Job Title: MEP Rail Design Lead

Location: UK (with potential for overseas involvement)
Discipline: Mechanical, Electrical & Public Health (MEP) - Rail Building Services
Level: Senior Leadership / Design Lead
Projects: Major UK and international railway infrastructure projects

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and technically proficient MEP Rail Design Lead to head up the delivery of multi-disciplinary Rail MEP Building Services across complex and prestigious infrastructure projects. This is a leadership role, responsible for managing teams through the full project lifecycle, from concept design to RIBA Stage 4 / GRIP Stage 5.

You will play a critical role in client engagement, design management, multi-disciplinary coordination, and delivery of sustainable engineering solutions. You'll be part of a dynamic environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of engineering excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Mechanical and Electrical design team on major railway station projects.

• Act as the primary liaison between clients, contractors, and the internal design team.

• Coordinate and resolve design issues across MEP disciplines.

• Ensure alignment of designs with project requirements, client standards, and industry regulations.

• Guide project teams through RIBA Stages 1-4 / GRIP Stages 2-5.

• Champion low-carbon, sustainable MEP designs that meet Net Zero Carbon targets.

• Lead a collaborative, high-performing team and actively support staff development.

• Provide technical direction and mentoring to junior engineers.

• Interpret and deliver designs in compliance with Building Regulations (including Part L), British Standards, and relevant railway-specific standards.

• Maintain awareness of contractual frameworks including Early Warnings, Employer's Instructions, and change control processes.

• Support coordination between MEP and other disciplines (architectural, structural, civils, etc.)

• Engage in knowledge sharing and global collaboration within WSP's broader business units.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in leading multi-disciplinary MEP design teams in a rail or complex infrastructure environment.

• Strong knowledge of Mechanical, Electrical, and Public Health systems in rail station environments.

• Advantageous: Experience with Telecoms and Fire systems design.

• Excellent client-facing and communication skills, with a strong track record of client engagement.

• Thorough understanding of sustainability standards and Net Zero design principles.

• Working knowledge of statutory and regulatory compliance, including Building Regulations.

• Commercial and contractual awareness (NEC, early warnings, EIs, etc.)

• Chartered Engineer status or working toward (CEng, MCIBSE, MIET, etc.)

• Experience working to RIBA and GRIP design stages in the rail sector.