Principal Mechanical Engineer

Job title: Principal Mechanical Engineer
Location: London
Salary: 90000

At VVB Engineering, we deliver sustainable mechanical, electrical, and telecommunication engineering solutions with specialist agility and robust processes. With long-standing experience across Rail, Highways, Power, and Tunnels, we are committed to serving our clients, our people, and our environment.

Our CORE values shape our behaviours and define our ethos:

C – Care & Collaboration
O – Opportunity & Ownership
R – Responsibility & Respect
E – Excellence & End Result Focus

To provide Mechanical engineering support to projects through design to completion. This will involve all stages from tendering, design, installation, testing and commissioning. Management of Mechanical installations throughout the projects to ensure successful delivery from a HSE, programme, quality, compliance and commercial perspective.

• Undertaking Mechanical design review in line with current standards and to ensure buildability and constructability. Identify any weakness or errors in the design that could jeopardise the functionality. Ensure HSE best practices are always followed.
• Undertake full Mechanical design of systems; not limited to tunnel ventilation, HVAC, pumped drainage, smoke clearance, public health etc.
• Ensure design risk assessment is compliant with installation parameters.
• Participate in, and where required chair, HazID, HazOP and HazCON’s as required by the client.
• Provide engineered solutions to key project problems to satisfy clients expectations, project restrictions and budget considerations.
• Provide Engineering support and technical expertise to the various sectors and projects.
• Management of all associated design registers, meeting minutes, drawing registers etc. as appropriate inline VVB and project requirements. Ensure all formal communication is undertaken and managed (RFI, TQ, EWN, MAR, TD etc).
• Direct liaison with CAD/BIM team to ensure correct drawing modelling to BIM or other standards. Review drawings for clash detection and associated interface problems.
• Attend, and participate as the Mechanical lead, interdisciplinary design reviews and checks (IDR/IDC).
• Development of scope documents for tenders and procurement processes.
• Liaison with manufacturers to determine product suitability, in partnership with procurement.
• Attendance at FAT and SAT (and any other required stage) to ensure compliance with requirements.
• Support, and where required, carry out the Commissioning of Mechanical Systems.
• Where required, support the maintenance team with fault finding of Mechanical Systems.
• Carry out site surveys/visits for both tendering and project purposes not limited to the purpose of identifying scope, improvements to systems, dilapidation and design requirements.
• Direct liaison with installation teams to ensure design suitability, works methodology and solve key installation issues/constructability.
• Working with the commercial department to track technical or design change and variances.
• Working with the planning department to plan design, installation and T&C works. Provision of accurate assessment on forecast works to complete and provide suitable readjustments to ensure project programme is maintained.
• Management of subcontractor works as appropriate including assisting commercial department in valuation and contract support.
• Ensure design and works comply with VVB and client quality management systems
• Keep up to date with all Mechanical, construction and relevant legislation, law, standards and best practice
• Management of the Mechanical engineering team
• Design Management where required
• Review and management of the team’s time and allocation
• Training and mentoring of the Mechanical engineering team and Mechanical design team

• Knowledge of relevant Mechanical installations legislation and standards, BIM and design modelling standards and all other associated standards and legislation.
• Awareness of DSEAR/ATEX requirements and obligations as designer and installer.
• Awareness of pipe stress and dynamic pipe loads (surge)
• Knowledge of design processes and associated compliance
• Advanced MS Office skills including Excel
• Utilisation of MS Project or P6
• Working knowledge of the following typical systems:
• Mechanical
  • Large HVAC systems inc heatpumps
  • AC
  • Fire rated ductwork
  • Staircase Pressurisation Systems
  • Smoke Clearance systems
• Public Health
  • Potable water
  • DHW
  • Gravity and pumped drainage
  • Waste water drainage
  • Rain water harvesting
• Sustainability awareness
• Revit (or equivalent BIM product)
• Utilisation of Mechanical design packages (HEVACOMP, IES etc)
• Utilisation of pipe stress analysis software (AUTOPipe or CASEAR II)
• Sustainability awareness
• Previous Network rail CRE nomination

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Engineering Council Registration as Chartered Engineer
• Registered member of IMechE, IET, CIBSE or other recognised Engineering Council Institutions
• SMSTS
• CSCS Card – AQP or PQP min
• Full UK drivers license

• Seven years’ experience within a similar Mechanical Engineering position
• Previously worked within the infrastructure/construction environment (utilities/civils etc)
• Previous experience within an M&E Contractor
• Mechanical Design

VVB is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.