Mechanical QA Resident Engineer

Mechanical QA Resident Engineer - Cardiff - 1 year contract minimum
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Mechanical QA Resident Engineer to provide independent and structured technical quality assurance across the mechanical building services installations for the prestigious project in Cardiff. The role will provide progressive inspection and technical review throughout the construction period, with the objective of identifying non-conforming works, workmanship issues and departures from the approved project requirements at the earliest practical opportunity.

The Mechanical QA Resident Engineer will act as an important link between the design, quality and construction teams, ensuring that the installed mechanical services reflect the approved design intent, Employer's Requirements, project specifications, technical submissions, benchmarks and applicable standards. This is a design and technically focused QA role, rather than a purely inspection or snagging position.

The successful candidate must be capable of reading and understanding mechanical design specifications, drawings and technical submissions and applying that knowledge when assessing installations on site. The project QA period is anticipated to run from Q3 2026 through Q2/Q3 2028, subject to the development of the project programme.

Key Responsibilities
Design & Technical AssuranceReview and interpret mechanical design specifications, Employer's Requirements, drawings, schedules and approved construction information. Review mechanical design information and understand the intended performance and installation requirements of the systems. Assess installed works against the latest approved construction information available within the project document management system. Review approved technical submissions, equipment data, manufacturers' requirements and material approvals.

Verify that approved materials and equipment are being installed and that installations generally reflect the approved technical submissions. Review benchmark installations and sample areas against the Employer's Requirements and project specifications. Confirm alignment between approved benchmarks, specifications, drawings, technical submissions and installed works. Identify discrepancies, omissions, non-conformances and potential quality issues at an early stage.

Provide technically informed input where installation issues arise and liaise with the design and project teams where clarification is required. Identify issues which may affect subsequent testing, commissioning, completion or handover.

Mechanical Installation QACarry out progressive site inspections of mechanical and public health installations, including, as applicable:HVAC and ventilation systemsAir handling units and associated systemsChilled water and heating systemsPumps and mechanical plantDomestic hot and cold water systemsAbove-ground drainagePlantroomsMechanical equipmentValves, controls and associated componentsBMS interfacesMechanical supports and secondary steelworkPipework and ductworkInsulationAccess and maintainability provisionsSpecialist mechanical systems and equipment
Inspections shall include consideration of:Workmanship and installation qualityCompliance with approved drawings and specificationsCorrect materials and equipmentSupports, brackets, fixings and secondary steelworkAlignment, levelling and installation tolerances where applicableEquipment installation and manufacturer requirementsAccessibility and maintainabilityService identification and labellingCleanliness and protectionCoordination with other MEP servicesFire-stopping associated with mechanical penetrationsProtection of completed installationsReadiness for testing and commissioning
Progressive Inspection & Quality ControlReview Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) and associated quality checklists for completeness and compliance.

Undertake progressive inspections at appropriate stages of construction. Inspect installations before concealment, including prior to closure of:oCeilingsoWallsoRisersoShaftsoBuilders' work openingsoPlantrooms and other restricted-access areasIdentify defects and non-conforming works before they become inaccessible. Raise and record Quality System Observations (QSOs), snagging items and other quality observations. Establish appropriate target close-out dates and monitor progress. Re-inspect completed works following notification from subcontractors that items are ready for inspection.

Verify close-out based on physical re-inspection and supporting evidence, rather than relying solely on subcontractor confirmation. Provide photographic evidence and supporting records for inspections and close-out activities. Verify that approved workmanship standards and benchmarks continue to be maintained throughout the project. Equipment & Material VerificationReview technical submittals and supporting documentation against ITP requirements and installed equipment. Verify that approved materials, equipment and products are being installed.

Review manufacturers' installation requirements for major mechanical equipment. Confirm through site inspection that equipment has generally been installed in accordance with approved manufacturer requirements. Verify specialist installation requirements including:oAlignmentoLevellingoSettingoVibration isolationoEquipment supportsoAccess requirementsoMaintenance requirementsVerify appropriate labelling and identification of mechanical equipment and systems. Check that equipment and installations are suitably protected from damage, contamination and deterioration during construction.

Coordination & MaintainabilityReview mechanical installations for appropriate coordination, accessibility and maintainability. Confirm access is available to maintainable components including:oValvesoDampersoFiltersoControlsoAccess panelsoEquipmentoOther maintainable componentsIdentify issues where services have been installed in a manner that may restrict access, maintenance or future operation. Identify coordination issues with electrical, architectural, structural and other MEP services.

Attend relevant MEP coordination, quality and subcontractor meetings where technical quality issues require review or resolution. Quality Management & ReportingMaintain an accurate and auditable record of MEP QA activitieS.Maintain the MEP QA dashboard/tracker, recording:oInspections undertakenoOpen QSOsoSnagging itemsoOverdue actionsoClosed itemsoRecurring defectsoTrends by subcontractoroTrends by systemoTrends by areaMonitor recurring defects and workmanship trends. Identify repeated non-conformances and report areas requiring corrective action or additional quality controls.

