Associate Principal – Technical Mechanical Leader

Associate Principal – Technical Mechanical Leader

Joining Arup Arup's purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach have set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We are seeking an Associate Principal – Technical Mechanical Leader with extensive science sector experience based out of our San Francisco office - a strategic, high-impact role focused on expanding Arup's presence and technical leadership in the Bay Area's dynamic life sciences market. This leader will work with our West-coast science business leader to drive growth in one of the nation's top three life sciences hubs, supporting Arup's ambitious regional and national targets and strengthening relationships with leading biotech and pharmaceutical clients.

* This role is based in San Francisco*

The opportunity:

• Lead and deliver mechanical engineering design for medium to large-scale Life Sciences projects (laboratories, R&D, pharmaceutical facilities) as Engineer of Record.

• Manage multiple concurrent projects, including planning, resourcing, scheduling, budgeting, and ensuring high-quality delivery.

• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for clients and collaborators, facilitating meetings, presentations, and design discussions.

• Provide mentorship and technical guidance to project teams, fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence.

• Partner with the West Science Leader and senior leadership to align projects with broader business goals and strategic initiatives.

• Actively participate in industry events, representing Arup as a speaker or panelist, and engage with key clients and partners to grow the opportunity pipeline.

• Support business development efforts by leveraging sector knowledge, supporting proposals, and nurturing client relationships.

• Integrate sustainable design principles and innovative engineering solutions into projects.

• Negotiate project contracts and conditions of engagement to optimize delivery and minimize risk.

• Regularly engage with our Science Leader and Business Development Lead to establish key client relationships and target accounts.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering required.

• Valid Professional Engineering license in California.

• 15+ years of experience in mechanical engineering design for the built environment.

• 10+ years delivering medium to large-scale Life Sciences projects as Engineer of Record.

• Demonstrated experience leading project teams and mentoring engineers.

• Strong client relationship management and communication skills.

• Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, and resources.

• Familiarity with business development processes and ability to contribute to proposal efforts.

• Experience integrating sustainable design strategies into mechanical engineering solutions.

• Experience working across multidisciplinary project teams.

• Exposure to national standards and codes relevant to Life Sciences facilities.

Preferred:

• Experience in science-focused industry events and forums.

• Exposure to strategic planning and business growth initiatives.

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal. If this role is not quite what you are looking for, but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to our Talent Community where you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member's success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup's legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver…