Group Lead Mechanical Engineer (HVAC Projects)

Group lead Mechanical Engineering – HVAC, Heating, Cooling & Sanitary

Location: Stuttgart or Bad Homburg, Germany OR Vienna, Austria

Employment Type: Full-Time / Permanent

Languages : German (minimum B2) & English (Professional Working Proficiency)

About the Role

An established engineering and technology organisation is seeking an experienced Group Lead Mechanical Engineering to lead a multidisciplinary team responsible for the design and delivery of mechanical building services for Data Centres, Industrial Facilities and other Mission Critical projects.

Working within the Engineering & Design department, you will provide technical and people leadership across HVAC, heating, cooling, plumbing and sprinkler systems, ensuring high-quality engineering solutions from concept design through construction support and commissioning.

This role offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced engineering leader or a senior mechanical engineer looking to take the next step into team leadership within a global engineering organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership

• Lead, mentor and develop a team of Mechanical Building Services engineers.
• Plan engineering resources and manage workloads across multiple projects.
• Support recruitment, onboarding and professional development of team members.
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching and career development discussions.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative and high-performing engineering culture.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership across HVAC, heating, cooling, plumbing and sprinkler system design.
• Review and approve engineering calculations, technical reports, specifications and design documentation.
• Ensure engineering solutions comply with German regulations, client requirements and company standards.
• Resolve complex technical issues and provide expert engineering guidance.
• Promote engineering best practice and continuous improvement across the discipline.

Design & Project Delivery

• Lead the design and coordination of mechanical building services systems for Data Centres and industrial facilities.
• Plan, design and optimise HVAC, heating, cooling, plumbing and sprinkler systems.
• Prepare and review technical specifications, bills of quantities and engineering documentation.
• Coordinate with Electrical, Structural, Architectural, Process and BIM teams.
• Support tender activities, supplier evaluations and technical proposal reviews.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget and to the highest quality standards.
• Support installation, testing, commissioning and project close-out activities.
• Participate in site visits, planning meetings and multidisciplinary coordination workshops.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Develop strong relationships with clients, consultants and project stakeholders.
• Represent the Mechanical Engineering discipline during client meetings and technical workshops.
• Coordinate effectively with internal departments, external planners, contractors and suppliers.
• Provide technical advice throughout project delivery.
• Support successful project execution through proactive communication and collaboration.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with German building regulations, DIN, VDI, VDE and relevant European engineering standards.
• Maintain high engineering quality across all project deliverables.
• Lead internal design reviews and technical audits.
• Drive continuous improvement of engineering processes and quality standards.
• Ensure documentation complies with company quality management systems.
• Promote innovative, energy-efficient and sustainable mechanical engineering solutions.
• Support BIM and digital engineering workflows.
• Encourage knowledge sharing and continuous professional development.
• Identify opportunities to improve engineering efficiency and project delivery.
• Contribute to the development of engineering standards and best practices.

Technical Environment

The successful candidate will have experience working within one or more of the following environments:

• Mission Critical Facilities
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• High-Tech Manufacturing
• Life Sciences
• Pharmaceutical Facilities
• Research & Development Facilities
• Laboratories
• Controlled Environment Facilities

Technical Expertise

Strong experience in the design and delivery of:

• HVAC Systems
• Heating Systems
• Cooling Systems
• Chilled Water Systems
• Hot Water Systems
• Air Handling Units (AHUs)
• Fan Coil Units (FCUs)
• Plumbing Systems
• Domestic Water Services
• Drainage Systems
• Pressurisation Systems
• Building Management System (BMS) Integration
• Energy-Efficient Mechanical Building Services

Candidate Requirements

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering, HVAC Engineering or a related discipline.
• Solid experience in Mechanical Building Services Engineering within industrial, mission-critical or data centre environments.
• Strong technical knowledge of HVAC, heating, cooling, plumbing and sprinkler system design.
• Good understanding of German building regulations, including DIN, VDI, VDE and relevant European engineering standards.
• Experience delivering multidisciplinary engineering projects from concept through construction support and commissioning.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and engineering activities simultaneously.
• Proficiency with CAD systems, engineering planning tools and Microsoft Office.
• Fluent German and English (written and spoken).
• Willingness to travel for project meetings and site visits.
• Previous experience leading or mentoring engineering teams.
• Experience within engineering consultancies, EPC contractors or design organisations.
• Knowledge of BIM and digital engineering workflows.
• Experience using Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD and Navisworks.
• Familiarity with HVAC calculation software such as IES VE, HAP or similar.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Eur Ing or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Experience supporting international engineering projects.
• Knowledge of sustainable building design and low-carbon HVAC technologies.

Qualifications & Certifications

Preferred

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Eur Ing or equivalent.
• Membership of VDI, CIBSE, ASHRAE or other recognised engineering institutions.
• BIM or Autodesk Revit Certification (advantageous).

Employee Benefits

• Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements.
• Two-day structured onboarding programme.
• Buddy system to support your integration into the business.
• Modern collaborative offices with height-adjustable workstations.
• Mobile working opportunities.
• Complimentary coffee specialities and water dispensers.
• Qualitrain fitness subsidy with access to over 5,000 locations across Germany.
• Professional development and technical training.
• Career progression within a global engineering and technology organisation.
• Opportunity to work on world-class Data Centre and Mission Critical projects.