Design Manager - DFMA

Laing O'Rourke; Dartford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Laing O'Rourke in Dartford is seeking a Construction Innovation Design Manager (DfMA) to lead the development of industrialised construction products and coordinate multidisciplinary teams. You will drive innovation in digital workflows and manage design processes from concept to delivery, ensuring alignment across engineering and manufacturing efforts.

The ideal candidate will have a background in design management, a strong understanding of DfMA principles, and experience with BIM workflows. Join a forward-thinking team committed to transforming the construction industry.

Qualifications

• Background in design management, product development or technical delivery in construction or manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of DfMA and industrialised construction.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of standardised products, assemblies, and configurable building systems.
• Coordinate across engineering, digital, and manufacturing teams.
• Support BIM-enabled workflows and digital delivery approaches.

Skills

Design management

DfMA understanding

Coordinating multidisciplinary teams

BIM experience

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Product Design, or similar

Tools

Digital design workflows

BIM-to-CAM

Job description

Construction Innovation Design Manager (DfMA)

Location: Technology & Innovation Group, Dartford

The Technology & Innovation (T&I) Group sits at the centre of the Laing O'Rourke group of companies and is a key driver of the transformation of construction. T&I is a highly ambitious, multidisciplinary team bringing together engineering, manufacturing, digital, product development and systems thinking to create the next generation of construction products and delivery models.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Product Development Design Manager (DfMA) to join the Technology & Innovation team.

This role focuses on leading the development of industrialised construction products, configurable building systems and digitally enabled delivery workflows across a range of DfMA initiatives. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams spanning engineering, digital, manufacturing and project delivery to transform traditional construction packages into scalable product platforms.

The role combines product development, design management, digital workflows and manufacturing integration, supporting innovation projects from concept development through prototyping, manufacturing implementation and live project deployment.

In this role, you will:

• Lead development of industrialised construction products and systems.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary product development and technical delivery teams.
• Support BIM-to-manufacturing and design automation workflows.
• Help transform project-based construction into scalable platform-based delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Are you an innovator who wants to help shape how buildings are designed and delivered?

• Lead the development of standardised products, assemblies, and configurable building systems
• Define technical requirements and guide designs from concept through to delivery
• Champion DfMA principles and help embed them into everyday workflows
• Support the shift toward productised, platform-based delivery

Design Management & Coordination

Do you thrive in complex, multidisciplinary environments?

• Coordinate across engineering, digital, and manufacturing teams
• Manage design programmes, deliverables, and key technical reviews
• Oversee system interfaces to ensure seamless integration
• Support prototyping, testing, and real-world implementation on projects

Digital & BIM Workflows

Excited by digital innovation and automation?

• Support BIM-enabled workflows and digital delivery approaches
• Contribute to BIM-to-CAM integration and design automation
• Help develop connected workflows from design through to manufacture and installation

Manufacturing Integration

Can you bridge the gap between design and production?

• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimise designs for fabrication and assembly
• Support production strategies, logistics planning, and assembly methodologies
• Engage with suppliers and specialist partners to deliver practical, buildable solutions

Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to innovation programmes and new delivery models
• Identify opportunities for standardisation, automation, and smarter ways of working
• Promote knowledge sharing and systems thinking across teams

What We're Looking For

Do you have the experience and mindset to drive change?

Essential:

• Background in design management, product development, or technical delivery (construction or manufacturing)
• Strong understanding of DfMA and industrialised construction
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams
• Working knowledge of BIM and digital design workflows
• Understanding of fabrication, manufacturing, or assembly processes
• Strong communication, organisation, and problem-solving skills
• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Product Design, or similar

Desirable:

• Experience with modular, off-site, MEP, façade, or precast systems
• Exposure to BIM-to-CAM or digital manufacturing
• Knowledge of computational or parametric design
• Experience with product platforms, configurators, or automation tools
• Collaboration with manufacturing or production engineering teams

About Laing O'Rourke

Laing O'Rourke is an international engineering and construction business known for pushing boundaries in digital engineering, modern methods of construction and sustainable delivery. With more than 150 years of heritage, we are committed to creating environments in which diverse teams can excel and thrive.

Accessibility & Inclusion

We are proud to be part of the Disability Confident scheme. If you meet the essential criteria and would like to be considered through our Offer an Interview scheme, please let us know. We’re also happy to provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.

If you require an alternative format of this advert or need support during the application, please contact: [e-mail]