Role Overview
Lead HVAC design for HSR stations (and associated back-of-house facilities), delivering integrated solutions for thermal comfort, ventilation, smoke control interfaces, plantroom design, energy performance, and authority compliance. The role will coordinate closely with architecture, fire/life safety, electrical, plumbing/drainage, and BIM teams to produce coordinated design deliverables through concept to IFC and construction support.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and manage the HVAC Basis of Design, design criteria, calculations, and design assumptions for HSR stations, including public areas, BOH spaces, technical rooms, retail areas (if applicable), and critical rooms (OCC/telecom/UPS/server).
Perform HVAC system selection and design, including as applicable:
Chilled water / DX / VRF systems, AHUs/FAHUs, FCUs, ventilation fans, exhaust systems, pressurization systems
Station concourse/platform ventilation strategies and air distribution (large volume spaces, stratification considerations)
Toilet/kitchen exhaust, car park/ancillary space ventilation (if included), and special ventilation for electrical/UPS/telecom rooms
Size and design airside and waterside systems: load calculations, duct and pipe sizing, static pressure calculations, pump/fan sizing, acoustic criteria coordination, and equipment selection.
Coordinate with Fire Protection / FLS for smoke control and life safety interfaces:
Interface definitions for smoke extraction/pressurization (where applicable), damper logic, stair/lobby pressurization, smoke mode sequences, and cause & effect coordination
Support smoke strategy narratives and ensure HVAC controls reflect the agreed fire scenarios
Prepare coordinated deliverables: plans/sections, schematics, single line diagrams, equipment schedules, plantroom layouts, typical details, MTO/BOQ inputs, and technical specifications.
Integrate HVAC controls philosophy and interfaces with BMS/EMS, including points lists, sequences of operation, alarms, and performance monitoring requirements.
Coordinate with Electrical for power loads, UPS needs (where applicable), MCC/VFD requirements, emergency power interfaces, and earthing.
Coordinate with Architecture for ceiling coordination, shaft allocations, room data sheets, thermal comfort expectations, ventilation air distribution constraints, and maintainability access.
Coordinate with Plumbing/Drainage for condensate drainage, plantroom drainage, and utility interfaces; with Structural/Civil for penetrations, equipment supports, and plantroom constraints.
Ensure compliance with applicable standards and authority requirements, including regional practices (Middle East) where relevant; support authority submissions and comment resolution when required.
Support procurement and delivery: vendor technical evaluations, design review of shop drawings (as required), RFIs, site support, and value engineering while protecting performance and maintainability.
Develop/review testing and commissioning requirements: ITPs, TAB (testing, adjusting, balancing), flushing/chemical cleaning (if CHW), performance testing, and integrated testing with BMS and fire mode sequences.
Apply project QA/QC and governance: design review, interdisciplinary coordination, risk management, and change control across design stages.
Qualifications & Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master’s preferred).
14–16 years HVAC design experience on major projects, with strong preference for rail/metro/HSR stations, airports, or similarly large public buildings with complex interfaces and high footfall.
Strong understanding of HVAC fundamentals and design deliverables: load calculations, duct/pipe sizing, system selection, plant sizing, energy performance, maintainability and operability.
Experience coordinating smoke control interfaces and sequences with FLS/fire engineering teams (even where a specialist fire engineer leads the overall smoke strategy).
Familiarity with common international standards and codes used in the Middle East (project-specific) and demonstrated ability to deliver LOD 300–350 (and above where required) with BIM coordination.
Experience with Design & Build environments and construction support is preferred.
Software
Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, ACC/Autodesk Construction Cloud.
HVAC calculation and selection tools (as applicable):
HAP (Carrier) or equivalent for load calculations
DuctSizer / PipeSizer (or equivalent), fan/pump selection tools
Exposure to IESVE or similar energy modelling tools is preferred (if required by project)
Proficiency in MS Excel for sizing schedules, BOQ/MTO inputs, and calculation summaries; MS Office for specifications and reporting.
