ABOUT SOVEREIGN AI
Sovereign AI is a UK-based AI infrastructure and software solutions provider building the next generation of sovereign-grade AI data centres across EMEA. Designed for resilience, security, and scale, we enable commercial and government customers to deploy advanced AI with confidence in environments where performance, reliability, and compliance are non-negotiable. Focused on regulated and mission-critical sectors including Government, Defence, Healthcare, and Financial Services, we are creating the trusted foundations for AI adoption at scale, combining robust infrastructure with disciplined governance to support long-term innovation and national-level capability.
THIS ROLE
As Mechanical Project Manager, you will lead the engineering and delivery of gas infrastructure and power generation projects — spanning gas turbine installations, high-pressure pipeline systems, and pressure reduction stations — from concept design through to commissioning and start-up. Working within a multidisciplinary project team, you will provide technical oversight of mechanical systems associated with OCGT, CCGT, and gas engine plant, managing equipment suppliers, contractors, and procurement packages across the project lifecycle.
You will join Sovereign AI at a formative stage of its growth, with the opportunity to shape how projects are delivered both in the UK and internationally. For the right individual, this role offers significant scope for progression — building and developing a high-performing team, establishing technical and delivery standards, and helping define the project execution model that will support the company's global expansion. As the organisation scales, you will have the opportunity to influence strategy, drive best practice across multiple regions, and play a central role in delivering the next generation of large-scale digital and energy infrastructure projects.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Develop and lead relationships with equipment suppliers, specialist subcontractors, and engineering contractors, ensuring technical compliance, programme alignment, and quality of deliverables.
Manage procurement activities for mechanical packages, including technical requisitions, supplier bid evaluation, and purchase orders through to delivery.
Review mechanical design documentation, drawings, and calculations produced by consultants or contractors, ensuring alignment with project specifications and applicable standards.
Coordinate mechanical interfaces with civil, electrical, and instrumentation disciplines, proactively identifying and resolving cross-discipline issues.
Manage commissioning and start-up activities for gas turbine, gas engine, and gas infrastructure plant, including pre-commissioning checks, functional testing, and performance verification.
Maintain accurate engineering documentation and technical records throughout the project, contributing to construction and commissioning data packs.
Identify and track mechanical engineering risks, raising issues promptly and proposing practical mitigation actions.
Ensure all mechanical works comply with UK gas regulations and relevant codes and standards (e.g. IGE/UP series, PSSR, DSEAR) and project-specific safety requirements.
Contribute to lessons learned, method statements, and technical close-out documentation as projects progress through key lifecycle stages.
EXPERIENCE
8+ years' experience in mechanical engineering, with a clear track record across design, procurement, and installation phases on energy or industrial infrastructure projects.
Hands-on experience with gas turbines (OCGT and/or CCGT) and/or gas reciprocating engines, at OEM, EPC, or asset owner level.
Demonstrable experience with gas infrastructure systems, including high-pressure gas pipelines, pressure reduction stations, and gas network connections.
Experience managing suppliers, reviewing vendor documentation, and driving equipment procurement packages to delivery.
Background in one or more of: power generation, energy infrastructure, data centres, or industrial facilities.
Experience supporting commissioning and start-up activities for rotating machinery or gas systems is strongly desirable.
Proven ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams in a structured project delivery environment.
SKILLS
Sound technical knowledge of mechanical systems associated with gas power generation, including turbines, gas engines, compressors, heat exchangers, piping, and auxiliary plant.
Demonstrable experience applying UK gas industry codes, standards, and regulations, including IGEM guidance, PSR, PSSR, DSEAR, and pressure reduction installations.
Effective supplier and contractor management skills — able to write specifications, review technical submittals, and hold suppliers to account on quality and schedule.
Strong cross-discipline coordination ability, experienced in managing mechanical interfaces with civil, electrical, and C&I teams in a fast-moving project environment.
Clear technical communicator, able to prepare and present engineering documentation, risk assessments, and status reports for technical and non-technical audiences.
Organised and methodical in managing multiple concurrent workstreams, engineering actions, and document reviews without loss of quality or pace.
Practical, hands-on mindset, with the confidence to resolve engineering issues on site and the judgement to escalate appropriately.
QUALIFICATIONS
Chartered Engineer (CEng) with IMechE or equivalent — or actively working towards chartership.
Gas Safety (Management) Regulations (GS(M)R) awareness, or a relevant gas industry competency qualification, is desirable.
Project management or engineering management training (e.g. APM, ILM) is advantageous.
