MEP Design Manager

FBR Construction Recruitment; Redhill; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Redhill-based electrical engineering company is seeking a Design Manager (Permanent) in the renewable energy sector. The role involves leading the M&E design team, producing technical drawings, and ensuring projects meet technical and quality standards.

You will manage client requirements, collaborate with other teams, and drive design process improvements while remaining hands-on with design work. The position offers UK market-competitive salary and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Minimum HND in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering (degree preferred).
• At least 3 years of practical M&E design experience in building services or renewable energy.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design function, producing M&E drawings and layouts for E-House projects.
• Manage client requirements and ensure delivery to technical and quality standards.
• Mentor a small team of designers and engineers, establish design standards and processes.

Skills

M&E design

CAD proficiency

Education

HND in Mechanical/Electrical Eng

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

Design Manager - Electrical Engineering / Renewable Energy

Location: Redhill, Surrey

Sector: Electrical Engineering / Renewable Energy

Position: Permanent

Salary : £65,000 - £75,000

The Opportunity

My client is an established electrical engineering business with a history dating back to 1978. Originally specialising in the oil and gas industries, the company has continued to expand its expertise and now operates across the renewable energy, oil and gas sectors internationally.

The business manufactures E-Houses for the UK renewable energy sector, supplying Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractors.

Due to continued growth and exciting opportunities within the business, my client is looking to recruit an experienced Design Manager to lead and develop a small but growing team of mechanical and electrical designers and engineers.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys remaining hands‑on with technical design while taking responsibility for team leadership, project delivery and the development of design processes. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the design function and supporting the company's continued expansion.

The Role

As Design Manager, you will take responsibility for leading the design function, producing technical drawings and engineering documentation, managing client requirements and ensuring projects are delivered to the required technical and quality standards.

Design and Technical Responsibilities

• Act as the lead designer across the business, producing M&E technical drawings, schematics and layouts for E-House projects.
• Prepare substation layouts, single-line diagrams (SLDs), wiring schematics, cable sizing calculations, earthing layouts, protection schemes and cable containment designs.
• Undertake 2D and 3D CAD modelling to support project design, engineering development and client presentations.
• Select and design ancillary equipment, working with subcontractors on HVAC, fire alarms, firefighting systems, lighting and auxiliary services.
• Review technical specifications within tender documentation, identifying design requirements, potential risks and commercial or technical implications.
• Provide technical expertise and guidance to identify, assess and resolve engineering and project challenges.
• Carry out site surveys and feasibility assessments for new and existing projects.
• Review site installations to ensure compliance with design specifications, relevant standards and project requirements.

Project and Client Management

• Liaise with clients and key stakeholders to communicate technical information clearly and effectively, including to non-technical audiences.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, providing technical support throughout the project lifecycle.
• Monitor design progress, identify service issues and implement improvement strategies where required.
• Provide regular progress updates and weekly reports to communicate project status, challenges and proposed solutions.
• Work closely with project management, sales and installation teams to ensure designs are practical, cost-effective and delivered on time.
• Ensure design work meets the required technical specifications, quality standards and project deadlines.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, manage and mentor a small team of mechanical and electrical design engineers, allocating workloads and providing day‑to‑day technical guidance.
• Establish and maintain design standards, procedures and quality benchmarks across the team.
• Identify opportunities to improve design processes, technologies and software to increase efficiency and technical capability.
• Support the continued growth of the design function, including recruitment, onboarding and development of additional engineering staff.
• Encourage collaboration across departments to ensure designs align with operational, commercial and client requirements.
• Maintain a hands‑on approach to design while balancing management responsibilities and supporting the team's professional development.

Requirements

• A minimum HND qualification in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, with a degree‑level qualification preferred.
• At least three years of practical M&E design experience within building services, electrical engineering or the renewable energy sector.
• Experience producing technical drawings, schematics and engineering layouts.
• Strong proficiency in 2D and/or 3D CAD software, such as AutoCAD, Revit or equivalent.
• Previous people management experience, with the ability to combine hands‑on design work with team leadership.
• A good understanding of electrical engineering principles and design standards.
• Knowledge of medium‑voltage switchgear, protection relays and current and voltage transformers (CTs/VTs) would be advantageous.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing accurate, high‑quality design work.
• Strong project management, organisational and workload‑planning skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, negotiate and maintain effective client relationships.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving, continuous improvement and technical development.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join an established and growing electrical engineering business operating in an evolving renewable energy market.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to take ownership of the design function & team, lead a developing engineering team and contribute directly to the delivery of specialist electrical infrastructure projects.