Design Manager (Wastewater Infrastructure)

Cowi; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Cowi in the UK is seeking a Design Manager (Wastewater Infrastructure) to lead multidisciplinary teams across AMP8 projects, from concept to construction support.

You will drive TotEx‑driven design, manage budgets and risks, and mentor engineers within a hybrid-working setup spanning Derby, London, York, Glasgow and Bristol.

Qualifications

• Degree in Civil Engineering required.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent practical recognition.
• Extensive experience in wastewater infrastructure design within UK water frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary design teams across AMP8 projects.
• Oversee design delivery from concept through to construction support.
• Promote TotEx‑driven design strategies linked to asset performance and cost.
• Ensure designs are buildable, safe and compliant with CDM regulations.
• Collaborate with clients, contractors and suppliers to align delivery strategies.

Skills

Design leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Team mentoring

UK water sector

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered Engineer (MICE)

Tools

InfoWorks ICM

MicroDrainage

BIM (ISO)

Job description

Design Manager (Wastewater Infrastructure)

Derby, London, York, Glasgow, Bristol

Permanent

Office/Home Hybrid Working

Do you want to be part of a growing Water Design team? Can you lead and inspire multidisciplinary design teams? Are you experienced in delivering wastewater infrastructure solutions within UK water frameworks? Then, read on. This could be the next adventure in your career.

Create Solutions that will enable a better tomorrow

To further expand our Water team, we are looking for a Design Manager (Wastewater Infrastructure) to join us. You’ll be overseeing the design and delivery of wastewater infrastructure projects aligned to AMP8 programmes, supporting water companies in improving network resilience, reducing storm overflows and enhancing environmental performance.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Managing and overseeing the design delivery of wastewater infrastructure projects across all AMP8 stages, from optioneering and concept design through to detailed design and construction support
• Acting as Design Manager within collaborative delivery models (alliances and frameworks), coordinating multidisciplinary teams across civil, mechanical, electrical and ICA disciplines
• Promoting best-for-project and TotEx-driven design strategies that align capital spending with ongoing operational performance for network assets
• Directing the design of wastewater networks, covering gravity sewers, rising mains, pumping stations, CSOs, and stormwater management systems
• Supporting storm overflow reduction and network resilience programmes, including storage solutions, SuDS, and nature-based interventions
• Embedding digital engineering and BIM (ISO ) principles into design delivery, including use of common data environments and digital twins where applicable
• Managing design programmes, resources, risks, and budgets to meet AMP8 delivery targets
• Managing design risk assessments (HAZID, HAZOP) and ensuring safe-by-design principles in accordance with CDM Regulations
• Collaborating with contractors, suppliers, and client teams to ensure designs are buildable, efficient, and aligned with delivery strategies
• Supporting carbon reduction and sustainability objectives, including low-carbon materials, construction techniques, and whole-life optimisation
• Contributing to bids, tenders, and framework opportunities within AMP8 and future investment cycles
• Building and sustaining trusted client relationships as a reliable delivery partner
• Mentoring and developing engineers and designers, building capability to meet AMP8 demands

Your skills. Our team. Together we design the future.

The first step to success in this role is that you are eager to collaborate with the people around you, whether they are colleagues, partners, or customers. Developing ties with others is something you do by acting respectfully and delivering on your promises. And you never get set in your ways but keep exploring new insights and ways to improve.

On top of that, you’ll have:

• A degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
• Acheived Chartered Engineer status (e.g. MICE or equivalent)
• Extensive experience in wastewater infrastructure design within UK water sector frameworks (AMP7/AMP8)
• Demonstrated experience in a Design Manager or senior design leadership role within collaborative environments (alliances, frameworks)
• Experience in the design of sewer networks, rising mains, CSOs, pumping stations, and stormwater management systems
• Demonstrable experience delivering TotEx-driven solutions and understanding of Ofwat regulatory drivers
• A solid understanding of hydraulic modelling and design tools (e.g. InfoWorks ICM, MicroDrainage, or equivalent)
• Experience working under NEC3/NEC4 contracts in a Design Manager or Designer’s PM capacity
• Knowledge of digital engineering, BIM (ISO ), and common data environments
• Thorough knowledge of health and safety in design (CDM Regulations) and how to apply safe-by-design principles
• Strong stakeholder engagement and client-facing skills
• Commercial awareness, including programme and cost control within design delivery