Design Manager - Water

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

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salaries

Employee rewards

Flexible holiday allowances

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis in Manchester seeks a passionate Design Manager to lead influential projects in the water market. You will coordinate a talented team, deliver high-quality design solutions, and mentor junior staff while ensuring effective collaboration across disciplines.

Ideal candidates possess a degree in Civil Engineering and relevant experience in infrastructure projects. We offer competitive salaries, tailored benefits, and opportunities for professional development within a hybrid working environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing an engineering design delivery team.
• Strong knowledge of design management and collaboration.
• Ability to take a broad perspective to find innovative design solutions.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage a multi-disciplinary engineering team.
• Drive production and review of technical deliverables.
• Provide mentorship to junior colleagues.
• Collaborate with clients and internal teams to deliver integrated solutions.

Skills

Project coordination

Technical design

Risk assessment

Quality control

Design management

Communication skills

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering

Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Suite

Power BI

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. You'll be part of a talented, multi‑disciplinary team delivering cutting edge, iconic projects to our Water market clients – United Utilities, Yorkshire Water, Scottish Water, Northern Ireland Water, and other regional water authorities.

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

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, ensuring high‑quality levels in areas such as hydraulics, wastewater and clean water infrastructure, water reuse, and pipelines.
• Drive and oversee the production and review of technical deliverables such as design reports, drawings, calculations, and scopes of work, ensuring consistency and defined scope.
• Provide technical input into project design deliverables for complex multi‑disciplinary projects and work with the project management team to manage time and budgets to key 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 grow the Engineering capabilities within the local team.
• Work independently with minimal guidance, exercising personal judgment to solve difficult problems 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 and that of others.

Qualifications

• A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer.
• Proven experience coordinating or managing an engineering design delivery team for a design consultancy within a multi‑disciplinary environment, collaborating with contractors, across the full project lifecycle.
• Capability to take a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions to design problems.
• 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, industry best practices, including CDM Regulations, Eurocodes, regulatory bodies, water utility standards, NEC, etc.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance.
• Proficiency in analytical software and related tools such as AutoCAD, CDE, MS Suite, Power BI.
• Experience in the Water market is preferred.
• 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.

Benefits

Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. Hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Equal Opportunity

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels they belong – a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. 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.

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.