Design Manager - Water Sector

STANTEC; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Newcastle upon Tyne is seeking a Design Manager to lead water infrastructure projects. You will manage a talented team and work on innovative solutions while collaborating with key clients across the UK. This role requires a degree in engineering and the ability to inspire teams. The company offers various levels of seniority and support for career development.

Qualifications

• Degree-qualified engineer with a passion for solving engineering problems.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Confidence to drive challenging solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to deliver impactful water projects from concept to design.
• Collaborate closely with clients and guide your team.
• Ensure best value and service excellence in project delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Problem solving

Technical expertise in Civil, MEI, C, Process

Education

Degree in engineering

Chartered status or membership to a relevant engineering institution

Job description

Do you want to play a leading role in shaping the future of our water infrastructure, right here in the North East? We’re a leading engineering consultancy on a mission to tackle the water industry's biggest challenges. As a Design Manager in our Newcastle office, you’ll be at the heart of our Major Projects team, using your expertise to deliver sustainable and innovative solutions that protect communities and the environment.

A Career with Real-World Impact

• Lead a talented team to deliver impactful water projects, from initial concept to detailed design. You’ll foster a collaborative and innovative environment where new ideas are welcomed.
• Work on award‑winning initiatives like Hull and East Riding’s Living with Water partnership and the Clifton Integrated Constructed Wetland. You’ll be involved in a variety of projects across clean water, wastewater, flood risk, and urban drainage.
• Influence the future of the industry by partnering with major clients across the UK, including Northumbrian Water’s Strategic Technical Partnership and Yorkshire Water’s Storm Overflow Alliance.

This role is more than just leading a project—it’s about making a difference. You’ll identify innovative solutions that minimise environmental impact and champion sustainable development, delivering infrastructure that is resilient to climate change.

Your Role and Our Commitment

As a Design Manager, you will be the technical lead, working alongside the Project Manager to ensure we deliver best value and service excellence. You’ll be responsible for planning and leading the technical delivery of projects, collaborating closely with clients, and guiding your multidisciplinary team every step of the way. You’ll also have direct access to our world‑class global network of experts, providing you with the tools and knowledge to deliver leading‑edge designs.

About You

We are looking for someone who has a passion for solving engineering problems, the ability to lead and inspire, and the confidence to drive through challenging solutions.

You will be a degree‑qualified engineer, ideally holding chartered status or membership to a relevant engineering institution such as ICE. Support can be provided to achieve this if required. You will have the ability to lead multidisciplinary engineering teams, with strong technical expertise in the likes of Civil, MEI, C, Process or other relevant disciplines.

We have opportunities for differing levels of seniority, so if you are looking to develop your leadership career, we’ll support you on your journey.

About Stantec

The Stantec community unites more than 34,000 employees working in over 450 locations across 6 continents. We have been working with our clients and communities in the UK for over 150 years. We plan, design, deliver and manage the development and infrastructure needed to support the creation of sustainable, healthy and prosperous communities.

Our teams provide effective and relevant solutions, translating our clients’ vision into valued consents, deliverable plans for projects and programmes, and efficient designs for delivery, based on technical excellence and deep market insights. We deal with today’s challenges, but also keep a fairer, better tomorrow in sight, looking at how we deliver clean growth, support radical changes in our economy and meet the needs of future communities.

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment.

Building an inspired, inclusive work environment that attracts, supports, and develops world‑class talent is a crucial key to our success. If you are excited by this role but worry that your experience doesn’t exactly align, we encourage you to apply. At Stantec we want you to perform your best at every stage of the recruitment process and are committed to ensuring it is accessible to all. If you need any support or require adjustments to be made then please contact [e-mail] and we will talk to you about how we can support you.