Principal Design Manager - Rivers & Coastal

AtkinsRéalis; Epsom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee rewards

Flexible holiday allowances

Training and professional development opportunities

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis seeks a Principal Design Manager – Rivers & Coastal to shape the future of cities and environments. This role involves leading a multi-disciplinary team on water market projects, emphasizing innovative design and quality delivery.

Located in Epsom, the position offers competitive salaries, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities. Join a collaborative culture where everyone feels they belong.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading multi-disciplinary design delivery.
• Ability to identify innovative solutions to design problems.
• Experience in the Water market is essential.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate a team for delivery of technical design work.
• Review technical deliverables such as design reports and calculations.
• Provide mentorship to less experienced colleagues.

Skills

Leadership in design delivery

Coastal infrastructure expertise

Strong communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent

Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer

Job description

Overview

Shape the Future of our cities and environments. Are you a Design Manager of Rivers & Coastal who is passionate about making the world a better place? Are you ready to take up a vital role in some of the UK’s most exciting and innovative projects?

Join Atkins Réalis and take a leading role in shaping the future of our cities and environments. We are looking for an energetic and experienced Principal Design Manager – Rivers & Coastal to join our team within the Design & Advanced Technology (D&AT) Practice. You'll be part of a multi‑disciplinary team delivering iconic projects to Water market clients such as Thames Water, Anglian Water, South East Water, Southern Water and other regional water authorities. You will play a key role in delivering transformational programmes for critical UK infrastructure and may work on landmark engineering projects domestically and internationally. We are committed to industry‑leading solutions throughout the project lifecycle, adding value through client‑side and construction‑phase support.

We foster a diverse and inclusive environment where collaboration is valued and every voice matters. We offer hybrid working (3 days a week office/site based). This position is based in our Epsom, Peterborough or Cambridge offices.

Your role

The role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity to apply knowledge, experience and problem‑solving skills, with good opportunities for career development.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate or manage a team of engineers and scientists for delivery of technical design work on complex multi‑disciplinary projects following relevant national and project specific design codes and standards, and to high‑quality levels in areas such as coastal infrastructure, flood defences, culverts and hydraulic structures.
• Responsible for producing and reviewing technical deliverables such as design reports, drawings, calculations, and scopes of work with defined scope.
• Provide technical input into project design deliverables for coastal infrastructure, river engineering and flood defence aspects of complex multi‑disciplinary projects and work with the project management team to successfully manage time and budgets to key project milestones and programmes.
• Collaborate with client, operational, project or service activities within your immediate team and other related Atkins Réalis teams.
• Provide mentorship to less experienced colleagues and help grow the River and Coastal Engineering capabilities within the local team.
• Work independently with minimal technical guidance. Exercise personal judgement to solve difficult problems where appropriate and provide guidance to junior team members.
• Provide technical support for bid proposals.
• Work closely with a multi‑disciplinary team in the UK and overseas to deliver integrated design solutions.
• Adhere to quality assurance standards in design including checking and reviewing own work and others’.

About You

• A degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent.
• Chartered or Incorporated Civil Engineer.
• Proven experience in leading design delivery, including multidisciplinary design and Design & Build.
• Ability to identify innovative solutions to design problems.
• Knowledge and practical experience of coastal infrastructure, flood walls and embankments, weirs, hydraulic structures, culverts, scour protection, access and accessibility, and construction logistics.
• Proficiency in delivering both traditional engineering and environmentally focused solutions using nature‑based strategies.
• Practical knowledge of current design codes and standards as well as industry best practices, including CDM Regulations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal technical guidance.
• Experience in the Water market is essential; experience in wider markets such as Aviation, Defence, Highways or Energy is desirable.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey technical concepts clearly and effectively within diverse multi‑disciplinary teams.
• Sound commercial, contractual and programme experience.
• A proactive, highly motivated mindset with a collaborative approach to drive teamwork and shared success across projects.

Rewards & benefits

Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a range of benefits that can be tailored to suit your health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Training and professional development opportunities are available. We combine hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance work and personal life.

Security clearance

This role may require security clearance. Offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. Please do not discuss or include in your CV any current or previously held security clearance.

Equal opportunities

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong. We offer flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.