Lead Mechanical Design Engineer (Decarbonisation & Energy Solutions)

EQUANS is looking for a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer (Decarbonisation & Energy Solutions) to join our team in London on a permanent basis. This is a fulltime role working Monday to Friday. On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package. 

The Lead Mechanical Design Engineer plays a key role in the design, development, and optimisation of mechanical systems in decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects, principally sustainable retrofits. This role involves working across RIBA Stages 2-7, managing mechanical and energy systems design, including heat pumps, HVAC, and intermediate to complex ECMs (Energy Conservation Measures).

The position requires expertise in design management, technical leadership, and retrofit strategies, ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulatory frameworks, and funding requirements. The role also includes developing and leading a team of design engineers to support project delivery from concept to implementation.

What will you deliver? 

Mechanical Design & Engineering

• Lead mechanical design and engineering solutions across RIBA Stages 2-4, providing ongoing technical support across RIBA 5 to 7, ensuring technical excellence and commercial viability.
• Design and integrate low-carbon energy solutions, including heat pumps, district heating, HVAC, and energy-efficient BMS.
• Develop and refine modelling tools to analyse mechanical system performance and identify improvement opportunities.
• Ensure compliance with CIBSE guidelines, PAS 2035, MCS standards, and UK building regulations.
• Lead BIM implementation within mechanical designs, ensuring compliance with industry standards and seamless integration.
• Oversee CAD model development and coordination, ensuring compatibility with multidisciplinary teams.

Design Management & Team Development

• Lead design coordination and management, integrating mechanical, electrical, and energy systems for seamless project execution.
• Lead technical reviews in support of the tendering teams and Project Teams.
• Develop and mentor a team of design engineers, fostering technical expertise and continuous improvement.
• Facilitate collaborative design workshops to enhance interdisciplinary coordination and innovation.
• Ensure best practices in design management, aligning with sustainability, compliance, and operational efficiency.

Project Delivery & Risk Management

• Manage designs and support end-to-end project lifecycle delivery, helping to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
• Conduct risk assessments and design reviews, ensuring mechanical solutions meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Lead and/or support supplier negotiations and procurement strategies, ensuring optimal system selection and cost efficiency.
• Support clients and internal teams with planning applications, heritage constraints, and technical due diligence.

Technical Leadership & Retrofit Strategy

• Engage with stakeholders at all levels, presenting technical concepts in a clear and strategic manner.
• Lead the retrofit design process, ensuring mechanical interventions align with decarbonisation goals and funding criteria.
• Provide strategic oversight, particularly on intermediate to complex ECMs, ensuring integration, efficiency, and compliance.
• Develop measurement & verification (M&V) strategies in line with IPMVP methodologies, where applicable.

Decarbonisation Strategy and Consultancy

• Lead the development of decarbonisation project planning for public and private sector clients, including local authorities, social housing associations, healthcare, and commercial organisations.
• Conduct technical and financial feasibility assessments for low-carbon technologies, including heat pumps, district energy systems, HVAC, BMS, and solar PV.
• Guide internal teams and external clients through funding applications (e.g., PSDS, Warmer Homes, GHNF, HNES), ensuring compliance and maximising success rates.

Funding & Commercial Viability

• Develop business cases and financial models to secure funding for large-scale mechanical and energy projects.
• Conduct techno-economic assessments to evaluate the financial and operational feasibility of mechanical solutions.
• Stay updated with regulatory changes impacting heat decarbonisation and public sector funding eligibility.

What can we offer you? 

On offer is a competitive salary, and benefits package, which includes; 

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays) 
• Life Cover equivalent to 3 x annual salary 
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers 
• Gym membership discounts  
• Cycle to work scheme  
• Holiday purchase scheme 
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year 
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes 
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme 
• Access to our growing employee networks including WiE (Women in EQUANS), RISE (BAME), LGBTQI+, Working Parents, YPN (Young Persons Network) and our Disability Network 
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app 

Who are we looking for? 

Experience:

• Proven track record in leading mechanical design and decarbonisation initiatives.
• Extensive experience in building energy systems, heat networks, and low-carbon infrastructure.
• Expertise in HVAC design and design management, risk assessment, and project delivery.
• Experience with energy modelling and simulation software, such as IES, Energy Pro, PVsol, Termis, NEMO, Netsim, and Bluebeam.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or Building Services Engineering (MEng/BEng, or equivalent).
• Chartered Engineer status (CEng) with CIBSE or IMechE preferred.
• Extensive experience in mechanical design, retrofit, and decarbonisation projects.
• Retrofit Designer Certification is highly desirable.

Who are we? 

EQUANS is a world leader in energy services with nearly 100,000 employees working in more than 50 countries, with an annual turnover of over 17 billion euros.   

In the UK & Ireland, EQUANS is a provider of technical, FM, regeneration and energy services – with specialist capabilities in smart buildings, green mobility, district & embedded energy and decentralised renewables. 

EQUANS’ 13,500 UK & Ireland employees combine these activities to help businesses, public sector organisations and government to embrace the energy transition towards net zero, and also the digital & industrial transitions that are redesigning the way we move, work and live. 

EQUANS is a Bouygues group company. 

What’s next? 

If this role is of interest to you, please click below to register, apply, and track your progress! A member of our Resourcing Team will review your application and be in touch. 

At Equans we’re committed to delivering a culture where everyone’s voice is heard and supported. We know the value a diverse workforce creates, delivering better results for our people, customers, and stakeholders. Diversity and inclusion is at the core of what we do, should you join Equans you’ll find a welcoming and open workplace where you’re supported and encouraged to be your true self at work. You’ll also have access to our growing employee networks including WiE (Women in Equans), RISE (BAME), LGBTQI+, Working Parents, YPN (Young Professionals Network) and our Disability Network.  

For this role, you must have evidence of the right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to offer a re-location package with this job role.  Certain roles may require applicants to undergo a Disclosure check, as noted in the role requirements. 

The EQUANS Resourcing Team supports this job advert. Agency involvement is not required. All related enquiries must come to the resourcing team not direct to EQUANS Managers.