Principal Mechanical Engineer - (1968)

Operational Assets - Oxford

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, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme, stock options, and up to 30 days of annual leave.

Whatever your ambitions or circumstances, our aim is to enable everyone to develop their knowledge, give their best, and enjoy what they do.

We have a brand-new opportunity for a Principal or Associate Mechanical Engineer to join our Operational Assets team based in our Oxford office.

Are you passionate about existing buildings? Do you thrive when challenged to design unique and pragmatic solutions to operational and performance issues? Are you interested in using real-time data to better understand buildings and drive towards a net zero future? It's an exciting time to join our newly formed Operational Assets team, merging the skillsets of property consultants, design engineers and data-led building performance engineers to provide a rounded and reliable service to our clients, creating value through building lifecycles.

We embed ourselves within a client team and their assets, setting the roadmap to a more sustainable future, and joining them on the journey from concept to implementation and operation. More and more, asset owners require a holistic suite of services to identify improvements, design the solutions while minimising disruption, manage the implementation and monitor the impact. Hoare Lea have all the tools to provide this service - and more - to our clients, and now we are looking to grow our Operational Assets team to meet market demand.

We have a proven track record working within the Residential, Commercial and Healthcare sectors. Working alongside a range of specialists, you will be joining a collaborative, knowledgeable, highly engaged team who love what they do.

Previous experience in the Science & Research sector is required for this position, as it is the primary focus of our Oxford Office and a stream of work we will be involved with.

In this key and varied role, you can expect to:

• Secure new projects and service both existing and new clients while assisting the regional lead in effectively planning the specialist delivery of the Operational Assets group.
• Particular focus on work delivery, organisational support and team growth is required to support local and regional clients.
• Demonstrate strong leadership capabilities providing supervision and guidance to team members and other staff.
• Work cooperatively with other teams to deliver a wide variety of Projects with Team Leaders meeting regularly to discuss workload and other management issues.
• Help, recruit, train and develop team members and their careers to ensure ongoing succession and growth of the Practice.
• Undertake own design, specification and site monitoring etc.
• Monitor commissioning and conduct post-occupancy engineering services activities.
• Write technical reports i.e: feasibility, issue investigation, condition surveys etc.
• Liaise with clients (commercial and project management awareness).

You will be working on a varied portfolio of frameworks and projects which are predominantly UK-based but with some overseas opportunities. You will take the lead and deliver on small projects up to the value of a few £million and provide technical support to end users, Landlords, management agents, project managers and the like.

The 3 key areas that we work across in Operational Assets include providing the following services for our clients.

1. Decarbonisation, performance improvements and energy reduction – focus on projects that reduce energy consumption of existing buildings, improve performance for the occupants and achieve client decarbonisation / net zero targets. Applying a pragmatic approach and use of emerging technologies, from strategic roadmaps to implementation.

2. Design – Specialising in challenging existing buildings across all RIBA stages. This involves creative and innovative design solutions to enhance and transform existing buildings, ensuring the building services meet current needs and standards. You will be involved in conceptualising and implementing design strategies, working closely with clients and project teams to deliver high-quality and sustainable designs.

3. Property consultancy – providing a suite of consultancy services to the property market to assist the property management, operation and transaction processes. Services include:

• Technical due diligence reports – vendors and pre-acquisition
• Planned preventative maintenance reports
• Licence to Alter
• Maintenance inspections of buildings,
• Validations management
• Asset registers,
• Troubleshooting,
• Energy optimisation surveys,
• EPCs.

Projects span across all sectors including Commercial Offices, Retail, Residential, Education, Healthcare, MoJ, Defence, Heritage, Industrial and Technology.Previous experience in the Science & Research sector is required for this position.

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

• Qualified design engineer (chartered status or working towards).
• Experience working on projects in existing buildings (refurbishment and fit-out).
• Excellent written and spoken English skills.
• Strong knowledge of data and metering.
• Experience with performance specification and detailed design work, contract administration and site duties.
• Experience in Building Services collectively (all-rounder).
• Willingness and Strong technical knowledge in primary engineering discipline and good understanding of the secondary engineering discipline.
• Comfortable with UK and applicable EU regulations, design guides, etc.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills to effectively work to timescales and deadlines.
• Able to develop effective relationships with well-developed interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Proven track record in work winning and building successful teams.

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 a 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.

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.

We have updated our terms and conditions for candidates, click here to find out more.

We have a Preferred Supplier List of trusted partners who assist us when required. We do not acknowledge speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on the list.