Civil Design Engineering Manager

ZipRecruiter; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment platform is looking for an experienced Civil Design Engineering Manager to lead and grow their civil engineering function. This role entails managing projects within the renewable energy sector while ensuring compliance with UK standards. The ideal candidate has at least 8 years of experience in civil design and strong leadership skills, along with proficiency in relevant software tools.

Benefits

Competitive salary and benefits package

Support for continued professional development

Dynamic work environment

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in civil design for HV substations or renewable energy.
• Chartered (CEng, MICE, MIStructE) or working towards chartership.
• Proven experience managing technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead civil engineering design for renewable EPC projects.
• Build and manage an in-house civil design team.
• Implement and manage digital tools for design workflows.

Skills

Design leadership

Team development

Civil design software proficiency

Knowledge of UK standards

Project coordination

Education

Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (BEng/MEng)

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

STAAD

Tekla

Job description

Overview

Title: Civil Design Engineering Manager

Location: Greater Glasgow Area (Hybrid)

Job Type: Full-Time | Permanent

Industry: Renewable Energy / Infrastructure / EPC

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Civil Design Engineering Manager to lead, grow, and shape our internal civil engineering function. This role goes beyond traditional design management — offering the opportunity to establish technical standards, build a high-performing team, and define how civil works are delivered across a portfolio of BESS and renewable EPC projects.

You will play a central role in project delivery, team development, and innovation — ensuring that our designs are compliant, constructible, cost-effective, and future-ready.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Build and manage an in-house civil design team (engineers, CAD/BIM technicians).
• Recruit, mentor, and train staff with a focus on renewable infrastructure and BESS-specific requirements.
• Act as a technical mentor, supporting junior engineers in design best practices and software tools.
• Foster a collaborative, knowledge-sharing environment with high technical standards.
• Define internal civil design workflows, QA/QC processes, and technical standards.

Design & Technical Delivery

• Lead civil engineering design for grid-scale BESS and renewable EPC projects, including:
• Site layout and master planning.
• Foundations and plinths for enclosures and switchgear.
• Surface water drainage and SuDS-compliant systems.
• HV/LV cable trenching and ducting layouts.
• Access roads, hardstandings, and earthworks balancing.
• Review and approve internal and third-party civil design deliverables.
• Drive innovation in design to improve constructability, sustainability, and cost efficiency.

Systems & Processes

• Implement and manage digital tools (e.g., Procore, Civil 3D, BIM) for version control and design workflows.
• Standardise templates, checklists, and formats for consistent design delivery.
• Promote digital collaboration and integrated design processes across teams.

Project Coordination

• Work closely with electrical and mechanical engineering leads to ensure coordinated, multi-disciplinary designs.
• Support procurement with technical specifications and contractor assessments.
• Provide technical input during construction, resolving design queries and managing change.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure designs adhere to UK regulations (Eurocodes, BS standards, CDM).
• Lead design risk assessments and constructability reviews.
• Promote health and safety principles throughout the design and delivery process.

First-Year Objectives

• Team Development: Build the civil design function from the ground up, including recruiting key roles and setting up reporting structures.
• Standards & QA: Define and roll out standardised design processes, approval workflows, and QA/QC protocols.
• Project Delivery: Deliver civil design packages for at least 30MW of early-stage BESS projects.
• Integration: Formalise coordination processes with electrical/mechanical teams, introducing BIM-based workflows where applicable.
• Training & Culture: Launch upskilling initiatives for junior team members, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
• Strategic Input: Identify cost savings, construction optimisations, and sustainability improvements across projects.

Candidate Profile

Essential:

• Degree-qualified in Civil or Structural Engineering (BEng/MEng).
• Chartered (CEng, MICE, MIStructE) or working towards chartership.
• 8+ years of relevant experience in civil design, ideally for HV substations, BESS, or renewable energy infrastructure.
• Proven experience managing and growing technical teams.
• Strong design leadership, team development, and mentoring skills.
• Proficient with civil design software (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D, STAAD, Tekla).
• Knowledge of EPC delivery models and multi-disciplinary coordination.
• Familiarity with UK building regulations, CDM, Eurocodes, and BS standards.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites as required.

Desirable:

• Experience setting up internal design functions or transitioning from external consultant-led models.
• Familiarity with design collaboration platforms (e.g., Procore, BIM360, Civil 3D workflows).
• Understanding of UK DNO/TSO civil design specifications.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Strategic leadership role with influence across the full EPC lifecycle.
• Opportunity to shape and grow a civil design function from the ground up.
• A dynamic and supportive work environment that values innovation, initiative, and collaboration.
• Support for continued professional development, chartership, and leadership training.