Provide regular photographic records of inspections, defects and close-out. Prepare regular monthly MEP QA reports summarising:oInspections completedoKey quality concernsoRecurring defectsoOutstanding QSOsoAgeing of open actionsoOverdue itemsoAreas of concernoRisks to completion, testing, commissioning or handoverProvide timely escalation of significant quality concerns to the client. Client & Employer InspectionsPrepare a rolling two-week look-ahead programme of planned client inspections. Coordinate client and Employer inspections with the relevant project teams and subcontractors.

Prepare inspection reports identifying observations, defects and required actions. Coordinate inspection invitations and maintain evidence that the client/Employer was provided with the opportunity to attend. Obtain attendance/sign-off records where required. Maintain all relevant supporting correspondence and inspection records.

Attend and facilitate weekly site quality meetings, providing updates on:oMEP inspectionsoQSOsoDefect statusoInspection progressoOutstanding and overdue actionsoClient inspection sign-offsoRecurring quality issuesoRisks to subsequent worksoTesting and commissioningoCompletion and handover
Progressive HandoverSupport the progressive handover of the mechanical and public health installations. Review outstanding MEP defects and QSOs. Re-inspect items reported as complete and verify satisfactory close-out. Confirm that quality records are complete and auditable.

Identify outstanding issues which may present a risk to testing, commissioning, completion or handover. Support the project team in achieving progressive completion rather than allowing quality issues to accumulate towards the end of the project. Technical Requirements
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of mechanical building services design and installation. They should be able to:Read and interpret detailed mechanical design drawings. Read and understand mechanical design specifications and Employer's Requirements.

Understand design intent and assess whether the physical installation reflects that intent. Review technical submissions and manufacturers' information. Identify discrepancies between drawings, specifications, technical submissions and installed works. Understand HVAC, ventilation, heating, chilled water, domestic water, drainage and associated mechanical systems. Review mechanical plantroom installations. Understand mechanical supports, brackets, fixings and secondary steelwork. Assess accessibility and maintainability of mechanical installations.

Understand installation quality requirements for pipework, ductwork and associated equipment. Identify potential issues before systems become concealed or inaccessible. Understand the requirements associated with testing, commissioning and handover. Identify installation issues which could adversely affect commissioning or system performance. Demonstrate sound engineering judgement when assessing quality issues. Experience & QualificationsEssentialDegree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Building Services Engineering or a related discipline.

Significant experience in mechanical building services. Previous experience in either:oMechanical Design Engineering; oroMechanical QA/QC Engineering or Management with strong technical/design experience. Proven experience reviewing mechanical drawings, specifications and technical submissions. Strong understanding of mechanical building-services installation. Experience working on major construction projects. Experience with progressive inspection and quality assurance. Experience raising and managing quality observations, defects or NCRs through to close-out.

Strong understanding of ITPs and inspection processes. Ability to work independently and provide objective technical assurance. Strong communication and reporting skills. Excellent IT literacy. DesirableExperience on large-scale commercial, hospitality, entertainment or mixed-use developments. Previous experience on an arena, stadium, hotel or complex public building project. Experience with complex HVAC and mechanical plant systems. Experience with plantrooms and central mechanical services. Knowledge of testing and commissioning processes.

Knowledge of relevant British Standards, CIBSE guidance and applicable legislation. Experience using a digital construction/quality management platforms. Experience with BIM and digital coordination platforms. Working knowledge of AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks or similar software. Relevant QA/QC or quality management qualifications. Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status, or working towards professional registration. IT & Digital CompetenceThe role requires a high level of IT and digital competence.

The successful candidate should be comfortable working within a digital construction environment and using:Microsoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookPDF/drawing review softwareDigital document management systemsCommon Data Environments (CDEs)BIM/3D coordination platformsExperience with AutoCAD, Revit and/or Navisworks would be advantageous. The candidate must be able to maintain accurate digital records and produce clear, professional reports and trackers.

Candidate ProfileThe successful candidate will be a technically competent mechanical engineer who can operate confidently between design documentation, site inspection and quality management. We are particularly interested in candidates from one of two backgrounds:Mechanical Design EngineerA mechanical design engineer who has moved into, or has an interest in, technical assurance and site-based quality, and who can apply their understanding of design intent to construction.

Mechanical QA/QC Engineer or ManagerAn experienced mechanical QA/QC professional who has strong technical and design knowledge and is capable of reviewing specifications, drawings and technical submissions rather than simply undertaking checklist-based inspections. In either case, the individual must be able to read the design, understand the specification, inspect the installation and make a technically informed assessment of compliance.

Key Personal AttributesThe successful candidate will be:Technically strong and engineering-ledDesign focused rather than purely inspection focusedThorough and detail orientedConfident reviewing drawings and specificationsComfortable challenging non-conforming workIndependent and objective in their approachProactive in identifying potential issues before they become defectsStrong in communication and stakeholder managementOrganised and methodicalComfortable working directly with subcontractors and project teamsConfident presenting quality issues at project and site meetingsDigitally and IT literateAble to manage multiple inspections, actions and prioritiesPractical and solutions focusedFocused on achieving quality progressively rather than relying on end-of-project inspection