Mechanical Lead Decarbonisation

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.

Dowds are seeking a Mechanical Lead – Decarbonisation to act as the senior technical authority across our public sector portfolio.

This is a high-impact leadership role, responsible for shaping and assuring the mechanical strategy across live projects—from baseline assessment through to delivery. You will operate at peer level with Project and Commercial leadership, ensuring all mechanical solutions are technically robust, deliverable, and aligned to client requirements.

Healthcare is a core focus area, requiring deep expertise in live clinical environments where resilience, compliance, and continuity of service are critical.

• Act as technical authority for mechanical decarbonisation across all projects
• Lead the electrification of heat strategy (ASHP, GSHP, WSHP)
• Define and oversee mechanical retrofit strategies, including:
• Low-temperature heating conversions
• Pumps, controls, and VSD upgrades
• Provide technical sign-off on all mechanical scopes prior to client submission
• Lead client-facing technical discussions, particularly with NHS estates teams
• Identify and mitigate delivery risks (phasing, plant access, live environment constraints)
• Support the growth of the decarbonisation function through technical leadership and mentoring
• Maintain Dowds’ reputation as a trusted partner in healthcare decarbonisation

• 15–20+ years’ experience in mechanical building services with a substantial proportion in live operational environments rather than design-office only
• Proven track record delivering projects in live operational environments
• Non-negotiable: Direct experience within healthcare estates (NHS or equivalent)
• Practical, site-based engineering knowledge (not solely design-led)
• Experience providing technical assurance/sign-off on complex projects
• Ability to engage confidently with senior stakeholders and clients
• Chartered Engineer (CEng – CIBSE, IMechE or equivalent)
• Knowledge of HTM standards (particularly HTM 03-01)
• Familiarity with PAS 2030 or retrofit standards
• Experience mentoring or building engineering teams

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

Dowds is an Equal Opportunities Employer