Design Manager – Energy & Water Resources

Arup; Whitehaven; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit Share

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Accident insurance

Income protection

Job summary

Arup is seeking a Design Manager in Leeds, Manchester or Whitehaven to support our Energy, Water & Resources UK practice, with a focus on the nuclear sector. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee design delivery, and ensure technical assurance meets UK regulatory standards.

The role blends technical expertise with strategic thinking, involves mentoring colleagues, developing client relationships and supporting bids and client engagement across the UK, EIMEA and globally.

Qualifications

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, science or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation, or demonstration of working towards this.
• Demonstrated experience in design and project management on major projects in the energy, water and / or resources sectors.
• Prior experience in the nuclear industry is beneficial but not essential.
• Ability to report and communicate technical details and concepts to a varied audience.
• Experience building client relationships and contributing to winning work.
• The ability to operate independently while also working effectively within a wider multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing design delivery.
• Managing technical assurance and ensuring projects meet required quality standards.
• Mentoring colleagues and developing client and stakeholder relationships.
• Supporting business development through bids, technical proposals and client engagement.
• Contributing to wider Energy, Water & Resources projects beyond nuclear.

Skills

Leadership

Design management

Stakeholder communication

Client relationship building

Independent working

Nuclear sector knowledge

Education

Master's degree in Engineering or related discipline

Chartered status or working towards

Job description

Why Arup?

Arup's purpose, shared values and collaborative approach has set us apart for 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

Arup has been a key supplier and enabler to the UK nuclear industry for over 50 years. We have long-standing relationships with pivotal parties in the industry, including central and local government agencies, regulatory bodies and the wider nuclear sector supply chain.

We have acted as a technical advisor and designer across nuclear power generation, site decommissioning, and waste management. Our specialists have been working on some of the most challenging industrial sites in Europe helping our clients to modernise complex infrastructure and delivering safe innovative solutions.

Consequently, we support the nuclear industry with new nuclear build, site redevelopment, hazard reduction, decommissioning and waste management projects including long-term geological storage.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Design Manager in Leeds, Manchester or Whitehaven to support the growth of our Energy, Water and Resources Business in the UK, with a particular focus on the nuclear sector.

The role combines technical expertise with strategic thinking, supporting clients from early-stage strategy and planning through to detailed design and helping to position Arup as a trusted advisor on sustainable energy projects across the UK, EIMEA and globally.

Key responsibilities will include leading multidisciplinary teams, overseeing design delivery, managing technical assurance and ensuring projects meet the required quality standards. An understanding of nuclear safety principles and UK regulatory requirements would be beneficial.

The role will also involve mentoring colleagues, developing strong client and stakeholder relationships, and supporting business development through bids, technical proposals and client engagement. There will also be opportunities to contribute to wider Energy, Water & Resources projects beyond nuclear.

Is This Role Right for You?

We are looking for a highly motivated and commercially aware individual with a strong technical foundation and a desire to make a meaningful impact.

We’re Looking For Candidates Who Can Demonstrate

• A master’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, science or a related discipline.
• Chartered status or equivalent professional accreditation, or demonstration of working towards this.
• Demonstrated experience in design and project management on major projects in the energy, water and / or resources sectors.
• Prior experience in the nuclear industry is beneficial but not essential
• Ability to report and communicate technical details and concepts to a varied audience.
• Experience building client relationships and contributing to winning work.
• The ability to operate independently while also working effectively within a wider multidisciplinary team.

Please note, to ensure we remain GDPR compliant do not send your CV directly to us via this email.

What We Offer You

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognises the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.

We also provide Private medical insurance, Life assurance, Accident insurance and Income protection cover. In addition, you’ll have access to flexible benefitsto help you look after all aspects of your wellbeing and give you the freedom and flexibility to find the best solutions for you, your family, and your individual needs.

Different people, shared values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup atwww.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup

We are committed to making our recruitment process and workplaces accessible to all candidates. Please contact [e-mail] let us know if you need any assistance or reasonable adjustments throughout your application or interview process, and/or to perform the essential functions of the role. We will do everything we can to support you.

Our Application Process

To understand what to expect next, please visit https://www.arup.com/careers/arup-careers-uk-application-process

Stay safe online – Arup will never ask for your bank details as part of our recruitment process.

Applications end date: October 23, 2026