Senior Manager: Technical MEP

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!

 

At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

 

Job Description:

The Senior Manager: Technical – MEP is a senior, client‑facing role embedded within an integrated client–PMC office on a major transportation program with a heavy focus on rail (metro, heavy rail, light rail, high‑speed). This is a non‑operational position that manages and assures the MEP technical scope across the design and build lifecycle on behalf of the client, rather than running day‑to‑day operations or maintenance.

Sitting in the Engineering & Safety function, the role provides technical leadership, design governance, interface coordination, and safety‑by‑design oversight for all MEP systems in stations, depots, tunnels, ancillary facilities, and line‑wide assets. The post ensures consultants and contractors deliver safe, compliant, coordinated, and constructible MEP solutions that meet employer’s requirements, rail standards, and regulatory expectations.

Key Responsibilities1. Client Representation & Governance (Integrated Office)

• Act as the primary technical MEP focal point within the integrated client office for transportation/rail projects.
• Represent the client in design reviews, technical workshops, progress meetings, and risk forums with consultants, contractors, independent reviewers, and authorities.
• Interpret, communicate, and safeguard employer’s requirements and technical standards for MEP; ensure they are embedded in contracts, designs, and deliverables.
• Provide independent, objective advice and recommendations to client leadership on MEP technical issues, risks, and impacts on scope, time, cost, and safety.

2. MEP Design Management & Technical Assurance

• Manage and oversee the MEP design lifecycle (concept, preliminary, detailed design, IFC for:
  • Stations (mechanical, electrical, public health, fire & life safety, vertical transportation, ELV/BMS/SCADA)
  • Depots, workshops, and stabling facilities
  • Tunnels and underground structures (ventilation, smoke control, tunnel services)
  • Line‑wide systems (LV/MV distribution, emergency power, lighting, drainage, pump stations, technical rooms)
• Review and challenge MEP design reports, drawings, BIM models, calculations, and specifications for compliance with:
  • Employer’s requirements and performance criteria
  • Local codes, authority requirements, civil defense and fire regulations
  • Relevant international standards
• Chair or lead multi‑discipline design reviews and value engineering workshops to ensure solutions are safe, efficient, maintainable, and cost‑effective.
• Ensure requirements management and traceability for MEP and life‑safety systems from capture through verification and close‑out.
• Oversee implementation of the project’s technical assurance framework for MEP, including formal verification and independent technical checks.

3. Interfaces with Civil, Architecture, Rail Systems & Operations

• Coordinate MEP interfaces with:
  • Architecture and civil/structural works (plant spaces, shafts, penetrations, loadings, access/egress)
  • Rail systems (signalling, telecoms, traction power, screen doors, fare collection, security systems)
  • Track, rolling stock, depot equipment, and line‑side equipment
  • Operations and maintenance requirements (access, redundancy, maintenance regimes, reliability)
• Manage interface registers for MEP‑related issues and drive early resolution to avoid clashes and late design changes.
• Ensure MEP design accommodates operational scenarios (normal, degraded, emergency), particularly for fire & life safety and tunnel ventilation.

4. Safety, Engineering & Compliance (Non‑Operational)

• Embed safety by design principles in all MEP solutions, with a particular focus on:
  • Fire detection, alarm, protection, and smoke control systems
  • Emergency lighting, power, and evacuation support systems
  • Ventilation and environmental control for stations, tunnels, and technical spaces
• Review and monitor MEP contributions to RAMS, safety cases, hazard logs, and risk assessments.
• Coordinate with Engineering & Safety, independent safety assessors (ISA), and regulators where MEP systems influence passenger and system safety.
• Ensure all MEP systems meet authority and civil defense requirements; track approvals, NOCs, and certifications against program milestones.

5. Design–Build Coordination & Construction Support

• From a PMC perspective, ensure MEP designs are aligned with construction methodologies and sequencing; flag constructability and access issues early.
• Review contractors’ MEP construction methods, installation strategies, and temporary works (e.g., temporary ventilation, power, fire systems) for technical robustness and safety.
• Support the client in evaluating and approving MEP‑related design changes, technical deviations, and value engineering proposals.
• Provide senior technical input on MEP RFIs, non‑conformance reports, and site technical queries, coordinating with designers and contractors for timely resolutions.
• Oversee quality of as‑built MEP documentation and ensure alignment with approved designs and technical requirements.

6. Testing, Commissioning & Handover (Technical Oversight)

• Review and comment on MEP testing and commissioning strategies, plans, and integrated test procedures (including station and tunnel integrated systems testing).
• Monitor execution of MEP factory acceptance tests, site acceptance tests, functional tests, and integrated system tests via reports and selective site attendance.
• Assess test results, non‑conformances, and defect trends; ensure robust remediation and re‑testing strategies.
• Coordinate with Operations & Maintenance teams to ensure MEP systems are operable, maintainable, and aligned with long‑term asset strategies at handover.
• Verify completeness and quality of O&M manuals, training materials, asset registers, and handover deliverables for all MEP systems.

7. Program, Cost & Technical Risk Management

• Monitor progress of MEP design and construction activities against the integrated master program, highlighting critical path items and dependencies (e.g., power‑on, ventilation readiness, safety system integration).
• Support project controls and commercial teams with technical assessment of MEP‑related changes, variations, and claims.
• Maintain and update MEP technical risk registers, including likelihood, consequence, and mitigation/contingency plans.
• Prepare clear, concise technical, risk, and status reports for engineering and program governance boards within the integrated client office.

8. Stakeholder, Authority & Third‑Party Coordination

• Coordinate with internal client stakeholders to ensure MEP systems support operational concepts and passenger service requirements.
• Interface with authorities and third parties for MEP‑related approvals, connections, and inspections.
• Support engagement with adjacent developments, landlords, and other interfacing projects where shared MEP/utility assets or connections are required.

9. Leadership, Team & Quality Management

• Lead and mentor a team of MEP engineers and technical specialists within the integrated client‑PMC environment.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and collaborative problem‑solving across all MEP activities.
• Ensure robust QA/QC processes for MEP design and construction deliverables, including systematic reviews, audits, and technical checkpoints.
• Capture, document, and disseminate lessons learned on MEP design, systems integration, commissioning, and safety by design for continuous improvement across the program.

QualificationsEducation

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Building Services, or related Engineering discipline.
• Professional registration/chartership (CEng, PE, equivalent) is highly desirable.
• Project management certification (PMP, PRINCE2) is an advantage.

Experience

• Typically 15+ years’ experience in MEP engineering for major transportation and complex building projects, with significant rail/metro exposure (stations, depots, tunnels, line‑wide systems).
• Substantial experience in a PMC, client, or major consultancy environment managing MEP scope on design and build contracts.
• Proven track record in design management, technical assurance, and site support for large, multi‑discipline projects.
• Demonstrable experience in MEP systems related to fire & life safety, tunnel ventilation, emergency power, and integrated station systems.
• Experience working within integrated client/PMC teams and with multiple contractors and design houses is highly advantageous.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep technical understanding of building services and transportation MEP systems (HVAC, LV/MV power, emergency power, lighting, public health, fire protection, fire alarm, BMS/SCADA, ELV, and life‑safety systems).
• Strong knowledge of relevant codes, standards, and authority requirements
• Familiarity with systems engineering, integration
• Excellent project management, planning, and coordination skills in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, with a structured approach to technical and program risk management.
• Highly effective communication, facilitation, and negotiation skills, with the ability to explain complex issues to non‑technical stakeholders.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and client‑service orientation.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); Arabic ideal.

Parsons equally employs representation at all job levels no matter the race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability or genetic information.

We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.