Physical Security Technical Design Manager Smart Buildings · Birmingham ·
Ethos Engineering
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Ethos Engineering is seeking a Physical Security Technical Design Manager to act as the technical authority for Physical Security Engineering within the Smart Buildings team. You will lead engineering design across CCTV, access control, IDS, PIDS, SMS/PSIM, and security networks.
This role includes mentoring engineers, developing internal technical standards, overseeing design reviews, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Qualifications
- Degree in Engineering or related discipline.
- Extensive experience designing integrated physical security systems for mission-critical facilities, hyperscale data centres or critical infrastructure.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects within a consultancy environment.
- Strong experience delivering RIBA Stage 2–5 (or equivalent) design packages and leading technical assurance activities.
Responsibilities
- Act as the technical authority for all Physical Security Engineering projects across the business.
- Chair technical design reviews, peer reviews and QA/QC reviews across all projects.
- Define and continuously improve the technical design processes used across the Physical Security discipline.
- Lead engineering workshops with clients, operators, contractors and specialist vendors to develop technically robust security solutions.
- Review specialist supplier proposals and technical submissions to ensure compliance with project requirements.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Ethos is a collaborative team of engineers, consultants, and creative thinkers designing and delivering data centre and energy infrastructure across the world's most dynamic markets. As a multidisciplinary consultancy, we combine technical expertise, creativity, and integrated delivery to lead complex, mission-critical projects.
Built on strong relationships, clear leadership, and a can-do mindset, Ethos is entering an exciting phase of growth, expanding our capabilities and taking on increasingly high-impact projects across EMEA and beyond.
Sustainability guides how we design, collaborate, and deliver, creating innovative solutions and lasting value for our clients and communities — making Performance Made Possible.
The Physical Security Technical Design Manager is the technical authority for Physical Security Engineering within the Smart Buildings team. The role is responsible for establishing and maintaining engineering excellence across all physical security projects by ensuring every design produced by the team meets the highest standards of technical accuracy, compliance, coordination and operational performance.
Working across multiple projects simultaneously, the Technical Design Manager provides technical leadership throughout the entire project lifecycle, overseeing security strategies, engineering methodologies, design standards, technical reviews and quality assurance processes. They are responsible for ensuring consistency across all deliverables while driving continual improvement in design quality, technical capability and innovation.
As the recognised Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Physical Security, the role requires exceptional knowledge of integrated security systems, international design standards, critical infrastructure security principles and emerging technologies. The successful candidate will mentor engineering teams, support complex client engagements, develop internal technical standards and ensure all security designs reflect current industry’s best practice and operational requirements.
Responsibilities
- Act as the technical authority for all Physical Security Engineering projects across the business.
- Provide technical leadership throughout the design lifecycle from concept through detailed design, construction support and project close-out.
- Establish and maintain engineering design standards, technical guidance documents, templates and best practice methodologies.
- Define and continuously improve the technical design processes used across the Physical Security discipline.
- Lead the development of innovative engineering solutions for complex and mission-critical facilities.
- Oversee the technical accuracy, completeness and consistency of every physical security design produced by the team.
- Chair technical design reviews, peer reviews and QA/QC reviews across all projects.
- Ensure all designs comply with relevant legislation, European & British Standards, International Standards and client-specific design requirements.
- Provide final technical approval for security design documentation prior to client issue.
- Identify technical risks and ensure appropriate engineering solutions are implemented.
- Develop and maintain technical review checklists, design assurance procedures and governance frameworks.
- CCTV
- Access Control
- Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS)
- Intrusion Detection Systems
- Intercom
- Security Management Systems (SMS/PSIM)
- Security Networks
- Review and validate security strategies, system architectures, calculations, specifications, schedules, schematics and detailed design drawings.
- Ensure coordinated multidisciplinary design integration with ICT, Electrical, Mechanical, Architectural, Civil and Structural engineering teams.
- Lead engineering workshops with clients, operators, contractors and specialist vendors to develop technically robust security solutions.
- Review specialist supplier proposals and technical submissions to ensure compliance with project requirements.
- Maintain expert knowledge of emerging security technologies, international standards and evolving industry best practice.
- Monitor changes to legislation, regulations and standards affecting physical security design.
- Develop internal engineering standards aligned with recognised industry frameworks.
- Drive standardisation across design documentation, specifications and technical deliverables.
- Represent the business on industry working groups, technical committees and professional forums where appropriate.
- Mentor and develop Senior Engineers, Design Engineers and Graduate Engineers.
- Provide technical coaching and guidance across the engineering team.
- Support competency development and technical training programmes.
- Promote a culture of engineering excellence, innovation and continual learning.
- Assist with technical recruitment and capability development.
- Provide technical support to project teams throughout design, procurement and construction.
- Support client presentations, technical workshops and engineering reviews.
- Resolve complex technical issues during design and construction.
- Support commissioning strategies, witness testing and system acceptance where required.
- Assist commercial teams with technical input into proposals and bids
- Degree in Engineering or a related discipline.
- Extensive experience designing integrated physical security systems for mission-critical facilities, hyperscale data centres or critical infrastructure.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects within a consultancy environment.
- Strong experience delivering RIBA Stage 2–5 (or equivalent) design packages and leading technical assurance activities.
- Strong knowledge of: Integrated CCTV, Access Control, IDS, PIDS, Intercom and SMS/PSIM systems
- Security network architecture and structured cabling
- Video analytics, biometrics and security integration platforms
- Defence in Depth, layered security, TVRA, security zoning and operational concepts
- Critical infrastructure protection and high-security facilities
- Good understanding of BIM, Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam and IP networking.
- Expert design review and technical assurance capability.
Excellent understanding of key industry standards, including:
- EN 62676
- EN 60839 Series
- EN 50131
- EN 50600
- ISO 27001
- NIS2
- NPSA guidance
- Relevant IEC, BS and EN standards
- Strong multidisciplinary coordination and stakeholder management.
- Excellent specification writing and technical reporting skills.
- Strong communication, mentoring and leadership skills.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) or working towards chartership.
- ASIS PSP, CPP or equivalent certification.
- Membership of IET, ASIS, Security Institute, BICSI or similar.
- Experience developing engineering standards or contributing to industry guidance.
- Experience in hyperscale data centres, defence, healthcare or critical infrastructure projects.
- Knowledge of Digital Engineering, BIM, Digital Twins and Smart Buildings.
- Join collaborative leaders – Work alongside experienced, approachable professionals who combine technical excellence with calm, supportive leadership.
- Make a real impact – Contribute to mission-critical infrastructure projects that support the digital and energy transition across EMEA and beyond.
- Grow with us – As a rapidly growing consultancy, we offer opportunities to develop your skills, broaden your experience, and build your career.
- Shape a more sustainable future – Sustainability isn't an initiative—it's embedded in every project, every discipline, and every decision we make.
We offer:
- Flexible Fridays and a 9-day fortnight working schedule — enjoy every second Friday off to maintain work–life balance.
- A culture that values flexibility, learning, and teamwork, with clear progression pathways and support toward professional accreditation.
- Opportunities to work alongside some of the most experienced engineers in the industry, within a forward-thinking, technology-driven consultancy.
Benefits:
- Flexible working times
- 25 Days holidays
- Pension Scheme
- Refer a Friend scheme
- Subsidised Health Insurance Allowance
- Working travel out-of-pocket expenses
- Regular training/mentoring / further college support
- Support for Chartership
- A Professional Subscription Fee paid by the company
- Paid Statutory Leaves
- Heavily subsidised social committee
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