Design Manager

Rullion; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Rullion is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary design projects in the water sector. The role is based mainly from the Manchester office with flexible hybrid working and can be permanent or outside IR35 contract, full time.

You will manage design teams, drive BIM and 3D modelling, and ensure delivery within safety, quality, and programme constraints. Candidates should have 10+ years in regulated engineering design and a degree in engineering; chartered status is

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years' experience in engineering design within regulated sectors.
• Water sector experience is essential.
• Degree, HND, or equivalent in an engineering discipline.
• Strong IT skills and familiarity with modern design tools.

Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and develop engineers and CAD staff.
• Grow the design team and foster collaboration.
• Lead design processes on multidisciplinary water projects.
• Shape and improve design processes and standards.
• Ensure design work aligns with agreed processes and standards.
• Drive adoption of BIM and 3D modelling.
• Ensure safety, quality, and integration of design outputs.
• Deliver outputs within timescales and budgeted hours.
• Record and manage design changes.
• Assist with estimating design hours and resources.

Skills

Design leadership

Mentoring

Water industry

Regulated sector experience

Team development

Education

Engineering degree

Chartered status preferred

Tools

BIM

3D modelling

CAD software

Job description

Design Manager - Water

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to work for our growing engineering design consultancy. You will lead and deliver multidisciplinary design projects within the water industry. This is a key leadership role, responsible for managing design teams, ensuring high-quality technical delivery, and meeting programme and safety expectations across regulated infrastructure projects.

THE ROLE CAN BE PERMANENT OR CONTRACT (OUTSIDE IR35), FULL TIME AND BASED MAINLY FROM THE MANCHESTER OFFICE, HOWEVER HYBRID WORKING ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE DISCUSSED.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and develop engineers, CAD technicians, and graduate staff
• Grow the design team while fostering a positive, collaborative working culture
• Lead the design process on complex, multidisciplinary water industry projects
• Shape, challenge, and continuously improve design processes and procedures
• Ensure all design work is undertaken in line with agreed processes and standards
• Drive the adoption of appropriate software tools, including BIM and 3D modelling
• Ensure design deliverables meet all safety, quality, and integration requirements
• Deliver design outputs within agreed timescales and budgeted hours
• Ensure best practice, relevant standards, and suitable software tools are used
• Accurately record and manage design changes
• Assist with estimating design hours and resource requirements

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 10 years' experience in the engineering design industry within a regulated sector, such as:
• Water (essential)
• Rail
• Oil & Gas
• Nuclear
• Highways
• Bridges
• Degree, HND, or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline
• Strong IT capability and familiarity with modern design tools

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated success managing multidisciplinary design teams and projects
• Experience developing junior engineers and building team capability
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle