Process Design Lead - Anaerobic Digestion

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Ludlow; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Annual salary reviews

Company pension

Laptop and phone provided

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Job summary

Glanua is seeking a Process Design Lead for Anaerobic Digestion to drive process and hydraulic design from concept through commissioning. You will lead multi‑disciplinary teams, develop robust design solutions and coordinate with MEICA to ensure integrated, safe and efficient projects.

You will bring substantial AD and process engineering experience, with hands-on ability to mature designs, perform critical calculations and support client relationships across a range of bioresource projects.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in anaerobic digestion or process engineering.
• Minimum Level 8 Honours Degree in Chemical, Water/Wastewater, Environmental or Process Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• CompEx Qualification is a minimum requirement.
• Professional accreditation (e.g., Chartered Engineer) desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead Process & Hydraulic design for anaerobic digestion facilities.
• Coordinate input from MEICA and other disciplines to deliver integrated design.
• Develop PFDs, P&IDs and control philosophies for projects.
• Oversee design reviews, HAZOPs and constructability assessments.
• Support client engagement and project delivery from concept to commissioning.

Skills

Anaerobic digestion

Process engineering

MEICA coordination

PFD/PID design

Digital engineering

Client management

Education

Degree in Chemical/Process Engineering

Chartered Engineer (desirable)

Tools

BIM360

ProjectWise

CDE platforms

Job description

Process Design Lead - Anaerobic Digestion

Glanua

Location: On site / Ludlow, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Engineering | Design
Salary: Negotiable salary

About Marches & Glanua

Glanua is an industry leader in providing innovative and sustainable engineering solutions to design, build, operate and maintain critical water and wastewater infrastructure across Ireland and the UK. We are a trusted provider to the municipal, industrial and pharmaceutical sectors, working with clients including Uisce Éireann (formerly Irish Water), Thames Water, Yorkshire Water, United Utilities and Northern Ireland Water, as well as multinational private clients such as Kerry Group, Diageo, Coca‑Cola and Nestlé.

Marches Biogas, part of the Glanua Group, complements this expertise as a specialist in anaerobic digestion and biogas solutions, delivering renewable energy and resource recovery projects that support the transition to a low‑carbon economy. Together, Marches Biogas and Glanua combine deep technical capability across water, wastewater and bioresource infrastructure, enabling clients to maximise efficiency, reduce environmental impact and unlock sustainable value from waste streams.

Both organisations are passionate about solving today’s environmental challenges and delivering a decarbonised and sustainable world. We recognise that building successful, creative teams requires a diverse workforce capable of driving innovation and new ways of thinking. We provide an environment where individuals have the freedom to develop and grow to their full potential, while championing core values of Safety and Well‑being, Innovation, Integrity, Collaboration, Courage, Agility, Accountability, Diversity and Inclusion in everything we do.

With a talented and growing team of over 600 people across Ireland and the UK, Marches Biogas and Glanua are continuing to expand across multiple disciplines to support ambitious growth plans and deliver sustainable infrastructure for the future.

The Role:

We are seeking a Design Lead for the Process & Hydraulic Engineering discipline specialised in Anaerobic Digestion, Biogas, Sludge & Energy Recovery. In this role, you will play a pivotal part in delivering bioresource infrastructure projects from concept through to construction, commissioning, and operations. You will take ownership of developing robust engineering design solutions that meet client requirements and ensure successful project outcomes through to process commissioning.

Working as part of a multi‑disciplinary engineering team, you will operate within a collaborative “one‑team” culture while actively developing your own technical skills and leadership experience. While your primary focus will be on Process, Mechanical, and Hydraulic Design, you will also engage with and manage inputs and deliverables from other engineering disciplines, including Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation (MEICA), as well as civil and structural engineering.

This role offers exposure to a broad range of multi‑disciplinary engineering challenges, providing a strong platform for professional growth and career progression. You will also have the opportunity to develop client relationships, lead design discussions, and contribute to integrated, high‑quality project delivery across all stages.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

Strategic Design Leadership

• This role is a technical delivery outputs focused position, operating with a high degree of autonomy while working under the direction of the Technical Manager. The Process & Hydraulic Design Lead is responsible for Manage, Coordinate and deliver design outputs for the Groups Bioresource portfolio of design and build projects.
• Develop and maintain a coherent design vision aligned with business objectives and long‑term strategic goals.
• Prioritise and lead high‑impact design initiatives that enhance project outcomes and organisational capability.
• Establish and refine consistent, efficient, and high‑quality design workflows across all projects.
• Promote a culture of innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement within the design function.
• Provide effective line management to the design team, including workload planning, performance management, and resource allocation.
• Mentor, coach, and develop engineers and designers at all levels, enhancing technical capability, decision‑making, and leadership skills.
• Identify skills gaps and deliver structured development plans to build a high‑performing, multidisciplinary team.
• Foster a collaborative, knowledge‑sharing culture that prioritises technical excellence and professional development.

