Wastewater Design Leader — Resilient Networks & BIM

COWI A/S; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

Career development plans

Private health care

Hybrid working

Professional membership fees paid

Pension salary exchange

Life assurance

Job summary

COWI is seeking a Design Manager (Wastewater Infrastructure) in the UK to lead and oversee the design and delivery of wastewater infrastructure projects through AMP8. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, drive TotEx-aligned design strategies, and ensure safe-by-design principles across CDM regulations.

Join a collaborative environment where BIM (ISO 19650) and digital engineering are embedded, with opportunities to mentor engineers, support bids, and build strong client relationships.

Qualifications

• A degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.
• Acheived Chartered Engineer status (e.g. MICE or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in wastewater infrastructure design within UK water sector frameworks (AMP7/AMP8).
• Demonstrated experience in a Design Manager or senior design leadership role within collaborative environments (alliances, frameworks).
• Experience in the design of sewer networks, rising mains, CSOs, pumping stations, and stormwater management systems.
• Demonstrable experience delivering TotEx-driven solutions and understanding of Ofwat regulatory drivers.
• A solid understanding of hydraulic modelling and design tools (e.g. InfoWorks ICM, MicroDrainage, or equivalent).
• Experience working under NEC3/NEC4 contracts in a Design Manager or Designer’s PM capacity.
• Knowledge of digital engineering, BIM (ISO 19650), and common data environments.
• Thorough knowledge of health and safety in design (CDM Regulations) and how to apply safe-by-design principles
• Strong stakeholder engagement and client-facing skills
• Commercial awareness, including programme and cost control within design delivery.

Responsibilities

• Managing and overseeing the design delivery of wastewater infrastructure projects across all AMP8 stages, from optioneering and concept design through to detailed design and construction support.
• Acting as Design Manager within collaborative delivery models (alliances and frameworks), coordinating multidisciplinary teams across civil, mechanical, electrical and ICA disciplines.
• Promoting best-for-project and TotEx-driven design strategies that align capital spending with ongoing operational performance for network assets.
• Directing the design of wastewater networks, covering gravity sewers, rising mains, pumping stations, CSOs, and stormwater management systems.
• Supporting storm overflow reduction and network resilience programmes, including storage solutions, SuDS, and nature-based interventions.
• Embedding digital engineering and BIM (ISO 19650) principles into design delivery, including use of common data environments and digital twins where applicable.
• Managing design programmes, resources, risks, and budgets to meet AMP8 delivery targets.
• Managing design risk assessments (HAZID, HAZOP) and ensuring safe-by-design principles in accordance with CDM Regulations.
• Collaborating with contractors, suppliers, and client teams to ensure designs are buildable, efficient, and aligned with delivery strategies.
• Supporting carbon reduction and sustainability objectives, including low-carbon materials, construction techniques, and whole-life optimisation.
• Contributing to bids, tenders, and framework opportunities within AMP8 and future investment cycles.
• Building and sustaining trusted client relationships as a reliable delivery partner.
• Mentoring and developing engineers and designers, building capability to meet AMP8 demands.

Skills

Design management

Wastewater

UK water sector

BIM ISO 19650

Civil engineering

Stakeholder engagement

NEC3/NEC4

Hydraulic modelling

Education

Civil Engineering degree

Chartered Engineer (e.g. MICE)

Tools

InfoWorks ICM

MicroDrainage

Job description

COWI is seeking a Design Manager (Wastewater Infrastructure) in the UK to lead and oversee the design and delivery of wastewater infrastructure projects through AMP8. You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams, drive TotEx-aligned design strategies, and ensure safe-by-design principles across CDM regulations.

Join a collaborative environment where BIM (ISO 19650) and digital engineering are embedded, with opportunities to mentor engineers, support bids, and build strong client relationships.