Design Manager - Mechanical Ballymena

Dowds is a long established, multidisciplinary engineering and construction Building Services Engineering company headquartered in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1978, our expertise spans the full lifecycle of complex-built environments from initial design and systems integration through to installation, commissioning, and handover. Across specific sectors: life science, commercial, education and healthcare.

Operating at a gold standard for best managed company and investors in people, our vision is to set the standard for excellence, driving progress, responsibility, and lasting impact. While keeping our clients and our people at the heart of what we do.

We are seeking

Dowds are seeking an experienced Mechanical Design Manager to lead mechanical design delivery and technical governance across major projects and preconstruction activities.

This role provides technical leadership across the full project lifecycle, ensuring high-quality, compliant, and buildable mechanical solutions are delivered.

What you'll be responsible for

• Support delivery of technical design management strategy
• Provide leadership across mechanical design standards and governance
• Contribute to wider business strategy and continuous improvement
• Lead mechanical design reviews of bids and cost plans
• Identify risks, opportunities, and value engineering solutions
• Collaborate with estimating teams to support winning bids
• Develop robust mechanical design strategies
• Review, challenge and approve design info, calculations and specifications.
• Act as mechanical technical authority across allocated projects
• Lead MEP consultant appointments and design coordination
• Chair design review meetings and drive technical decision-making
• Define scope, deliverables, and design responsibilities
• Review plant, equipment, and CDP packages for compliance
• Resolve complex mechanical technical issues
• Contribute to procurement strategies and early design decisions
• Support BIM integration and coordination

What we are looking for

• Extensive experience in mechanical building services (MEP/construction)
• Proven track record of technical design leadership
• Strong understanding of design management and procurement
• Experience leading design reviews and managing consultants
• Significant experience in mechanical building services design within an MEP or construction environment.
• Proven ability to lead, review and assure mechanical design outputs across project stages.
• Strong knowledge of HVAC, public health, plant and low‑carbon systems.
• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• Chartered or working towards (CIBSE / IMechE or equivalent)
• Experience in complex sectors (healthcare, commercial, infrastructure)
• Knowledge of BIM and digital engineering practices

Why Join Dowds

• 41 Days Holiday
• Early Finish Fridays
• Private Medical
• Bonus
• Pension
• Work from home
• Plus, many more

Dowds is an Equal Opportunities Employer

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