Technical Design, Engineering & Equipment Assessment

• Develop and review process mass balances, water balances, heat balances and energy balances for sludge treatment and anaerobic digestion facilities.
• Develop biogas production, methane yield and CHP energy recovery calculations.
• Design digester heating systems, heat exchangers, sludge recirculation, mechanical, gas and pump mixing systems.
• Specify gas holders, flare systems, H2S removal, condensate management, boilers, CHP integration and biomethane upgrading where applicable.
• Design digestate handling systems including dewatering and liquid fraction treatment.
• Liaise with specialist sub‑contractors on Gas Upgrading requirements and CO2 liquification.
• Undertake ATEX, DSEAR and Hazardous Area Classification assessments in collaboration with process safety specialists.
• Lead or oversee detailed technical assessments of process and mechanical equipment, ensuring appropriate specification, performance, and integration into system designs.
• Manage technical interfaces across MEICA disciplines, coordinating input from Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation teams to produce fully integrated, clash‑free design solutions.
• Work closely with ACC (Advanced Control & Communications) teams to develop intelligent, data‑rich P&IDs and ensure accurate control‑system integration within the design.
• Develop and review process and hydraulic calculations across chemical, physical, and biological treatment processes.
• Produce and oversee technical deliverables, including:
• Process & Mechanical Design Reports
• P&IDs and PFDs
• Equipment selection and specifications
• Whole Life Cost Assessments
• Hydraulic & process calculations
• Water balances
• Energy balances
• Control philosophies and automation logic inputs
• Motor & Instrument Lists
• Constructability Assessments
• Process Commissioning Plans
• Process Impact Plans (PIPs)
• Interface Registers and Decision Logs
• Support development of efficient, safe, and future‑proofed site layouts, ensuring adequate space planning, operability, maintainability and construction access.

Interdisciplinary Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement

• Work as part of a “one team” environment to deliver multiple projects concurrently.
• Collaborate closely with MEICA engineers, Digital team, planners, project managers, and client stakeholders to maintain technical alignment.
• Engage with clients and third‑party agencies to communicate design intent and resolve technical queries efficiently.
• Support contract and project managers in defining project scope, budget, programme and deliverables.
• Design Assurance, Quality & Compliance.
• Develop, review and validate design proposals to ensure compliance with internal standards, client specifications and statutory requirements.
• Monitor design progress against baseline schedules, identifying risks, delays or design constraints that may impact construction or commissioning.
• Participate in design reviews, HAZOPs, ALMs and constructability workshops, ensuring timely resolution of actions.
• Ensure designs incorporate operational, maintenance, lifecycle and whole‑life performance considerations from the outset.
• Lead design constructability assessments and facilitate the development of safe, practical and cost‑efficient construction methodologies in line with CDM Regulations.
• Provide responsive technical support during construction and commissioning to ensure design intent is correctly implemented and validated.
• Liaise with site teams to address technical issues, update drawings and documentation and support testing and commissioning activities.
• Conduct site assessments and produce clear engineering reports with actionable recommendations.
• Develop, manage and validate intelligent P&IDs, ensuring accurate data capture, tagging and integration with automation/control systems.
• Collaborate with the EICA teams on the relevant CDE (ACC) to ensure control, telemetry and automation requirements are fully represented in design outputs.
• Proficiently use the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams etc.) for documentation, reporting, scheduling and technical analysis.
• Support digital workflows and system integration to enhance design quality and efficiency.

Continuous Improvement & Business Support

• Contribute to tender‑stage design proposals, providing innovative and robust technical inputs.
• Capture lessons learned and support continuous improvement of design processes, tools and standards.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of industry standards, regulations, technologies and best practices through continuous professional development (CPD).
• Undertake any additional duties required to support project delivery or organisational needs.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a combination of technical expertise, leadership capability and client‑focused delivery. Key requirements include:

Qualifications & Professional Background

Minimum Level 8 Honours Degree in Chemical, Water/Wastewater, Environmental or Process Engineering, or a

closely related discipline.

Minimum of 12 years’ relevant experience in a similar role, preferably within the anaerobic digestion, or process

CompEx Qualification considered a minimum requirement.

Professional accreditation (e.g., Chartered Engineer status) is desirable.

Technical Knowledge & Expertise

Extensive knowledge of anaerobic digestion, sludge treatment, biogas systems and renewable energy recovery.

Strong expertise in process mass balances, water balances, heat balances and energy balances.

Experience with digester heating, heat exchangers, CHP integration, boilers, gas handling and process safety (ATEX/DSEAR).

Strong expertise in process and hydraulic engineering, including design, calculations and equipment selection for

Proven ability to conduct technical assessments, review contractor proposals and validate designs to ensure

Competent in preparing, reviewing and managing process documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, control philosophies and constructability assessments.

Experience developing site layouts and integrating design solutions across MEICA disciplines (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control & Automation).

Proficient in digital engineering and collaborative platforms such as BIM360, ACC, ProjectWise or similar Common Data Environments (CDEs).

Client Management & Stakeholder Engagement

Strong ability to establish, maintain and manage professional relationships with clients, client representatives and

third‑party stakeholders.

Experience leading design discussions, workshops and presentations to clients, ensuring design intent, programme

and quality expectations are clearly communicated.

Skilled in managing client queries, resolving issues and providing timely updates on project progress and technical

matters.

Ability to mentor, coach and develop junior engineers and designers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and

technical excellence.

Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to develop integrated, innovative

design solutions.

Capable of providing leadership under pressure while delivering high‑quality outputs within programme and budget

constraints.

Personal Attributes & Other Skills

Strong problem‑solving skills, with the ability to adapt to changing project requirements or commissioning challenges.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly to

Highly motivated, proactive and able to work independently while contributing effectively to a team.

What we offer you:

• Competitive base salary with annual salary reviews.
• Monday to Friday working week, finishing early on Fridays.
• Paid annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Incentivisation benefits.
• Company pension
• A company laptop and phone.
• Access to EAP – 24/7, 365 days confidential employee counselling service, free for employees and their families.