Durham University
Senior Mechanical Building Services Project Engineer
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Senior Mechanical Building Services Project Engineer
Department Estates and Facilities Directorate
Projects and Infrastructure
Grade: Grade 8
Salary range: £47,389-£56,535
Working arrangements:
- Full time (nominal 35 hours)
- There may be a requirement to work evenings and weekends, depending on business needs
- Permanent
- Hybrid working (minimum of four days per week onsite, depending on business need, following the initial induction/training period, which will be full time onsite)
- There may be a requirement for the post-holder to participate in local on-call arrangements, as relevant to this role
Closing date: Thursday 24th September 2026
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
The Role and Department
As Senior Mechanical Building Services Project Engineer, you will play a key role in ensuring the University’s mechanical infrastructure is safe, compliant, resilient and fit for purpose across a complex and diverse estate. You will provide expert mechanical engineering leadership and management to deliver a high-quality, customer-focused service that underpins teaching, research and residential activity. Your role will combine hands-on technical expertise with strategic oversight, supporting major capital and infrastructure projects.
As Senior Engineer you will lead and develop a team of mechanical engineering professionals, and be responsible for service performance, people management, budgets and stakeholder engagement. You will drive continuous improvement, sustainability and value for money while ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and University requirements. Working closely with internal colleagues, consultants and contractors, you will influence service standards, contribute to long-term estates planning and help shape a reliable and future-ready mechanical services function for the University.
The Estates and Facilities Directorate provides essential services to Durham University and is responsible for managing, maintaining and developing the infrastructure and building fabric of the various campuses.
The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House – Durham University.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
- The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- The University operates a hybrid work scheme subject to the demands of the role (as this is a senior position it is expected that a minimum of 4 days onsite will be required due to role demands).
- We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
- We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
- You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
- Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
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Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
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What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
- Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience working in a building services environment. *
- Track record of managing and developing engineering teams at a senior level on both capital and revenue projects. *
- Professional Engineer with specialist knowledge and expertise of building services engineering systems to influence service delivery and activities within the organisation. *
- Experience of leading and overseeing the design of mechanical buildings services and infrastructure projects ensuring they are compliant, fit for purpose and efficient in operation. *
- Experience of managing major mechanical infrastructure projects involving multi-agency working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment. *
- Experience of providing specialist mechanical engineering services advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
- Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.
- Experience of participating in networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
- Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.
- Experience in project management and contract administration.
- Achievement of recognised industry and professional standards supported by relevant courses or certifications e.g. infrastructure services.
- Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulations relating to building services engineering.
- Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
- Knowledge and experience of CDM, health and safety and compliance with the construction industry.
- Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
- Exceptional attention to detail.
Desirable Criteria
- Membership of a relevant professional institute i.e. CIBSE.
- Hold or working towards full Chartered membership of the Engineering Council.
- Knowledge of energy management and Building Management Systems (BMS).
- Continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
- Good working knowledge of University structures and estates procedures (including improvements and capital).
- Experience of working in the higher education sector.
How to apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person
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