Engineering Director

United Living Group; Warrington; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

United Living Group is seeking a Chartered Engineer to lead the Engineering Design Hub, shaping structure, processes, KPIs and tools to support Tier‑1 scale. You will own Design Authority and governance, driving constructability, operability and whole‑life performance across multidisciplinary designs.

You will also mentor a high‑performing team, advance digital engineering (BIM/CDE, data standards), and engage with FEED projects and network operators to de‑risk delivery.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer with energy/utilities infrastructure experience.
• Proven FEED/EPC design leadership across large multidisciplinary programmes.
• UK/EU regulations and utility frameworks (CDM, NERS) expertise.
• Familiarity with codes for pipelines and trenchless methods.
• Leadership balancing rigour with pragmatism to coach and inspire teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and mature Engineering Design Hub structure, processes, KPIs and tools.
• Own design standards, gates and whole-life performance across disciplines.
• Lead complex interfaces and design readiness reviews to de-risk major programmes.
• Grow and mentor discipline leads and engineers; establish competency frameworks.
• Advance digital engineering adoption (BIM/CDE, data standards).
• Provide technical counsel during FEED and coordinate with network operators.

Skills

FEED leadership

Design Authority

Cross-disciplinary leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng)

Tools

BIM/CDE

ISO 9001/14001/45001

ASME B31.8/API 1104

CDM/NERS regulations

Job description

• Build the function: Establish and mature the Engineering Design Hub—structure, processes, KPIs, tools, and ways of working to support Tier‑1 scale and differentiation.
• Design Authority & governance: Own engineering standards and design assurance gates. Drive constructability, operability, and whole‑life performance across multidisciplinary designs.
• Portfolio assurance: Guide teams through complex interfaces (e.g., trenchless crossings, AGIs/BVSs, third‑party approvals), chair design reviews/readiness checks, and de‑risk delivery on major programmes.
• People & capability: Grow and mentor a high‑performing team of discipline leads and principal engineers; set competency frameworks and progression pathways; champion chartership and continuous learning.
• Digital & innovation: Accelerate adoption of digital engineering (BIM/CDE, analytics, data standards) to improve quality, traceability and productivity.
• Client & stakeholder engagement: Provide trusted technical counsel during FEED, shape scopes with UK network owners/operators, and resolve multi‑agency interfaces (e.g., rail and utility crossings).

Job Description

• Build the function: Establish and mature the Engineering Design Hub—structure, processes, KPIs, tools, and ways of working to support Tier‑1 scale and differentiation.
• Design Authority & governance: Own engineering standards and design assurance gates. Drive constructability, operability, and whole‑life performance across multidisciplinary designs.
• Portfolio assurance: Guide teams through complex interfaces (e.g., trenchless crossings, AGIs/BVSs, third‑party approvals), chair design reviews/readiness checks, and de‑risk delivery on major programmes.
• People & capability: Grow and mentor a high‑performing team of discipline leads and principal engineers; set competency frameworks and progression pathways; champion chartership and continuous learning.
• Digital & innovation: Accelerate adoption of digital engineering (BIM/CDE, analytics, data standards) to improve quality, traceability and productivity.
• Client & stakeholder engagement: Provide trusted technical counsel during FEED, shape scopes with UK network owners/operators, and resolve multi‑agency interfaces (e.g., rail and utility crossings).

What success looks like (first 12 months)

• Design maturity: Higher first‑pass approvals and fewer late design changes through robust assurance gates.
• Safety & quality outcomes: Strong leading indicators, timely closure of findings, and demonstrable alignment with ISO 9001/14001/45001.
• Delivery confidence: Smoother path from FEED to IFC and into construction; predictable programme control; reduced rework and variation exposure.
• Capability growth: A motivated team with clear competencies, mentoring and chartership pathways—ready to scale with our pipeline.
• Client trust: Positive technical acceptance, clean interfaces, and repeat business driven by dependable engineering leadership.

Qualifications

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) (Mechanical, Civil/Structural, EC&I or related) with experience in energy/utilities infrastructure.
• Proven leadership of FEED and EPC design on large, multidisciplinary programmes—able to act as Design Authority and set standards across disciplines.
• Command of UK/EU regulations and utility frameworks (e.g., CDM, NERS) and practical know‑how embedding management systems (ISO 9001/14001/45001).
• Familiarity with relevant codes/standards for pipelines and associated assets (e.g., ASME B31.8, BS 4515‑1, API 1104, ISO 21809) and the construction methods that bring designs to life (including trenchless works).
• A leadership style that balances rigour with pragmatism—able to coach, challenge and inspire teams and partners to deliver outstanding results.

Additional Information

This role will be based out of Warrington with exposure to our site based operations