HEAT NETWORKS DESIGN & QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST – LONDON OFFICE

Location: London

Department: Engineering

Job Type: Full time

Contract Type: Permanent

Passionate about making the world more sustainable? An exciting opportunity to shape the future of heat provision in the UK has arisen for a skilled mechanical engineer with a strong understanding of heating systems and heat networks, who is ready to make a significant impact in a rapidly growing and vital sector.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The UK is on a mission to decarbonise, and heat networks are at the forefront of this critical shift. With government backing and immediate client demand, the market for heat networks is rapidly expanding, projected to grow significantly over the next 10 years. This isn't just about growth; it's about achieving net-zero targets and revolutionising national infrastructure.

The Heat Network Technical Assurance Scheme (HNTAS), coming into force in 2026, will mandate stringent performance and quality requirements for all heat networks. Max Fordham is currently looking to grow a dedicated in-house team to assist clients with delivering and maintaining best in class communal heat networks.

Based in our London office, the Heat Networks Design & Quality Assurance Specialist’s role will be a high-impact, hands-on one, delivering high-quality, compliant heat network solutions. The Specialist will provide direct support to our sector lead, assisting with current and upcoming projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Heat Network Design: Leading or contributing to the design of new build heat networks and the refurbishment or replacement of existing networks, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
• Heat Network Monitoring / Guardian Role: Performing design reviews, reviewing contractor's information, conducting on-site installation monitoring, and carrying out witnessing and acceptance testing to ensure quality and compliance.
• Post-Occupancy Performance Monitoring: Implementing and managing systems for post-occupancy heat network performance monitoring to track real-world efficiency and identify areas for improvement.
• Heat Network Optimisation or Troubleshooting Studies: Conducting optimisation studies for existing networks to enhance efficiency, reduce operating costs, improve reliability, and prove HNTAS compliance.
• Funding Application Support: Assisting clients with applications for heat network funding from government schemes (e.g., Heat Network Efficiency Scheme - HNES).
• Setting the Standard: Development of internal tools (standard schematics, schedules and calculations, testing procedures) for use by others within the Practice. Assisting with the management of the internal heat networks wiki pages. Internal design reviews to ensure standards are maintained across the practice.
• Supervision: Mentoring and managing the output of graduate and junior engineers as the team expands

WHY JOIN US?

At Max Fordham we are working with the built environment to deliver a sustainable future and a thriving planet. Our UK’s leading, award-winning MEP engineering practice is owned by the people who work here and committed to leading the industry in tackling the challenges posed by the climate and biodiversity crises.

Shared responsibility to look after each other, to care for our communities, and to create a sustainable world is our embedded belief and we pride ourselves on providing an open, inclusive and supportive environment for our employees and partners.

Joining our dedicated Heat Networks team will offer you the opportunity to expand your knowledge and career while making a meaningful impact; at the same time, you will be playing an instrumental role in establishing this stream of work and strengthening Max Fordham’s strategic market position by:

• Facilitating New Project Delivery
• Enhancing Reputation
• Championing the practice as essential partners for clients navigating decarbonisation and new regulations.
• Supporting Key Talent.

ABOUT YOU

Your enthusiasm to be at the forefront of a rapidly expanding industry is paramount. As a building services industry professional, you will have a strong understanding of heating systems and heat networks and be proficient of both detailed design assessment and practical on-site troubleshooting.

You are likely to be a Senior Mechanical Engineer, but you may be an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer looking to take the next step in your career.

A motivation to communicate and work collaboratively with others, both internally and externally, is essential, along with:

• Being a Chartered engineer or working towards chartership status.
• A strong understanding of heating systems and heat network design.
• Experience inspecting mechanical installations on site.
• Strong written communication skills with evidence of producing reports that are well-presented and clear.
• Being an effective communicator, comfortable representing the practice in meetings with clients, collaborators and contractors.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Excellent growth opportunities for your personal and career development in a knowledge driven environment
• Mentored support towards professional accreditation
• An annual professional institution subscription
• Interesting and technically challenging projects
• An inclusive culture and cooperative environment
• Opportunities for involvement in business-running activities
• Flexible working arrangements
• Competitive pay and employee bonus
• Future opportunities for Partnership
• Six weeks holiday (including Bank holidays)
• Max Fordham Pension Scheme
• Other benefits include generous paid parental leave, sick pay, and treatment pay.

SALARY – Competitive, dependent on experience

CLOSING DATE – 25th August 2025 at 22:00 (GMT)

HOW TO APPLY

This position is available for an immediate start.

If you are interested in working with us, we are keen to hear from you. In addition to providing your CV, please apply with a conversational letter that tells us how your skills match the role criteria, and your interests align with our vision of a beautifully engineered net zero carbon world for a sustainable future.

To apply, please click the 'Apply for this job' button and follow the application process.

Passionate about making the world more sustainable? An exciting opportunity to shape the future of heat provision in the UK has arisen for a skilled mechanical engineer with a strong understanding of heating systems and heat networks, who is ready to make a significant impact in a rapidly growing and vital sector.

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