Design Manager - Water Experience

Rullion Ltd; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Rullion Ltd in Manchester is seeking an experienced Design Manager to lead multidisciplinary design teams within the water sector. You will drive delivery of regulated infrastructure projects, ensuring safety, quality, and programme alignment.

This role can be permanent or outside IR35 contract, full time with hybrid or Manchester-based working; mentoring engineers, shaping design processes, and advancing BIM and 3D modelling capabilities.

Qualifications

• Degree, HND, or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in the engineering design industry within a regulated sector (water essential).
• Strong IT capability and familiarity with modern design tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor engineers, CAD technicians, and graduate staff.
• Grow the design team and foster a positive, collaborative culture.
• Lead the design process on multidisciplinary water projects.
• Shape, challenge, and improve design processes and procedures.
• Ensure design work aligns with agreed processes and standards.
• Drive adoption of software tools, including BIM and 3D modelling.
• Ensure safety, quality, and integration requirements are met.
• Deliver design outputs within timescales and budgeted hours.
• Record and manage design changes accurately.
• Assist with estimating design hours and resource requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Design review

Communication

BIM

3D modelling

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

BIM

CAD tools

Job description

Design Manager - Water

We are seeking an experienced Design Manager to work for our growing engineering design consultancy. You will lead and deliver multidisciplinary design projects within the water industry. This is a key leadership role, responsible for managing design teams, ensuring high-quality technical delivery, and meeting programme and safety expectations across regulated infrastructure projects.

THE ROLE CAN BE PERMANENT OR CONTRACT (OUTSIDE IR35), FULL TIME AND BASED MAINLY FROM THE MANCHESTER OFFICE, HOWEVER HYBRID WORKING ARRANGEMENTS CAN BE DISCUSSED.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage, mentor, and develop engineers, CAD technicians, and graduate staff
• Grow the design team while fostering a positive, collaborative working culture
• Lead the design process on complex, multidisciplinary water industry projects
• Shape, challenge, and continuously improve design processes and procedures
• Ensure all design work is undertaken in line with agreed processes and standards
• Drive the adoption of appropriate software tools, including BIM and 3D modelling
• Ensure design deliverables meet all safety, quality, and integration requirements
• Deliver design outputs within agreed timescales and budgeted hours
• Ensure best practice, relevant standards, and suitable software tools are used
• Accurately record and manage design changes
• Assist with estimating design hours and resource requirements

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 10 years' experience in the engineering design industry within a regulated sector, such as:
  • Water (essential)
  • Rail
  • Oil & Gas
  • Nuclear
  • Highways
  • Bridges
• Degree, HND, or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline
• Strong IT capability and familiarity with modern design tools

Preferred Qualifications & Experience

• Demonstrated success managing multidisciplinary design teams and projects
• Experience developing junior engineers and building team capability
• Chartered Engineer status or working towards chartership
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle

Rullion celebrates and supports diversity and is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for both employees and applicants.