Head of Design and Estimation

Lizone Consulting Limited is recruiting a Head of Design and Estimation on behalf of a client operating within the MEP engineering sector.
The Head of Design and Estimation will provide strategic and technical leadership for the organisation's MEP design and estimation function, overseeing the development, review and delivery of comprehensive Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) designs and associated project estimates.
The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring that technical designs, engineering calculations, drawings, quantity take-offs and estimates are accurate, commercially viable and compliant with applicable engineering standards and project requirements.
This is a senior technical leadership position requiring strong multidisciplinary MEP expertise, particularly across HVAC, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the design and estimation team in the development of comprehensive MEP engineering solutions.
  
• Provide technical leadership across HVAC, Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing and Fire Protection systems.
  
• Oversee the design of HVAC systems, including VRF and chilled-water systems.
  
• Review design concepts, engineering calculations, specifications, drawings and technical documentation.
  
• Ensure effective coordination between mechanical, electrical, plumbing and other building services disciplines.
  
• Ensure designs meet project specifications, client requirements and applicable engineering standards.
  
• Lead the end-to-end estimation process for MEP projects.
  
• Oversee detailed material and equipment quantity take-offs from drawings, specifications and project documentation.
  
• Review project requirements and technical specifications to determine accurate material, equipment and system requirements.
  
• Ensure design and estimation assumptions are technically sound and appropriately documented.
  
• Collaborate with commercial, procurement and project teams to support accurate project costing and tender preparation.
  
• Review, vet and approve engineering calculations, technical drawings, specifications and related design documentation before submission.
  
• Establish and maintain appropriate technical review and quality-control processes.
  
• Identify design inconsistencies, coordination issues and technical risks before project execution.
  
• Ensure technical submissions are complete, accurate and compliant with relevant standards and project requirements.
  
• Provide final technical oversight for design and estimation deliverables.
  
• Lead value-engineering initiatives aimed at improving project performance, constructability, sustainability and cost efficiency.
  
• Evaluate alternative materials, equipment, technologies and system configurations.
  
• Conduct technical and cost-benefit analyses of proposed design alternatives.
  
• Lead value-engineering workshops involving relevant technical and commercial stakeholders.
  
• Recommend solutions that optimise capital cost without compromising safety, performance, reliability or maintainability.
  
• Identify opportunities to improve long-term operational efficiency and deliver measurable value to clients.
  
• Drive effective utilisation of AutoCAD, Revit/BIM and specialised engineering software across the design function.
  
• Ensure appropriate BIM coordination across MEP disciplines.
  
• Oversee HVAC load calculations using appropriate specialised software such as HAP, Elite or equivalent tools.
  
• Promote efficient design workflows, standardization and technical documentation practices.
  
• Support resolution of complex multidisciplinary design and coordination issues.
  
• Provide technical input into tender submissions, proposals and pre-construction activities.
  
• Review tender documentation, drawings, specifications and employer/client requirements.
  
• Support the development of technically compliant and commercially competitive project solutions.
  
• Work closely with commercial and procurement teams to ensure alignment between design, quantities, equipment selection and project estimates.
  
• Participate in tender clarifications and technical discussions where required.
  
• Present and defend technical designs, engineering decisions and value-engineering recommendations to clients and other stakeholders.
  
• Participate in technical meetings, design reviews and project coordination sessions.
  
• Provide clear technical explanations and recommendations to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  
• Build confidence with clients through technically sound, practical and commercially conscious engineering solutions.
  
• Lead, mentor and develop engineers, designers and estimators within the function.
  
• Establish appropriate technical standards, review processes and accountability within the team.
  
• Promote multidisciplinary collaboration between design, estimation, commercial, procurement and project-delivery teams.
  
• Support continuous improvement in design quality, engineering capability and estimation accuracy.
  

Requirements

• B.Eng. in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
  
• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrable experience in MEP design and estimation.
  
• Strong multidisciplinary experience covering HVAC systems (including VRF and chilled water), Plumbing, Fire Protection and Electrical systems.
  
• Demonstrated experience leading or reviewing multidisciplinary MEP designs.
  
• Strong capability in engineering calculations, technical drawings, quantity take-offs and project estimation.
  
• Mastery of AutoCAD and Revit/BIM.
  
• Strong proficiency in specialised HVAC load-calculation software such as HAP, Elite or equivalent.
  
• Demonstrated ability to conduct comprehensive cost-benefit analyses and lead value-engineering initiatives.
  
• Strong understanding of relevant engineering standards and MEP design principles.
  
• Excellent technical presentation and communication skills, including the ability to present and defend engineering designs and recommendations to clients and stakeholders.
  
• Strong leadership, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
  

Preferred / Nice-to-Have Requirements

• COREN registration is an added advantage.
  
• Previous experience in a senior technical/design position within an MEP contracting or building-services engineering environment.
  
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary MEP designs using BIM.
  
• Strong exposure to technically complex HVAC and MEP projects.