Design Manager - C&G - MoD / Defence Building projects

Laing O'Rourke; Manchester; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global engineering and construction company seeks a Civils & Geotechnical Design Manager for Defence projects. This role involves strategic planning and hands-on delivery, ensuring design compliance and quality. Ideal for those passionate about driving innovation in security-critical environments.

Qualifications

• Around 5 years' experience in contractor-side design management.
• Strong experience managing consultants and multi-disciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Champion collaboration to deliver integrated design solutions.
• Drive innovation with digital engineering and BIM.
• Define and manage design scope and change control.

Skills

Design Management

Collaboration

Innovation

Project Delivery

Education

Civil or Geotechnical Engineering

Job description

Design Manager – Civils & Geotechnical (MoD / Defence Projects)
Sale, Manchester (with travel to Worksop & Lincoln) | ️ Defence Infrastructure | Full Time

Are you passionate about design that drives real-world impact?

Do you thrive on delivering end-to-enddesign management in complex environments?

Looking for your next bigchallenge?

Let's talk.

The Opportunity

We're on the lookout for a Civils & Geotechnical Design Manager to join Laing O'Rourke's high-performing team on a cutting-edge portfolio of Ministry of Defence (MoD) projects.

Based from our Northern hub in Sale, with travel to Explore Manufacturing in Worksop and future presence onsite in Lincoln, this role offers an exciting mix of strategic planning and boots-on-the-ground delivery. It's your chance to lead innovative, design-led solutions that push boundaries in security-critical environments.

You'll take ownership of design compliance, programme integration, and quality—ensuring every piece of design information meets our exacting standards for buildability, safety, and performance.

What You'll Be Doing

• Champion collaboration: Support and steer consultants to deliver integrated design solutions that align with both client needs and project strategy.

• Optimise delivery: Enhance design quality, procurement efficiency, and construction outcomes—from first sketch to final handover.

• Drive innovation: Lead the application of digital engineering, BIM, and Laing O'Rourke's design management processes for best-in-class results.

• Own the brief: Define and manage the design scope, oversee change control, and ensure all outputs are technically sound and contractually compliant.

• Feed the future: Capture and share knowledge to continuously improve our Engineering Enterprise and deliver smarter, faster, safer projects.

What You'll Bring

• A degree in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering (or related discipline).

• Around 5 years' experience in contractor-side design management across varied procurement routes and project sectors.

• A background in precast, structural, or civil design is a definite plus.

• Strong experience managing consultants, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, and delivering projects from concept to completion.

• A practical mindset and a passion for Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA).

Not a perfect match?
We're always open to people with transferable skills, a willingness to learn, and a drive to make a difference.

Why Join Laing O'Rourke?

We're a global engineering and construction company, delivering some of the world's most advanced infrastructure and building projects. With over 150 years of heritage, we're known for combining ambition with innovation to get the job done—safely, reliably, and with quality at the core.

If you're looking to do the best work of your career on projects that truly matter, this is your chance.

Everyone's Welcome

As part of the Disability Confident scheme, we guarantee interviews for candidates who meet the essential criteria. Just let us know about any adjustments you need—whether during the recruitment process or once you're on the team.

Need the application in a different format or have questions about accessibility?
Email: [e-mail]

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