration.
How to apply
To apply simply complete a CV profile and submit your application, or for further information please contact .
If shortlisted, one of our recruitment team will be in touch to arrange an introductory call (about 30 minutes) to discuss the role and your experience in more detail. From there, successful candidates will be invited to attend a panel interview, either via Microsoft Teams or in person at one of our offices. We aim to provide feedback at each stage of the process.
Adjustments and accommodations
If there are adjustments or accommodations that we can put in place to help you participate and give your best at any stage of the recruitment process (whether relating to disability, neurodivergence or anything else) please let us know.
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Recruitment agencies
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