Design Engineering Manager

Universal Business Team; Leeds; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car or car allowance

Bonus opportunity

Free parking

Auto-enrolment pension

Flexible working hours

Team lunches and recognition

Job summary

Universal Business Team seeks an experienced Design Engineering Manager to own design governance, lead a multi‑project design team and drive process maturity. You will ensure high‑quality, coordinated outputs across complex care and healthcare environments.

The role reports to the Operations Director and influences quality, systems, people and future innovation, including exploring AI and offshoring within design.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading a design team within construction, fit-out or specialist environments.
• Strong governance, coordination and assurance for design outputs.
• Excellent client-facing communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the in-house design team, setting clear expectations for quality and delivery.
• Establish robust design management procedures, standards and governance.
• Ensure design compliance with regulations and industry standards.
• Oversee design resource planning, workloads and information release schedules.
• Implement quality checks, KPIs and performance metrics for improvement.
• Support commercial decisions, value engineering and cost control via design.
• Manage design change control to minimise cost and programme impact.
• Act as client-facing technical authority on complex projects and liaise with Project Managers.

Skills

Design leadership

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM

Client liaison

Governance

Education

Chartered or accredited

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

BIM software

Job description

Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 per annum (negotiable DOE) + car or car allowance + Bonus
Hours: 40 hours per week | Monday to Friday (flexible start/finish times)
Location: Wetherby (office‑based), with 1–2 days per week on site nationwide
Holidays: 25 days + 8 bank holidays + birthday off
Benefits:

• Car or car allowance
• Bonus opportunity
• Free on‑site parking
• Auto‑enrolment pension
• Flexible working hours
• Informal rewards (team lunches and recognition for project wins)

The Opportunity

We are recruiting on behalf of a growing, highly respected specialist design‑and‑delivery business operating within complex care, healthcare and specialist environments. Following significant project growth and the expansion of an in‑house BIM/CAD function, the business is now seeking an experienced Design Engineering Manager to take ownership of design governance, team leadership and process maturity - ensuring high‑quality, coordinated design outputs across a high‑volume, multi‑project environment.

This is a pivotal role, reporting into the Operations Director, with real influence over quality, systems, people and future innovation.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will lead and coordinate all design activity across a diverse portfolio of projects ranging in value from £5k to £1m, focused on specialist equipment, hoisting systems, hydrotherapy and integrated environments.

You will provide structure, accountability and technical assurance to an in‑house team of designers, while acting as a key interface between sales, project delivery and clients.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading and managing the in‑house design team, setting clear expectations for quality, performance and delivery
• Establishing and embedding robust design management procedures, standards and governance
• Ensuring design compliance with statutory regulations, industry standards and best practice
• Overseeing design resource planning, workloads, deliverables and information release schedules
• Implementing quality checks, KPIs and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement
• Supporting commercial decision‑making, value engineering and cost control through the design process
• Managing design change control to minimise cost and programme impact
• Acting as a client‑facing technical authority on complex and flagship projects
• Working closely with Project Managers to ensure seamless transition from design to delivery
• Exploring opportunities for AI, automation and potential offshoring within the design function

About You

This role will suit a Design Manager who combines technical credibility with strong people leadership and thrives in a fast‑moving environment where multiple projects run simultaneously.

You will ideally bring:

• Proven experience managing and leading a design team within construction, fit‑out or specialist environments
• Strong understanding of design governance, coordination and assurance
• Confidence reviewing, challenging and coordinating work produced in AutoCAD, Revit and BIM environments
• Commercial awareness with the ability to influence scope, cost and programme decisions
• Excellent communication skills and confidence working directly with clients and senior stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage 50–70 live projects concurrently
• A proactive, improvement‑focused mindset with strong attention to detail
• Experience with COBie, BIM, specialist equipment integration or healthcare environments is beneficial but not essential.
• Chartered or professionally accredited candidates (or those working toward accreditation) are welcomed, as are those with architectural, engineering or technical backgrounds.