Design Manager - Water

AtkinsRéalis; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Employee rewards

Flexible holiday allowances

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is seeking an experienced Design Manager based in the United Kingdom, specifically Bristol. In this role, you will coordinate a team of engineers, oversee design deliverables, and collaborate with clients on multi-disciplinary projects.

The ideal candidate will hold a Civil Engineering degree and be chartered or incorporated. You'll enjoy competitive salaries and benefits, as well as a supportive, inclusive work environment with opportunities for career development.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in coordinating an engineering design delivery team.
• Strong knowledge in quality control, change management, and risk assessment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate or manage a team for technical design work.
• Drive production and review of technical deliverables.
• Provide mentorship to junior team members.
• Collaborate with project management teams.

Skills

Project management

Design management

Team collaboration

Risk assessment

Communication

Analytical software proficiency

Water infrastructure knowledge

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent

Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer

Tools

AutoCAD

Power BI

MS Suite

Job description

Overview

Shape the Future of our cities and environments. Are you a Design Manager who is passionate about making the world a better place? Are you ready to take up a vital role in some of the UK's most exciting and innovative projects? Join AtkinsRéalis and take a leading role in shaping the future of our cities and environments.

We are looking for an energetic and experienced Design Manager to join our team within the Design & Advanced Technology (D&AT) Practice of AtkinsRéalis. You'll be part of a talented, multi‑disciplinary team delivering cutting‑edge, iconic projects to our Water market clients – Wessex Water, Welsh Water, Severn Trent Water, South West Water, Environment Agency and other regional water authorities.

As a key member of our team, you'll play a vital role in delivering transformational programmes for critical UK infrastructure, with opportunities to work on landmark engineering projects both domestically and internationally. We're committed to providing industry‑leading solutions throughout the project lifecycle, adding value through client‑side and construction‑phase support.

Become part of a team where every voice matters, and together we can tackle our clients' toughest challenges. We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where world‑class talent thrives without boundaries. For us, collaboration isn't a buzzword. We value the different perspectives our people bring and recognise everyone for their contributions equally.

We also know that different people have different priorities, which is why we're here to support you with whatever you need.

We offer hybrid working which involves 3 days per week being office/site based. This position is based in our Bristol, Birmingham, Exeter, or Swansea offices.

Your role

The role will offer a challenging and rewarding opportunity to apply knowledge, experience, and problem‑solving skills whilst providing good opportunities for career development.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate or manage a team of engineers for delivery of technical design work on multi‑disciplinary projects following relevant national and project specific design codes and standards, and to high‑quality levels in areas such as hydraulics, wastewater and clean water infrastructure, water reuse, and pipelines.
• Drive and oversee the production and reviewing of technical deliverables such as design reports, drawings, calculations, and scopes of work with defined scope and ensuring consistency.
• Provide technical input into project design deliverables for aspects of complex multi‑disciplinary projects and work with the project management team to successfully manage time and budgets to key project milestones and programmes.
• Collaborate with client, operational, project, or service activities within your immediate team and other related AtkinsRéalis teams.
• Provide mentorship to less experienced colleagues and help to grow the Engineering capabilities within the local team.
• Work independently with minimal guidance. Exercise personal judgement to solve difficult problems where appropriate and provide guidance to junior team members.
• Provide technical and delivery support for bid proposals.
• Work closely with a multi‑disciplinary team in the UK and overseas to deliver integrated design solutions.
• Adhere to quality assurance standards in design including checking and reviewing own work as well as others.

About You

• A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer.
• Proven experience in coordinating or managing an engineering design delivery team for a design consultancy including within a multi‑disciplinary environment, collaborating with contractors, and the ability and knowledge to deliver across the full project lifecycle.
• Takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions to design problems.
• Requires strong knowledge and practical experience in risk assessment, quality control, change management, commercial awareness, design management and collaboration with key disciplines involved in water infrastructure design and delivery, e.g. MEICA, structures, geotechnics.
• Practical knowledge of current design codes and standards as well as industry best practices including CDM Regulations, Eurocodes, regulatory bodies, water utility standards, NEC, etc.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance.
• Proficiency in applicable analytical software and related tools such as AutoCAD, CDE’s, MS Suite, Power BI.
• Experience in Water market is preferred.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly and effectively within diverse multi‑disciplinary teams.
• A proactive, highly motivated mindset with a collaborative approach to drive teamwork and shared success across projects.

Rewards & benefits

Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. Combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

About AtkinsRéalis

We’re AtkinsRéalis, a world‑class engineering services and nuclear organisation. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world’s infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world.

We’re committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

Diversity and inclusion

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.