Kier Group
Principal Engineer
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Principal Engineer
Principal Mechanical Engineering Team Leader (MEP) – Liverpool, Manchester, or Leeds
Location: Liverpool, Manchester, or Leeds – with opportunity for agile working Hours: 40 hours per week (with flexibility available upon arrangement) Salary: Starting at £70,000 per annum Sector: MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Public Health engineering) across public and private sectors
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Engineering Team Leader—a Chartered Engineer experienced in MEP design leadership—to help us deliver groundbreaking building services projects. As the Principal Mechanical Engineering Team Leader, you will be the driving force behind design excellence, technical coordination, and team performance, ensuring our projects meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and innovation.
Are You…?
This role is perfect if you’re a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with:
- MEP design leadership experience, particularly in concept-to-construction delivery
- A proactive collaborative mindset, thriving in a dynamic, delivery-focused organisation
- Strong stakeholders management skills, balancing client needs, technical challenges, and commercial pressures
Do You Have…?
- A degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Building Services Engineering (or related discipline)
- Multi-disciplinary project experience, including public and private sector engagements
- CIBSE or IET Chartered status (or ability to pursue this)
- Recognition in the industry, such as being a Kier Top 30 employer’s preferred partner
Key Responsibilities
Project & Design Leadership
- Lead high-quality MEP design delivery across new builds, refurbishments, and minor works, aligning with budget, programme, safety, and quality standards
- Coordinate multi-disciplinary design teams, ensuring technical excellence and refined innovation in solutions
- Conduct feasibility studies, multi-stage designs, specifications, condition reports, and technical appraisals
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Team & Performance Management
- Manage, mentor, and develop MEP teams, fostering capability aligned with business targets
- Supervise junior engineers on their journey to chartered status
- Ensure workload allocation & project resource optimisation for structural efficiency
Business & Client Engagement
- Build long-term client relationships, fostering trust and satisfaction in public & private sector projects
- Drive business growth by participating in fee proposals, bid submissions, and client presentations
- Represent Kier in industry forums, standard-setting groups, and sector working groups
Quality & Compliance
- Maintain engineering standards, QA processes, document control, and Health & Safety compliance
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives, promoting best practice across the team
Additional Duties
- Contribute to technical innovation, safety, wellbeing, and customer experience improvement
- Support retention and growth initiatives for Kier’s top-rated employer reputation
What We Look for in a Candidate
✅ Individuals ticking the following are ideal applicants:
- Chartered Engineer (CIBSE/IET) + Degree in MEP Engineering-related discipline
- Senior leadership track record in managing multi-disciplinary engineering teams
- Tell cultural capability: Translating complex technical detail for executives, clients, and colleagues
- Proficiency in Quality Management, Design Governance, and industry-standard software
- Ability to navigate BPSS (BS7858) security requirements
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Rewards & Benefits
- Competitive salary starting at £70K, with career progression opportunities
- Flexible working, tailored to your needs with agile support structures
- Comprehensive benefit package (including health, pensions, annual leave, and wellness programs)
- Mental health & wellbeing support, with resources like Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs)
- Non-discriminatory recruitment, backed by Kier’s Disability Confident commitment
**Find more details on our benefits here: Kier Benefits Page (Insert link: see extended text for clarification)
Diversity & Inclusion
Kier is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and open workplace shaped by employee input. We actively:
- Balance workforce diversity through policies and partnerships
- Empower employees to lead current and future D&I initiatives
- Ensure our workplace reflects the communities we serve
As a Disability Confident employer, we commit to promoting fair access to interviews for qualified disabled candidates.
For this role, applicants are required to:
- Complete a Basic Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
- Note: Convictions will be considered case-by-case; history does not automatically disqualify.
- Some roles may undergo additional background checks.
Next Steps
Begin your journey with us by applying to #JoinKier and become part of a team that builds brilliant futures, builds stronger communities, and inspires excellence.
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