Design Manager

Rullion; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing engineering design consultancy is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary projects within the water industry. Responsibilities include managing design teams, ensuring quality technical delivery, and meeting safety expectations. The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience in regulated sectors, proficiency in modern design tools, and a strong capability to foster collaborative team culture. This role allows for a hybrid working arrangement based mainly from the Manchester office.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in the engineering design industry.
• Experience in regulated sectors like Water or Rail.
• Strong IT capability is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor engineers and CAD technicians.
• Lead the design process on multidisciplinary projects.
• Deliver design outputs within agreed timescales and budget.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

BIM

3D modelling

Collaboration

Education

Degree in engineering

HND or equivalent

Tools

Modern design tools

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