Lead Civil Design Engineer

Costain Group PLC; England; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is looking for a Lead Civil Design Engineer for a crucial role in water infrastructure projects. This hybrid position, based in Falmer, requires managing civil design from concepts to construction. The ideal candidate has a degree, team management experience, and a solid understanding of the water sector. Responsibilities include delivering sustainable designs, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, and coordinating with various disciplines. Excellent communication skills and a can-do attitude are essential.

Qualifications

• Degree level education, ideally Chartered.
• Experience in team management in a Design and Build environment.
• Understanding of water treatment and wastewater processes.
• Knowledge of CDM and construction Health & Safety.
• Proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Produce sustainable civil designs that are constructible.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Coordinate with internal and external disciplines.
• Maintain files ensuring BIM compliance.
• Assist in supervising and developing staff.

Skills

Civil design

Team management

Interpersonal skills

Change management

Influencing skills

Education

Degree level education, preferably Chartered

Tools

MS Office

Advanced Excel

Teams

SharePoint

ProjectWise

Job description

Lead Civil Design Engineer – CMDP+ – Southern Water

CMDP+ will deliver critical investment to Water and Wastewater infrastructure across the region for a 7‑year term with an option to extend. The role is a hybrid, based in Falmer (Brighton) 2‑3 days per week. Reporting to the Senior Design Manager, the Lead Civil Design Engineer leads civil design from optioneering through to detail design and construction support across the AMP8 programme of water and wastewater non‑infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Produce cost‑effective, sustainable civil designs that can be constructed and commissioned effectively.
• Ensure compliance with CDM.
• Coordinate designs with all disciplines internal and external to CMDP to benefit the project as a whole.
• Embrace our ‘can do’ culture, delivering against commitments and providing customer satisfaction.
• Consider environmental issues in designs.
• Adopt digital engineering practices.
• Maintain files and records throughout contract duration, ensuring BIM compliance.
• Provide design information to support proposals and estimating.
• Maintain a personal development plan.
• Assist in supervising and developing staff.
• Assist in ensuring a safe working environment for all staff.
• Reduce waste to a minimum from all departmental activities.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree level education, preferably Chartered.
• Line/team management experience in a Design and Build environment.
• Water sector experience with an understanding of water and wastewater treatment processes.
• Working knowledge of CDM and construction Health & Safety.
• Proven track record of delivering on time and to budget.
• A positive, results‑focused, flexible can‑do approach with the ability to influence and motivate others.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Planning, resource management, change management and budget management.
• Line management, performance development, recruitment and appraisal.
• Developed influencing & negotiation skills.
• IT skills including MS Office, advanced Excel, Teams, SharePoint; ProjectWise desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to work in a dynamic working environment.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in Joint Ventures.
• Experience with BIM and digital delivery practices.
• Experience of Off‑Site Manufacture practices.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Willing and able to travel to sites within the region and occasionally to other UK office locations.